Subjects

Learn about our nation's fossils at home or in the classroom with these activities developed by education specialists in the National Park Service, fossil sites, and various museums. Some of these activities have a site-specific element that can be adapted for use at home or in the classroom. Virtual site visits are also available within the following resources. The National Park Service recommends visiting a local fossil site to create a similar outdoor experience.

This website provides NPS-developed teaching resources for many US National Parks. Resources vary by park but may include: field guides, photo guides, human history lessons, natural history lessons, timelines and other useful teaching materials. These materials can be used in preparation, during, or as a follow-up to a field trip in a park.

In this lesson, students will explore how maple sugaring began. Through an in-class demonstration, they will experience the ways pioneers and Indians produced sugar. Through stories and hands-on learning, they will come to appreciate the importance of maple sugaring in the pioneer culture. This lesson is best suited for grades K-3 and adheres to Pennsylvania State Science Standards.

This series of PowerPoints and hands-on activities from COSEE-NOW is designed for teachers to use in their classrooms to help discuss the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Teaches can decide which activities and topics to include, download the appropriate PowerPoint and then modify the PowerPoint according to thier grade level and the time available. Information for teachers is included in the notes section of each PowerPoint. The website also includes a link to sample unit plans.

"The National Parks: America’s Best Idea," is a six-episode documentary directed by Ken Burns. It is the story of an idea as uniquely American as the Declaration of Independence - and just as radical: that the most special places in the nation should be preserved, not for royalty or the rich, but for everyone. The series began on Sept. 27, 2009 on PBS. There are also lesson plans and activities based on the themes explored in the series available online.

Education about the Captive Wildlife Crisis – the causes of and potential solutions to - is critically important to the alleviation of suffering endured by millions of animals worldwide.  It may sound idealistic, but The Wild Animal Sanctuary wants to change social consciousness – so that people learn to understand that captive large carnivores do not make good pets…they are not entertainment…and their skins and body parts are not products.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary has an Education Center containing plenty of information, posters and videos about the animals, the Captive Wildlife Crisis, the kind of life provided for our rescued animals, what and how the animals are fed and a whole lot more.
 

Suitable for 5 to 16 year olds, ARKive’s free fun-packed teaching resources cover a range of key science and biology subjects including: adaptation, food chains, Darwin and natural selection, classification, identification, conservation and biodiversity.

These teaching resources include: classroom presentations, activities and handouts, teachers' notes as well as links to ARKive species profiles and scrapbooks.

About 2,000 animals from about 400 different species currently comprise the animal collection at the National Zoo and the Zoo's Conservation and Research Center (CRC) in Virginia. About one-fifth of the species are endangered or threatened.

From acouchi to zebra, the list of mammals found here comprise of many facts including home range, habitat, diet and more.

This online collection of articles written by scientists or practioners in the field contains a wide variety of topics including biodiversity, environment, and issues in education and also contains a lesson directory with extensive lessons by grade level on biodiversity and the environment.

The National Wildlife Federation’s "How-To Guide" for Schoolyard Habitats walks instructors through the necessary steps to create a successful and sustainable wildlife garden, provides information on teaching in an outdoor classroom and offers resources to help create and maintain a habitat.

The Nature Walk is part of the USDA's Stop the Beetle campaign, an educational program designed for states in which the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetle has proven an invasive pest. This animated video, targeted to 8-12 year olds, depicts the life cycle of the EAB beetle. Viewers learn about how the EAB beetle is an invasive pest and is threatening to ash trees. The video also presents ways for kids to help protect ash trees by spreading the word about not moving firewood.

About 2,000 animals from about 400 different species currently comprise the animal collection at the National Zoo and the Zoo's Conservation and Research Center (CRC) in Virginia. About one-fifth of the species are endangered or threatened.

Sea Education Association (SEA) Semester offers a database of K-12 lesson plans. Lessons are listed by grade level and topic, and many were designed by teachers who have participated in the SEA Experience program. Topics include marine biology, oceanography, nautical science and marine ecology. Lesson plans can be adapted to meet educational standards in math and science.

This website features curricular materials for a variety of environmental health topics by grade level.  At the secondary level, topics include alcohol, bacteria, disease transmission, toxicology, and air quality.  Materials also exist for the study of environmental justice, pesticides, risk management, and research. An additional feature includes resources available for student use.

Developed and maintained by the National Institute of Health, the website states that NIEHS “supported the development of standards-based curricular materials that use environmental health as an integrative context for learning.”

About 2,000 animals from about 400 different species currently comprise the animal collection at the National Zoo and the Zoo's Conservation and Research Center (CRC) in Virginia. About one-fifth of the species are endangered or threatened.

In this lesson, students learn about decomposition and building healthy soil.  Using this knowledge, students then plant a garden.  This lesson can be modified for almost all grade levels and adheres to the following National Science Standards: Physical Science - Properties and changes of properties in matter, Structure and properties of matter; Life Science - Life cycles of organisms; Earth and Space Science - Properties of earth materials.

This site offers links to several fact sheets about common insect pests; these include pests found in household and pantry settings, vegetable plants and fruit trees, ornamental plants, Christmas trees, and field crops.

Insect pests are listed by common name.  These fact sheets provide more comprehensive descriptions about insect appearance, habitat, life cycle, types of damage, and control.  You can also print out a PDF version of the fact sheet by selecting the top link on the right-hand side of the fact sheet webpage. This resource is provided by the Virginia Tech Department of Entomology's Insect Identification Lab and the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

In this lesson plan from National Geographic Xpeditions, students learn about the medical benefits of two species of marine animals, Bugula neritina and the horseshoe crab. The students conclude by writing speeches about the relationship between ocean health and human health. The lesson is appropriate for grades 3-5 and adheres to National Geography Standards.

About 2,000 animals from about 400 different species currently comprise the animal collection at the National Zoo and the Zoo's Conservation and Research Center (CRC) in Virginia. About one-fifth of the species are endangered or threatened.

In this lesson, students plant an herb garden.  This lesson can be modified for almost all grade levels and adheres to the following National Science Standards: Life Science - The characteristics of organisms, Reproduction and heredity.

The Gulf of Mexico Deep-Sea Ecosystem Education Materials Collection, developed by NOAA's Office of Exploration and Research, is comprised of an Educators' Guide and 16 lesson plans on deep-sea ecosystems and exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. The lessons in this collection touch on physical science, life science and Earth science topics and offer many opportunities for cross-curricular activities involving social studies, language arts, mathematics and fine arts.

