Science

Incorporate environmental themes and data into science classes to show students the applicability of science in everyday life. Use news stories to connect global issues to your local environment, assess the health of a local stream, or perform an audit of your school’s energy consumption and recommend improvements. Use the search function to the right to explore other ways to incorporate environmental themes into science lessons.

The Benjamin Banneker Institute for Science and Technology


The mission of the Banneker Institute is to increase access to, and participation and performance in science and math related professions and academic pursuits by African Americans. Their resource page includes links to pertinent blogs, STEM career sites and school competitions and clubs. While focused on African Americans, some content is applicable to a broader audience, particularly the school competitions and clubs page.

Oil Spill Solutions Lesson Plan


This lesson focuses on how engineers use various techniques to provide solutions to oil spills or other threats to natural water resources. Students work in teams to analyze an "oil spill" in the classroom, then design, build and test a system to first contain and then remove the oil from the water.

Fact Sheet: Subsea Oil Recovery System

Discuss the oil spill with your students using this fact sheet. The Subsea Oil Recovery System is a large structure that can be placed over the largest leak source in the Transocean Deepwater Horizon Rig. The system is designed to collect hydrocarbons from the well and pump them to a tanker at the surface, where they will be stored and safely shipped ashore.

Fuel Our Future Now


Developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and the X PRIZE Foundation, the Fuel Our Future Now Online Knowledge Center provides science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) interactive resources and teaching tools.

I-STEM Resource Network


The I-STEM Resource Network supports K-12 teachers and leaders working to implement high academic standards towards STEM literacy for all students. Their resources include lesson plans, curriculum units, professional development opportunities and more.

Resources pertaining to environmental education:

-Do You See What I See? Plant Identification

-Avalanche!

-Creating a 3D Model and Corresponding Topographic Map

TeachEngineering


The TeachEngineering digital library provides teacher-tested, standards-based engineering content for K-12 teachers to use in science and math classrooms. Their library is organized by subject areas, curricular units, lessons and activities.

Resources pertaining to environmental education:

-Energy-Efficient Housing

-Test and Treat Before You Drink

-How Far Does a Lava Flow Go?

PBS Teachers STEM Education Resource Center


The PBS Teachers STEM Education Resource Center offers television and online content to help students explore new ideas and new worlds related to STEM. The site provides nearly 4,000 science, technology, engineering and math resources as well as access to STEM education news, video collections, professional development opportunities and additional STEM resource providers.

Environmental Catalysis Module


The NanoEd Resource Portal provides lessons for instructors that wish to incorporate cutting-edge nanoscience into their STEM curricula. In the Environmental Catalysis Module students learn what a catalyst is and become aware of the use of catalysis to promote environmental protection.

NSDL STEM Gateways and Resources


The STEM Gateways and Resources collection is comprised of web portals, websites and individual digital resources. The resources focus on ideas and practices in the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as the uses of technology in the classroom.

Green Reading List

One of the best ways to teach about the environment is to incorporate environmentally-themed fiction or non-fiction books into classroom lessons and activities. Check out the list below to find a diverse list of "Green Reads" for your students.

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