Land Use

Koshland Science Museum Global Warming Webquest

Using this Internet-based webquest activity, students will learn about climate change, energy use and global warming, including how scientists, business leaders and policy makers study and respond to climate change and how society and the environment will be impacted by global warming.

Energy Audit Toolkit

This toolkit created by Cool School Challenge is an in depth strategy to have students perform energy audits in schools in order to recommend changes in behaviors and practices to reduce energy consumption. This document includes suggestions on how to approach administration and community partners to get them involved. Use it to get ideas of how to pursue similar projects in your school. To see how this project looks in actions, visit coolschoolchallenge.org.

Investigating a Local Watershed

This Unit Outline allows students to explore a local watershed, where they learn basic ecological concepts, conduct scientific inquiries, understand the interdependence between science, technology, and mathematics in an urban community, develop competency in the use of technology equipment, and develop cooperative working relations. By using local resources, students will gain a better understanding and sense of ownership about the local environment and community. The Unit is designed for use in Life Science courses, but could link with other disciplines.

National Park Service Teacher to Ranger to Teacher Program

The Teacher to Ranger to Teacher (TRT) Program links National Parks with teachers from low income school districts. Selected teachers spend the summer working as park rangers. They perform duties including: developing and presenting interpretive programs, staffing visitor centers, or developing curriculum-based materials. Applications and deadlines vary by region. Find out which parks are participating and how to apply here.

Effects of Urban Growth

In the last decade, many areas in the Sunbelt region of the United States have experienced tremendous population growth. The growth can be a result of enticing media campaigns or lifestyle and employment opportunities that a city offers. Moving to these "boom towns" can be very beneficial for families. However, there are also drawbacks to rapid population increases within communities. This lesson focuses on the pros and cons of rapid growth and how community changes impact the residents and environments of these growing areas.

Genetically Modified Foods: From the Lab to the Dinner Table

This lesson is designed to expose students to the various issues surrounding GMO foods and to help them understand the complexity of the issues surrounding the biotechnology movement. Students can read two PBS NewsHour pieces, both of which involve a variety of perspectives surrounding the GMO issue. Additionally, students will try to identify GMO foods that they have consumed and discuss the "to label or not to label" debate.

Kids to Parks Day Class Contest

National Park Trust’s Kids to Parks Day Class Contest is calling for proposals from students exemplifying the theme “Explore outdoors, the parks are yours!” Win up to $1,000 to implement a Kids to Parks Day event during the week leading up to May 19th.

Teacher to Ranger to Teacher (TRT) Program

The Teacher to Ranger to Teacher (TRT) Program links National Park units with teachers from low income school districts. Under this program, selected teachers spend the summer working as park rangers, often living in the park. They perform various duties depending on their interests and the needs of the park, including developing and presenting interpretive programs for the general public, staffing the visitor center desk, developing curriculum-based materials for the park, or taking on special projects.

Wetlands Education

Wetlands Education is a website from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that contains numerous activities, curricula, programs, teaching tools, videos and links all about wetlands and their importance.

Holding on to the Green Zone

The Bureau of Land Management, in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Extension and the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, presents Holding on to the Green Zone: A Youth Program for the Study and Stewardship of Community Riparian Areas. The program engages students in activities to explore and understand the role and importance of riparian areas.

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