This lesson provides students with an overview of some endangered species and the ways that human activities contribute to species endangerment.  This lesson is designed to provide students with a sense of optimism and to help them figure out ways they can help protect species.  Students will be asked to devise their own species protection plans.  This lesson is best suited for grades 3-5 and adheres to National Geography Education Standards.

More and more people are discovering the joy of feeding birds around their homes. Birds add color, sound, and drama to a backyard or patio. Different birds are always coming and going, depending on the season and weather conditions.

If you're interested in learning more about feeding birds safely and appropriately, check out the link below for resources can help you!

Photo Credit:  USFWS

This activity guide is designed to provide teachers with a resource for incorporating the study of aquatic science, and specifically fishes, into their existing curricula. The guide is appropriate for grades K-8 and adheres to Illinois Learning Standards and National Science Education Standards.

Stop the Beetle is a program from the USDA designed for states in which the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetle has proven an invasive pest. This program gives educators information about the beetle, and provides activities for youth (geared to 8-12 year olds) regarding how to address this invasive species. View a printable file of The Nature Walk activities book here.

The program also includes Stop the Beetle: NOW! activities, which are designed for outdoor, scouting, school and summer programs. E-mail [email protected] to order your free kits. The website also includes an animated video, online game, and many more printable activities.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) supports educators in using the built environment as the context for learning. Resources on a variety of Green Building topics can be found on their website.

"Once Upon A Tide" is a short, educational film that was developed as part of the Healthy Oceans, Healthy Humans project of the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School. The film was produced for schools, museums, aquariums and theaters to help people understand that all life on Earth, including our own, depends on the ocean. The film's website includes educational "take-away" guides for viewers and curricula for teachers addressing how the ocean heals, sustains and nourishes us. The lesson plans are appropriate for grades 3-5 and align with National Science Education Standards.

NOAA's Ocean Service Education website provides educational games, resources, projects and activities for students as well as lesson plans, curricula and professional development for teachers.

In this lesson plan students become dendrochronologists - tree ring scientists. The lesson introduces Methuselah, an ancient bristlecone pine that has lived more than 4,600 years. Students learn how scientists determine the age of living and non-living trees through a hands-on activity comparing paper versions of tree rings with each other.  Tree rings vary in thickness due to water availability in a growing season.  This lesson can easily link up with both climate and water lessons.

This lesson is correlated to National Science content standards.

In this lesson, students build garden structures to experiment with the different ways (and directions) plants grow.  This lesson can be modified for almost all grade levels and adheres to the following National Science Standards: Life Science - The characteristics of organisms, Structure and function in living systems, as well as the following National Math Standards: Geometry - Use visualization, spatial reasoning, and geometric modeling to solve problems; Measurement - Understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and processes of measurement; Connections - Recognize and apply mathematics in contexts outside of mathematics.

In this lesson, students differentiate between native and nonnative plants and learn about how exotic species can harm native species.  They then survey the school yard to determine if plants and animals are native to the area and ultimately plant their own native garden.  This lesson is best suited for 3rd-5th graders and adheres to most State Science Standards.  See 'State Standards' link on the lesson plan page for specific state information.

To stimulate the effect of acid rain on plant life, students to set up a lab experiment to compare the effect of varying levels of acidity on plant seedlings and seed germination.

Industries and motor vehicles produce gaseous oxides of nitrogen and sulfur. For example nitrogen and oxygen in the air can combine under high-temperature engine condi­tions to produce nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). The equation for the reaction is:

N₂ + 20₂ --> 2NO₂.

Sulfides in fuels can combine with oxygen to make sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and sulfur trioxide (SO₃). Such oxides combine with water in the atmosphere to make acids. For example, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur trioxide combine with water. They form nitric acid (HNO₃) and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), respectively. The equations for these reactions are:

• 3NO₂ + H₂0 ---> 2HNO₃ + NO
• SO₃ + H₂0 ---> H₂SO₄.

The presence of these acids causes rain to be acidic. Acid rain damages trees, crops, and buildings. It can make lakes so acidic that fish cannot survive. In this investigation, students will moisten seeds and seedlings with acidic solutions and then observe how many seeds germinate and how well the seedlings grow.

Background

The acidity of solutions is measured using the pH scale, which extends from 1 to 14. The pH of a solution is defined as the negative of the logarithm of the hydrogen-ion concentra­tion (-log [H+]). For example, [H+] in pure water is 1.0 x 10^-7. The pH of pure water is therefore -log (1.0 x 10^-7), or 7. The pH of acidic solutions is less than 7, and that of basic solutions is greater than 7. The lower the pH below 7, the more acidic is the solution.

MATERIALS (per group)

* Seeds and Seedlings
* Filter Paper and Petri Dishes
* pH Solutions (6.0, 4.0, 2.0) and Droppers

Procedure

Effect of pH on Seed Germination

1.   Label 3 petri dishes for each pH solution.

2. Place filter paper in each the petri dish with 10 seeds. Cover the seeds with another piece of filter paper. Use a dropper to moisten the filter paper through all layers with the appropriate pH solution. Put the dishes in a sealed plastic bag and place them in a dark place.

3.   Four days later, count the number of seeds that have germinated.

4.   Measure the root length of each of the seedlings. Record observations about seedling condition (color and overall growth and appearance of seedling leaves).

5.   Tally class averages for each pH for germination and root length. Graph your data and the class averages. Photograph seedlings.

Effect of pH on Seedling Growth

1.   Label seedlings pots with each of the pH solutions.

2.   Measure stem and leaf lengths of seedlings. Take photos of plants.

3.   Water the seedlings and moisten the soil each day with the appropriate pH solution each day for two weeks.

4.   Measure stem and leaf lengths at the end of the week. Compile class data. Calculate averages and graph data. Take photos of plants.

5.   Observe leaf color, lesions and spotting on leafs and stems, presence of dead leafs, and any other signs of damage.

Data Analysis: Construct tables and graphs for data. Write a discussion of the data answering the following questions.

1.   What relationship did you see between seed germination and pH? Between seedling growth and damage and pH?

2.   Some rain has been found to be as acidic as pH 2.8. Given what you have observed, what is the likely effect on seed ger­mination, growth rates and plant reproduction?
 

This lab can be used as a part of an AP Environmental Science Class.

Contributed by: Paula Wang, Sidwell Friends School

For additional information, click here.

The Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) Central Gulf of Mexico website offers a database of lesson plans created by teacher participants with the COSEE Central Gulf of Mexico project. The lesson plans are organized under three broad subject areas: habitats and organisms, coastal processes and marine technology. Lesson plans are available for grades K-12 and adhere to Ocean Science Literacy Standards and National Science Education Standards.

This lesson plan was developed by LaMotte Company for middle schools. It aligns chemical water quality monitoring with National Science Education Standards. It provides background information, suggestions for how to prepare, step-by-step instructions, and assessment ideas.

In this lesson, students plant and tend a wildflower.  This lesson can be modified for almost all grade levels and adheres to the following National Science Standards: Life Science - The characteristics of organisms, Organisms and environments, Populations and ecosystems, Diversity and adaptations of organisms.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium offers an array of educational resources for educators looking to bring marine science into the classroom. Curricula and activities are organized by subject area and align to California and national standards. Games and interactive activities are also available online for students.

Students can follow a research team as they discover how Weddell seals survive one of the harshest environments on the planet, Antarctica. The scientists post weekly updates of their research including video and sound clips, graphics and text. The program gives students the opportunity to experience science in action.

FLOW is a comprehensive curriculum about the Great Lakes ecosystem with three core units: Food Web, Water and Fish. Geared toward upper elementary and middle school educators, standards-based lesson content features hands-on activities. Fun and engaging materials are available for free download.

Idaho’s Environmental Health Education and Assessment program has developed award-winning environmental health lesson plans for Idaho school children. They address multiple subject areas across all grade levels and are aligned with Idaho's state exiting standards. These lessons address environmental health issues ranging from the accumulation of pollution in fish to computing cancer risks, and are suitable for grades K-12.

Esri's website provides several data sets and lesson plans using GIS technologies applied in physical and earth sciences. The lesson plans cover areas from earthquakes, tsunamis and tectonic plates to watershed dynamics. Also included are labs that focus on gathering GPS data so students are exposed to the data-collection aspect of GIS technologies. The lesson plans offer data for a variety of software, including ArcView, ArcVoyager, AV 3x Spatial Analyst, and inexpensive or free web browsers for compatibility with school resources.

In this lesson, students learn about native pollinators and their habitat needs and collect the necessary information for creating such a habitat in their schoolyard.  This lesson adheres to National Life Science Education Standards.

These lab activities, developed by the US Forest Service, are supplemental activities for grades K-12 that can be used in any science or interdisciplinary class. The guide includes hands-on, data gathering laboratory exercises, as well as games, quizzes and a glossary of additional resources.  The activities may be adapted to meet content standards in math and science.

Fairfax Water, Virginia's largest water utility, has an educational resources page for both students and educators. Included among the many activities for students are features such as "The Story of Water" which includes games for students, and "The Full Treatment" which takes students through the water treatment process. While student project and grants programs are only available to Virginia residents, the online resources are engaging learning tools for all.

Students will learn about greenhouse pollutants.  They will examine how these pollutants either intensify or are intensified by the urban heat islands effects.  This lesson is best suited for grades 5-6 and adheres to Utah State Core Objectives.

The Gulf of Mexico Deep-Sea Ecosystem Education Materials Collection, developed by NOAA's Office of Exploration and Research, is comprised of an Educators' Guide and 16 lesson plans on deep-sea ecosystems and exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. The lessons in this collection touch on physical science, life science and Earth science topics and offer many opportunities for cross-curricular activities involving social studies, language arts, mathematics and fine arts.

NOAA's Ocean Service Education website provides educational games, resources, projects and activities for students as well as lesson plans, curricula and professional development for teachers.

EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water's site provides information on local drinking water quality and the protection of our sources of drinking water. The Drinking Water For Kids section also provides activities for students and teachers, including a Water Filtration activity to demonstrate a procedure for purifying drinking water and and interactive instructions for the activity.

To stimulate the effect of acid rain on plant life, students to set up a lab experiment to compare the effect of varying levels of acidity on plant seedlings and seed germination.

Industries and motor vehicles produce gaseous oxides of nitrogen and sulfur. For example nitrogen and oxygen in the air can combine under high-temperature engine condi­tions to produce nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). The equation for the reaction is:

N₂ + 20₂ --> 2NO₂.

Sulfides in fuels can combine with oxygen to make sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and sulfur trioxide (SO₃). Such oxides combine with water in the atmosphere to make acids. For example, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur trioxide combine with water. They form nitric acid (HNO₃) and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), respectively. The equations for these reactions are:

• 3NO₂ + H₂0 ---> 2HNO₃ + NO
• SO₃ + H₂0 ---> H₂SO₄.

The presence of these acids causes rain to be acidic. Acid rain damages trees, crops, and buildings. It can make lakes so acidic that fish cannot survive. In this investigation, students will moisten seeds and seedlings with acidic solutions and then observe how many seeds germinate and how well the seedlings grow.

Background

The acidity of solutions is measured using the pH scale, which extends from 1 to 14. The pH of a solution is defined as the negative of the logarithm of the hydrogen-ion concentra­tion (-log [H+]). For example, [H+] in pure water is 1.0 x 10^-7. The pH of pure water is therefore -log (1.0 x 10^-7), or 7. The pH of acidic solutions is less than 7, and that of basic solutions is greater than 7. The lower the pH below 7, the more acidic is the solution.

MATERIALS (per group)

* Seeds and Seedlings
* Filter Paper and Petri Dishes
* pH Solutions (6.0, 4.0, 2.0) and Droppers

Procedure

Effect of pH on Seed Germination

1.   Label 3 petri dishes for each pH solution.

2. Place filter paper in each the petri dish with 10 seeds. Cover the seeds with another piece of filter paper. Use a dropper to moisten the filter paper through all layers with the appropriate pH solution. Put the dishes in a sealed plastic bag and place them in a dark place.

3.   Four days later, count the number of seeds that have germinated.

4.   Measure the root length of each of the seedlings. Record observations about seedling condition (color and overall growth and appearance of seedling leaves).

5.   Tally class averages for each pH for germination and root length. Graph your data and the class averages. Photograph seedlings.

Effect of pH on Seedling Growth

1.   Label seedlings pots with each of the pH solutions.

2.   Measure stem and leaf lengths of seedlings. Take photos of plants.

3.   Water the seedlings and moisten the soil each day with the appropriate pH solution each day for two weeks.

4.   Measure stem and leaf lengths at the end of the week. Compile class data. Calculate averages and graph data. Take photos of plants.

5.   Observe leaf color, lesions and spotting on leafs and stems, presence of dead leafs, and any other signs of damage.

Data Analysis: Construct tables and graphs for data. Write a discussion of the data answering the following questions.

1.   What relationship did you see between seed germination and pH? Between seedling growth and damage and pH?

2.   Some rain has been found to be as acidic as pH 2.8. Given what you have observed, what is the likely effect on seed ger­mination, growth rates and plant reproduction?
 

This lab can be used as a part of an AP Environmental Science Class.

Contributed by: Paula Wang, Sidwell Friends School

For additional information, click here.

This lesson plan was developed by LaMotte Company for middle schools. It aligns chemical water quality monitoring with National Science Education Standards. It provides background information, suggestions for how to prepare, step-by-step instructions, and assessment ideas.

The Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) Central Gulf of Mexico website offers a database of lesson plans created by teacher participants with the COSEE Central Gulf of Mexico project. The lesson plans are organized under three broad subject areas: habitats and organisms, coastal processes and marine technology. Lesson plans are available for grades K-12 and adhere to Ocean Science Literacy Standards and National Science Education Standards.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium offers an array of educational resources for educators looking to bring marine science into the classroom. Curricula and activities are organized by subject area and align to California and national standards. Games and interactive activities are also available online for students.

Spill's Effects Underwater is a webpage of visuals from the New York Times that illustrate the effects of oil underwater.

The Bering Sea Ecosystem Collection from PolarTREC is a body of educational resources focused on understanding the impacts of climate change and dynamic sea ice over the eastern Bering Sea ecosystem. The collection includes individual activities, lesson plans, videos and presentations that will help to educate the next generation about this complex ecosystem.

National Geographic's Education Network is an online service that offers educators resources, news and professional development opportunities. The Our Environment & Oceans for Life website offers educators a host of ocean-related resources including classroom materials and relevant information on ocean science from experts in the field. Their Ocean Literacy materials are aligned to National Geography and Environmental Science Standards.

This supplement to Oceanography magazine focuses on educational approaches to help engage students in learning and offers a collection of hands-on/minds-on activities for teaching physical concepts that are fundamental in oceanography. These key concepts include density, pressure, buoyancy, heat and temperature and gravity waves. The supplement includes hands-on activities which can be adapted to suit middle and high school classes.

In this lesson plan from National Geographic Xpeditions, students learn about some of the important discoveries that oceanographers have made and some areas that they are still investigating. Students make posters explaining how oceanography is important and how it's used. The lesson is appropriate for grades 3-5 and adheres to National Geography Standards.

What is GIS?

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide useful and creative ways to advance our understanding of the world. GIS technologies allow us to visualize data spatially through maps and can be applied to topics such as land use, population dynamics, geological features, and wildlife distribution. Most GIS analytical software use data from GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) devices or digitalized maps, aerial photography and satellite images.

Why is it important to the environment?

With GIS, we are able to not only visualize data geospatially to more accurately impose data on maps, but also compare data over several years easily, which furthers our understanding of topics like climate change, deforestation, human density, energy emmissions and other major environmental issues. Below are some examples of how GIS can transform how we approach certain environmental topics.

Examples of GIS use:

• Land managers across the country are using GIS to evaluate watershed dynamics and human effects on natural resources. In one of Classroom Earth's posted resources, students can use GIS as land managers might to evaluate a watershed in Montana. You can access this resource here.

• Biologists in the field use GIS to understand ecosystems dynamically to predict how global climate change might impact systems. Click here to read more.

• Policy makers in East Africa are using GIS maps to understand elephant migration so that land can used for human purposes without intruding on migration corridors for both the safety of people and the environment. Click here to see how the African Wildlife Foundation is collecting the data.

• Environmental health specialists use GIS to track sources of potential contamination, such as oil refineries and large agricultural sites. Click here to learn more about how the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is using the technology.

To learn more about GIS and find ways to incorporate these technologies into your lesson plans, visit the GIS resources in the Classroom Earth resource library.

Using GIS in your classroom:

There are several ways to incorporate GIS technologies into your classroom, depending on your school’s technology resources. Highlighted in our resource library are several lesson plans that use “ArcGIS Explorer,” which is a free program that allows you to view GIS files included in the activities. This software needs to be run on a Windows operating system. Also on this site, you will find a datasets and a tutorial to familiarize yourself with this GIS software.

There are various other GIS programs available for purchase. These, however, are not required for most of the lesson plans provided in our “Resources” section. If the resources are available, ArcView ($1000 – $1500) and other similar programs allow you to create your own maps with information gathered by GPS devices ($100 - $500) and other geographical data. For a tutorial on ArcView, here is a document put together by the USGS.

For more information on GIS, be sure to visit these websites:

The Guide to GIS
ESRI, Inc. (Leading GIS software producer)
USGS National Geospatial Program

Earth Gauge, a program of the National Environmental Education Foundation, provides meteorologists across the country with environmental tips to include within their forecasts. This information can be utilized by educators in the classroom as well.

National Geographic provides information, news stories, photo galleries, quizzes and other resources to help raise awareness of the ocean and critical issues impacting it. Resources specifically designed for kids and educators are also available, including interviews with ocean explorers.

The Earth Gauge fact sheets cover various weather issues by region. A list of weather awareness events is also available. Developed by the National Environmental Education Foundation.

The United States Global Change Research Program provides two climate change resources for educators. The Climate Literacy: Essential Principles of Climate Sciences guide presents basic information on Earth’s climate, the impacts of climate change and approaches for adapting and mitigating change. The Wildlife and Wildlands Toolkit provides information about the impact of climate change on flora and fauna on public lands across the United States.

Fairfax Water, Virginia's largest water utility, has an educational resources page for both students and educators. Included among the many activities for students are features such as "The Story of Water" which includes games for students, and "The Full Treatment" which takes students through the water treatment process. While student project and grants programs are only available to Virginia residents, the online resources are engaging learning tools for all.

Students follow directions and make envelopes and drinking cups out of copy paper with printing on one side. They learn why recycling is important to the Earth, and about multiple uses for used copy paper. This lesson adheres to National Fine Arts, Mathematics, and Science Standards.

Water Science for Schools, created by the U.S. Geological Survey, offers information on a variety of water-related subjects including pictures, data, and maps. The site provides an interactive center where students can voice opinions and test their water knowledge. Portions of the website are available in Spanish and Chinese, and The Water Cycle diagram is available in over 60 languages. While at the USGS website, check out their page of water-related resources for educators, and their Water Education Posters, available in English and Spanish.

In this lesson, students learn about the importance of forests and vegetation in preventing soil erosion caused by water. They construct a hill that slopes gently from one end of the pan to the other and predict what will happen when the group sprinkles water on its hill. They compare their results and formulate a hypothesis, as a class. This lesson is best suited for grades 3-6 and adheres to Oklahoma Science, Math, Reading and Visual Literacy Standards.

In this lesson, students learn about decomposition and building healthy soil.  Using this knowledge, students then plant a garden.  This lesson can be modified for almost all grade levels and adheres to the following National Science Standards: Physical Science - Properties and changes of properties in matter, Structure and properties of matter; Life Science - Life cycles of organisms; Earth and Space Science - Properties of earth materials.

In this lesson, students survey the area around their school to determine if there is any erosion and what is causing it.  Based on this observation, they then find the best place for a school garden and pond and recognize the value of planting on areas where there is soil erosion.  This lesson is best suited for 4th graders and adheres to Canadian Fourth Grade Curriculum Expectations.

Earth Gauge has a collection of short (under a minute) videos to augment a variety of environmental lessons. Preview and download short, broadcast quality video clips on a range climate topics. Each clip is accompanied by a web preview and suggested script.

Earth Gauge video clips may be freely used on-air, online, in community outreach and in educational settings.

Deep Earth Academy, developed by the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, is a website that facilitates and developes programs and materials based on scientific ocean drilling expeditions and Earth Systems Science to strengthen students' science, mathematics and analytical skills. The website includes curriuculm and classroom activities, videos, posters, books and more.

In this lesson plan from National Geographic Xpeditions, students become familiar with some of the latest discoveries in ocean research. Students complete their research by creating a "museum" exhibit about ocean exploration and by suggesting questions for future research. Appropriate for grades 3-5 and adheres to National Geography Standards.

Students use a thermometer to measure the air temperature in several places around the school and then return to the classroom to graph the data. In addition, students will grow three plants in different amounts of sunlight and record their growth.  This lesson includes ties to Utah Math and Science Standards.

The Gulf of Mexico Deep-Sea Ecosystem Education Materials Collection, developed by NOAA's Office of Exploration and Research, is comprised of an Educators' Guide and 16 lesson plans on deep-sea ecosystems and exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. The lessons in this collection touch on physical science, life science and Earth science topics and offer many opportunities for cross-curricular activities involving social studies, language arts, mathematics and fine arts.

Encourage your students to develop reading comprehension skills with Earth Gauge Climate Fact sheets and backgrounders. Students learn the basics of how climate and weather systems work, how changes in climate impact them and what scientists are doing to learn more. These peer-reviewed based fact sheets cover topics including climate in Earth's distant past, climate and agriculture, extreme weather, climate modeling and oceans.

There is also an opportunity to receive weekly climate facts by adding the Earth Gauge Climate Facts Widget to your Web site.

This award winning video is designed to accompany the Streamkeepers Field Guide, part of the educational materials produced by The Adopt a Stream Foundation. This video is designed in 3 parts to generate interest in watershed and streams. It is narrated by Bill Nye, “the Science Guy”. The first part deals with the hydrologic cycle, the second segment deals with monitoring streams, and the final segment has some action suggestions. Though somewhat dated (1997), this video should have value for introductory ecology and/or environmental science classes.

These videos must be purchased from the Streamkeepers' Nature Store. Follow the link at the bottom of this description to view the catalog. Prices for videos range from $5.00 to $35.00.

Students explore causes and effects of oil spills and contaminations. They experience first-hand the feel of oil spills, determine an environmental problem that affects their community, and develop an "action plan" to minimize risk to wildlife.  This lesson is best suited for grades 3-5, and adheres to National Geography Standards.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) supports educators in using the built environment as the context for learning. Resources on a variety of Green Building topics can be found on their website.

Earth Gauge® is a free environmental information service for broadcast meteorologists based on the 3-5 day forecast. The service is designed to make it easy to talk about the links between weather and the environment with simple facts and viewer action tips. The Climate Resource Library includes tips, fact sheets and news stories regarding climate change that are science-based and appropriate for use in the classroom.

NOAA's Ocean Explorer program fosters collaboration between ocean explorers and teachers to increase ocean literacy. The website provides lesson plans and curricula as well as Expedition Education Modules -- units that contain information on expeditions, lesson plans, career connections and other resources -- and Multimedia Discovery Missions, which are interactive presentations and activities. The site also provides information on professional development opportunities for teachers.

This lesson, designed for grades 3-5, focuses on the processes of the water cycle and provides a context for teaching about fresh water conservation. Students will observe water in its three phases, visit a website to investigate the steps of the water cycle, design a model of the water cycle, create a water cycle poster, and learn a song about the water cycle to reinforce the concept. The lesson is correlated to the Benchmarks for Science Literacy and was created by Science NetLinks, a program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

This resource is a general guideline for teaching students about garden companions.  Students learn about plant families and what plants have similar nutrient needs, attract or repel the same types of insects, are susceptible to similar diseases, etc.  In addition, students can design their own edible landscape based on a more artistic view of a garden.  This lesson can be modified for almost all grade levels, and adheres to the following National Science Standards: Life Science - The characteristics of organisms, Populations and ecosystems, Interdependence of organisms.

In this lesson plan from the Aquarium of the Pacific, students learn about how different surfaces on Earth retain heat by testing the capacity of water versus soil. The lesson is appropriate for students in 5th grade and can be adapted to meet state and national science standards.

The University of Minnesota has partnered with National Geographic to develop this innovate GIS mapping tool for educators. This website will help teachers use real data to convey how decisions are made and better understand geographical impacts on society. For example, using seismic data and density populations, students can apply information to determine the safest place to build a hospital in San Fransisco. The program also offers lessons in a variety of other environmental issues, such as biodiversity, energy and pollution.

Operated by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Living in the Greenhouse provides a wealth of information about the global climate. Students can explore how Earth's cycles affect climate, the greenhouse effect and greenhouse gases, ancient climate changes and climate events and news.

This CD-ROM is a collection of 41 classroom activities, assembled by educators in the COSDD Great Lakes Project that provides teachers, non-formal educators and students in grades 4-10 with insights into the uniqueness of the Great Lakes and their influence on aquatic life and human populations.

Earth Gauge provides environmental and climate knowledge to broadcast meteorologists in order to increase the public's knowledge to make environmentally informed decisions. The website provides facts and information relating climate to a number of topics, including oceans.

NOAA's Ocean Service Education website provides educational games, resources, projects and activities for students as well as lesson plans, curricula and professional development for teachers.

These featured activities were developed by Earth Day Network in support of EE Week's 2009 Be Water Wise! theme. You will need Adobe Reader in order to view these files. For a free download of Adobe Reader, click here.

Filtering Water is a lesson in water scarcity and the need to protect our water resources. In this activity, students build their own water filters.
Melting Mountains explores the effects of climate change on our water resources.
Carrying Water engages students in a personal water audit and a comparison of their own water use with that of a student living in Kenya.

This website provides NPS-developed teaching resources for many US National Parks. Resources vary by park but may include: field guides, photo guides, human history lessons, natural history lessons, timelines and other useful teaching materials. These materials can be used in preparation, during, or as a follow-up to a field trip in a park.

The Groundwater Foundation seeks to motivate people to care for and about groundwater by focusing on groundwater education and outreach. Many resources for educators (such as coloring sheets, activity pages, lesson plans, and puzzles) can be found at their Kids Corner. The newly released activity guide, "Be Water Wise in School: Science that Impacts Your Campus," combines water education and service-learning.

In this lesson, students learn how to use natural fertilizers and pesticides in their own organic vegetable garden.  They also learn about the negative effects of the misuse of unnatural chemicals.  Students must determine what vegetables are best suited to grow in their area and select the appropriate location and soil.  This lesson is best suited for 5th-9th graders and adheres to National Science Education Standards.

This Science Education Resource Center (SERC) Site Guide offers a general collection of climate change resources for educators while highlighting relevant resources from projects within websites hosted by SERC. Resources are arranged by categories, including websites and data sets, teaching activities, visualizations, courses, workshops and upcoming opportunities for educators.

NOAA's Office of Education provides a list of resources that are easily accessible via the Web. The list includes educational resources, data and multimedia dealing with ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, weather and climate sciences.

EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water's site provides information on local drinking water quality and the protection of our sources of drinking water. The Drinking Water For Kids section also provides activities for students and teachers, including a Water Filtration activity to demonstrate a procedure for purifying drinking water and and interactive instructions for the activity.

The USGS and the American Geological Institute have partnered to make a GIS database readily available to educators and the general public in a CD or DVD-format. This data highlights natural hazards, population growth, water resources, and mineral distribution that can provide real-life examples of lessons you may be highlighting in your classroom. The website also offers a few tips on how to include the datasets into classroom activities.

WaterSense is a partnership program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that provides a trusted label to water efficient products for use in homes and businesses. The WaterSense educational materials provide learning resources for Fix A Leak Week for grades 3-5 as well as A Day in the Life of a Drop, a set of activities designed to help students in grades 3-5 understand the way their water use impacts the environment and human health. Resources and activities can be downloaded from the website.

This USGS portal provides information and links to lesson plans that utilize aerial photography, maps and GIS. There is a GIS-Based Lessons section including topics such as Exploring the Titanic, Analyzing Hurricanes and Exploring World Demography. There is also an Activities and Lessons for Exporing the Earth section, with activities not requiring GIS.

EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds presents the Watershed Academy. Local watershed organizations, municipal leaders, and others are invited to sign up for these free, on-line Webcast training sessions. Past webcast topics include: Rain Gardens; Water, Energy, and Climate Change; Smart Growth and Green Infrastructure; Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring; and many others. Archived Webcasts are available and free to download.

The Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) Central Gulf of Mexico website offers a database of lesson plans created by teacher participants with the COSEE Central Gulf of Mexico project. The lesson plans are organized under three broad subject areas: habitats and organisms, coastal processes and marine technology. Lesson plans are available for grades K-12 and adhere to Ocean Science Literacy Standards and National Science Education Standards.

The Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS) web site, developed by the University of Rhode Island's Office of Marine Programs in partnership with Marine Acoustics, Inc. of Middletown, RI, will provide an introduction to the science and uses of Sound in the Sea. The site provides classroom and educator resources for teachers, as well as resources for students and the media.

One can also look through audio, technology and scientist galleries to learn about different marine sounds and how they are discovered and used.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium offers an array of educational resources for educators looking to bring marine science into the classroom. Curricula and activities are organized by subject area and align to California and national standards. Games and interactive activities are also available online for students.

Esri's website provides several data sets and lesson plans using GIS technologies applied in physical and earth sciences. The lesson plans cover areas from earthquakes, tsunamis and tectonic plates to watershed dynamics. Also included are labs that focus on gathering GPS data so students are exposed to the data-collection aspect of GIS technologies. The lesson plans offer data for a variety of software, including ArcView, ArcVoyager, AV 3x Spatial Analyst, and inexpensive or free web browsers for compatibility with school resources.

ARKive is an initiative that strives to promote conservation of threatened species through wildlife imagery. Through a partnership with Google and Google Earth, ARKive has created a layer within Google Earth Oceans focusing on hundreds of marine species around the world. Students can explore the globe and click on a link to learn more about a species by accessing ARKive's database of images, videos and information.

In this lesson plan from National Geographic Xpeditions, students learn about the processes that drive geysers and the uniquely adapted animals that live near hydrothermal vents. The lesson is appropriate for grades 3-5 and adheres to National Geography Standards.

This educator's guide includes several activities based on the Disneynature film OCEANS. The guide includes activities that can be done with or without viewing the film, building on themes introduced in the film. The lessons meet National Science Education Standards and include activities appropriate for grades 2-6.

NASA provides educational resources on weather, climate and oceanic science for learners of all ages, including games, puzzles and facts for kids and resources, books, lesson plans and classroom activities for educators.

This extensive curriculum created by NOAA’s National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS), focuses on comprehensive lessons and activities addressing estuarine environments. The curriculum contains sections on life science, earth science, and physical science and includes activities from assessing nutrients and biodiversity to analyzing salinity, extreme weather, and human impacts. This website also contains information on how to get involved with field trips to NERRS sites to enhance the educational experience.

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System offers educators lesson plans and classroom activities as well as professional development and student programs focused on the diverse and dynamic environments of estuaries.

Science with NOAA Research is a joint effort of NOAA and the College of Education at the University of South Alabama. The goal of the site is to provide middle school science students and teachers with research and investigation experiences using online resources. Topics includes El Niño, Storms, Atmosphere, Fisheries, Great Lakes and Oceans. Activity books can be downloaded from the website.

Provides a series of interactive presentations of different water related topics, including the water cycle, ground and surface water and using water wisely. Printable resources include coloring books and lesson plans for elementary, middle and high school levels titled "Raising Your Water IQ." The lesson plans address water issues in Texas but also include the study of groundwater, surface water, watersheds, water conservation and water availability.

The NEED Project provides an extensive library of standards-based curricula for teachers of grades K-12. Examples of the many resources teachers can download are: free lessons on wind energy in four levels, hands-on solar kits, energy infobooks in four levels, energy efficiency and conservation lesson plans, curricula on saving energy for students and families, and transportation fuels lessons. Several NEED lessons also feature connections to language arts, geography and economics. Lessons are available for all grade levels K-12 and adhere to National Science Education Standards.

This curriculum unit from the Center for Health and Global Environmental Change at Harvard Medical School aims to begin cultivating food literacy among middle and upper elementary students. By the end of the unit, students should be able to explain how food supply chains for food systems depend on and impact the natural environment. Lesson plans are appopriate for grades 5-8 and align with National Science Standards and Thematic Strands in Social Studies.

This New York Times article explores how the surge in electricity-consuming gadgets, including cellphones, iPods and personal computers, has led to greater energy consumption. The article also discusses the role of the government, industry and trade organizations on energy usage.

Written in 1990 after the Exxon Valdez oil spill and updated in 2007, this curriculum provides materials for grades K-3, 4-6 and 7-12, as well as a list of several articles, books and other educational resources. The materials were developed by the Prince William Sound Science Center, the Prince William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory Council and the Prince William Sound Community College. Lesson plans can be adapted to meet standards in math, science, social studies, language arts, economics, technology, engineering, consumer science, art, music and geography.

This New York Times article explores the emerging alternative energy industry and how it relies on another resource, water, to function. The article can be used to discuss the societal aspects of alternative energy and resource limitations, such as conflicting interests between the public and industry and economic implications. It can also be used to explore the subjects of alternative energy technology and engineering.

The Coral Reef Teacher's Guide from Reef Relief, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting living coral reef ecosystems, provides lesson plans for grades K-12 on coral reefs. The lesson plans are spirally integrated with each grade level, building upon the previous one. The lesson plans can be adapted to meet educational standards in math, science, language arts, art, geography and social science.

"Running Dry" educational resources consist of two topic areas, the Colorado River Basin and water-related health issues. Students explore and debate the environmental and political issues of the Colorado River Basin and analyze their personal water usage, the global impacts of water issues and other water-quality topics.

Bridge Ocean Education Teacher Resource Center offers K-12 teachers a large selection of marine education resources, including lesson plans, information on research and data, professional development opportunities and grants and awards. The site also provides information on careers and colleges and universities for students that may be interested in learning more about marine science.

Students explain the processes involved in the cleansing and purifying of surface water. After a lecture and demonstration, students engage in an experiment that illustrates how water is cleansed before we drink it. This lesson is best suited for grades 4-8, and adheres to National Science Education Standards.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) has prepared webpage on the April 20, 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The webpage includes updates on FWS's response efforts as well as maps, fact sheets, photos, videos and information on the oil spill. Visitors to the site will also learn how FWS is mitigating the spill's effects on local habitat and wildlife and what citizens can do to help. Links to the websites of other federal agencies are also available, which provide further information on response efforts. 
 

A resource of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program.

Earth 911 delivers information on recycling and product stewardship that empowers consumers to act locally, live responsibly and contribute to sustainability. Earth 911 provides a guide to recycling at many different levels within the local community, and would be a great source for anyone looking to learn more or to teach about recycling.

Students identify local birds and their habitats by making a diorama with a description.  This lesson is best suited for grades 1-2 and adheres to Pennsylvania State Environment and Ecology Standards.
 

What is GIS?

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide useful and creative ways to advance our understanding of the world. GIS technologies allow us to visualize data spatially through maps and can be applied to topics such as land use, population dynamics, geological features, and wildlife distribution. Most GIS analytical software use data from GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) devices or digitalized maps, aerial photography and satellite images.

Why is it important to the environment?

With GIS, we are able to not only visualize data geospatially to more accurately impose data on maps, but also compare data over several years easily, which furthers our understanding of topics like climate change, deforestation, human density, energy emmissions and other major environmental issues. Below are some examples of how GIS can transform how we approach certain environmental topics.

Examples of GIS use:

• Land managers across the country are using GIS to evaluate watershed dynamics and human effects on natural resources. In one of Classroom Earth's posted resources, students can use GIS as land managers might to evaluate a watershed in Montana. You can access this resource here.

• Biologists in the field use GIS to understand ecosystems dynamically to predict how global climate change might impact systems. Click here to read more.

• Policy makers in East Africa are using GIS maps to understand elephant migration so that land can used for human purposes without intruding on migration corridors for both the safety of people and the environment. Click here to see how the African Wildlife Foundation is collecting the data.

• Environmental health specialists use GIS to track sources of potential contamination, such as oil refineries and large agricultural sites. Click here to learn more about how the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is using the technology.

To learn more about GIS and find ways to incorporate these technologies into your lesson plans, visit the GIS resources in the Classroom Earth resource library.

Using GIS in your classroom:

There are several ways to incorporate GIS technologies into your classroom, depending on your school’s technology resources. Highlighted in our resource library are several lesson plans that use “ArcGIS Explorer,” which is a free program that allows you to view GIS files included in the activities. This software needs to be run on a Windows operating system. Also on this site, you will find a datasets and a tutorial to familiarize yourself with this GIS software.

There are various other GIS programs available for purchase. These, however, are not required for most of the lesson plans provided in our “Resources” section. If the resources are available, ArcView ($1000 – $1500) and other similar programs allow you to create your own maps with information gathered by GPS devices ($100 - $500) and other geographical data. For a tutorial on ArcView, here is a document put together by the USGS.

For more information on GIS, be sure to visit these websites:

The Guide to GIS
ESRI, Inc. (Leading GIS software producer)
USGS National Geospatial Program

In this lesson, designed for students in grades 3-5, students will learn about different types of landfills, construct a model of a landfill, and investigate potential sources of water pollution associated with landfills. Detailed instructions, teacher and student handouts, and resources are provided. The lesson was produced by the Air and Waste Management Association and is correlated to PA Academic Standards and National Science Standards.

What Oil Does to a Salt Marsh is a visual from the Washington Post illustrating how different creatures in a salt marsh are affected by the presence of oil.

The EPA provides a thorough overview of waste and waste management, including what you can do to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Information is also offered about recycling programs and opportunitites in your community and where to dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. This is a good resource for individuals looking to start local recycling programs or expand already existing programs.

FOCUS is a nationwide campaign in partnership with the Forest Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Wyland Foundation, which uses art and science to make kids aware of the shared relationship between the health of each ecosystem and the health of the planet. The FOCUS program features mural painting events in communities across the nation.

Hands on the Land is a national network of field classrooms connecting students and teachers to their public lands and waterways. On the Web site, you can: search for Hands on the Land member sites by agency, state or keyword; access educator resources including curriculum, lesson plans and other materials; browse environmental monitoring programs to see how students are helping to protect our land, air and water and participate in e-Learning courses for students and teachers, including online field trips.

EcoExxon Valdez Oil Spill: Resources for Teachers and Students-Schools USA, a program of the National Wildlife Federation, provides a special report on the Gulf Oil Spill designed to give teachers and students information and resources to help them better understand the spill and its ramifications. The report includes answers to questions asked by young people, information on helping wildlife and facts on the importance of protecting wetlands.

National Geographic's Education Network is an online service that offers educators resources, news and professional development opportunities. The Our Environment & Oceans for Life website offers educators a host of ocean-related resources including classroom materials and relevant information on ocean science from experts in the field. Their Ocean Literacy materials are aligned to National Geography and Environmental Science Standards.

Alternative Energy Projects Stumble on a Need for Water, an article published in The New York Times in September 2009, highights the link between renewable energy production and water consumption.

Provides a series of interactive presentations of different water related topics, including the water cycle, ground and surface water and using water wisely. Printable resources include coloring books and lesson plans for elementary, middle and high school levels titled "Raising Your Water IQ." The lesson plans address water issues in Texas but also include the study of groundwater, surface water, watersheds, water conservation and water availability.

An interactive site from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill News 21 project. Watch a video introducing energy's drain on water, take part in an interactive challenge to balance a town's water and energy needs and investigate the water requirements of energy production across the country. 

Trees and other landscaping plants can be used to reduce the urban heat island effect and its resultant health and environmental problems. Students will discover and understand how trees and landscaping can be used to improve air quality and help reduce the urban heat island effect. This lesson is best suited for grades 5-6 and adheres to Utah State Science Standards.

Through the video The Rotten Truth, students realize that people produce more solid waste than is safely disposed of in sanitary landfills. Students identify and interpret data on the types of trash that are thrown out the most. Through hands-on experiments and use of the Internet, students will see the long-term effects of taking solid waste to the landfill. This lesson is best suited for 4th graders and adheres to South Carolina Science Standards.

Published in 2005 by the California Energy Commission, reports on the relationship between water and energy.

This online collection of articles written by scientists or practioners in the field contains a wide variety of topics including biodiversity, environment, and issues in education and also contains a lesson directory with extensive lessons by grade level on biodiversity and the environment.

The Encyclopedia of Earth (EoE) is a free, searchable collection of articles written by scholars, professionals, educators and experts on the Earth, its environments and their interaction with society. The EoE's extensive article on the Gulf Oil Spill includes information on the magnitude and extent of the spill, clean up efforts and ecological impacts as well as a review of past disasters.
 

Web page outlining the water requirements of producing electricity using thermoelectric sources.

The Nature Walk is part of the USDA's Stop the Beetle campaign, an educational program designed for states in which the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetle has proven an invasive pest. This animated video, targeted to 8-12 year olds, depicts the life cycle of the EAB beetle. Viewers learn about how the EAB beetle is an invasive pest and is threatening to ash trees. The video also presents ways for kids to help protect ash trees by spreading the word about not moving firewood.

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.

Sea Education Association (SEA) Semester offers a database of K-12 lesson plans. Lessons are listed by grade level and topic, and many were designed by teachers who have participated in the SEA Experience program. Topics include marine biology, oceanography, nautical science and marine ecology. Lesson plans can be adapted to meet educational standards in math and science.

The Online Clearinghouse for Education and Networking - Oil Interdisciplinary Learning (OCEAN-OIL) is a free, peer-reviewed collection of scientific information and educational resources about the Deepwater Horizon disaster and its broaders energy and environmental issues. OCEAN-OIL is a collaborative, community-driven effort by scientists, teachers and concerned citizens.

This website features curricular materials for a variety of environmental health topics by grade level.  At the secondary level, topics include alcohol, bacteria, disease transmission, toxicology, and air quality.  Materials also exist for the study of environmental justice, pesticides, risk management, and research. An additional feature includes resources available for student use.

Developed and maintained by the National Institute of Health, the website states that NIEHS “supported the development of standards-based curricular materials that use environmental health as an integrative context for learning.”

Scientific American Special Edition, October 2008.

Students can calculate and determine how to reduce their Carbon Footprint by just making small changes in their daily habits. This site, provided by the EPA, also extrapolates the students' data to make it representative of the students' classroom and the United States. As a point of comparison, a student's impact is calculated as the number of miles a car would have to drive to have the same level of emissions.

KEEP's mission is to initiate and facilitate the development, dissemination, implementation and evaluation of energy education programs. They offer educational resources pertaining to home, school, and renewable energy education, as well as online resources for professional development.

The United States Global Change Research Program provides two climate change resources for educators. The Climate Literacy: Essential Principles of Climate Sciences guide presents basic information on Earth’s climate, the impacts of climate change and approaches for adapting and mitigating change. The Wildlife and Wildlands Toolkit provides information about the impact of climate change on flora and fauna on public lands across the United States.

Fairfax Water, Virginia's largest water utility, has an educational resources page for both students and educators. Included among the many activities for students are features such as "The Story of Water" which includes games for students, and "The Full Treatment" which takes students through the water treatment process. While student project and grants programs are only available to Virginia residents, the online resources are engaging learning tools for all.