Access these sites through your computer’s Internet
connection. Open the underlined address (URL). Information can be
printed or downloaded to your computer. Be sure to follow links to other
sites and find your way back with the "Back" button. Also, we note where we
found broken links in our sampling of links within a site. Teachers will
need to replace these links with their own.
All of the sites listed were active as of March 7, 2006.
The evaluation is by the AVA Center staff according to the amount of
information given, the general appearance of the site and its potential use
in the classroom. This list is also sent through email if you have a school
email address. Let us know if you would like to be added to our mailing
list.
PLANET PALS – EARTH DAY
A GATEWAY SITE A MUST!!
http://www.planetpals.com/earthday.html
A huge site on Earth Day. Sections: Planet Pals Pages, Eco Helpers, Earth
day Learning, Earth Learning, World Peace, Fun for Kids, Parent/Teachers and
more. Each section is packed with information and ideas for activities. An
outstanding site. Excellent
ACCESS EXCELLENCE MYSTERY SPOT
http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/mspot/
"Interactive, online scientific mysteries developed by Access Excellence for
classroom use. The mysteries encourage student problem-solving and inquiry."
AE Mysteries: Two Forks, Idaho; Yellow Jackie; Angry Red Planet;
Croak; River of Venom and Arctica (see below). Croak and River of
Venom are especially good for Earth Day. Includes Teacher-Developed
Mysteries. An outstanding site. Excellent
ACTION BIOSCIENCE
http://www.actionbioscience.org/
Promotes bioscience literacy by providing information on several issues in
environmental sciences. Presents seven bioscience challenges. Sections:
Biodiversity, Environment, Genomics, Biotechnology, Evolution, New
Frontiers, Education and a section in Spanish. Click on Lesson Directory for
a long list of lesson plans on these topics. Excellent Also in Lesson
Plans section
ALL ABOUT ANIMALS AND INSECTS - LINKS
http://www.suelebeau.com/animals.htm
A page of links for elementary students on animals and insects. Excellent
ALL ABOUT ENERGY
http://www.suelebeau.com/energy.htm
A page of links to websites on energy and renewables. Suitable for
elementary students. Excellent
ALL ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT
http://www.suelebeau.com/environment.htm
A page of links to websites on the environment. Suitable for elementary
students. Excellent
ALL ABOUT THE RAINFOREST – LINKS
http://www.suelebeau.com/rainforest.htm
A page of links for elementary students on the rainforest. Excellent
ALL ALONG A RIVER
NEW!
http://library.thinkquest.org/28022/
A site for students by students on rivers and river ecosystems. Sections:
Physical Aspects of Rivers, Case Studies and Rivers of the World. More
detailed than it looks at first. Suitable for students in grades 5-8.
Excellent
AMAZON INTERACTIVE
http://www.eduweb.com/amazon.html
This site has two sections. Geography of the Ecuadorian Amazon provides
basic information on the rainforest in Ecuador including who lives there and
how they make their living. Part two is an Ecotourism Simulation Game in
which viewers play the role of Quicha Indians in a rainforest village who
choose to develop an ecotourism project to add income and to help preserve
the rainforest. Excellent
ARCTICA – AN ONLINE MYSTERY
http://www.accessexcellence.org/arc/
Students are challenged to solve the mystery of what happened to the
stranded polar expedition Arctica in 1834. Three people use crew journals,
diaries, tests, artifacts and more to solve the mystery. Can your students?
Note: This was a competition in 1997 but all the elements remain for
students to solve the mystery today. Excellent
BIOMES/ECOSYSTEMS LINKS
http://www.geocities.com/mddavis53/Ecosystems.html
A full page of links to sites on different biomes. Sections: General Sites,
Desert, Tundra, Polar & Mountainous Regions, Rain Forest, Chaparral, Savanna
& Grasslands, Temperate Deciduous Forest, Taiga, Fresh Water and Marine.
Excellent
BRIDGE – OCEAN SCIENCES TEACHER RESOURCE CENTER
http://www.vims.edu/bridge/
This is a huge resource for teachers on marine education and conservation.
Contains lesson plans, activities, informative sections,
contests, and much more. An outstanding site. Excellent.
BUILD-A-PRAIRIE – ON THE PRAIRIE
NEW URL!
http://www.rbff-education.org/cgi-bin/search/rbff.cgi?ID=981491855
An examination of the prairie habitat including the interactive game
Build-a-Prairie. Also includes: Live from the Prairie, Field Guide to the
Prairie, Curriculum Goodies, Experience the Prairie, and Researching the
Prairie. Excellent
CENTER FOR IMPROVED SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
http://www.k12science.org/index.html
CIESE sponsors and designs interdisciplinary projects that teachers
throughout the world can use to enhance their curriculum through compelling
use of the Internet. We focus on projects that utilize realtime data
available from the Internet, and collaborative projects that utilize the
Internet's potential to reach peers and experts around the world. Below is a
catalog of projects that are currently being or have been sponsored by CIESE
. Each project has a brief description and links to the National Science
Standards and NCTM math standards it supports." Current projects
include: Down the Drain: How Much Water Do You Use?, The Global Water
Sampling Project, Bucket Buddies, Take a Dip: The Water in Our Lives,
Population Growth, Air Pollution: What’s the Solution?, and more. Check out
the Teacher Materials for lesson plans. Outstanding. Excellent
CHILDREN OF THE EARTH UNITED
http://www.childrenoftheearth.org/
Information by and for children on the earth and the environment. Sections:
Creative Kids, Amazing Animals, Powerful Plants, Native Wisdom, Eco-Careers,
Earth Issues, Awesome Activities, Great Books, and Nature Programs. Includes
several knowledge-testing games and a Teacher’s section with several
classroom activities. Excellent
CONFLICT YELLOWSTONE WOLVES – PROJECT
http://www.powayschools.com/projects/mt&r/ConflictYellowstoneWolf.htm
A project in which students study the controversy surrounding the
reintroduction of gray wolves to Yellowstone National Park. Although the
wolves were re-introduced to their natural habitat, the surrounding ranchers
have sued to have them removed. Students must research the issue, take a
position and write an editorial supporting their position. Note: We found a
couple of broken links on this site. Excellent
CONGO GORILLA FOREST
http://www.gorilla.org/
"Welcome to the Wildlife Conservation Society's online tour of the amazing
Congo Gorilla Forest exhibit at the Bronx Zoo. This huge 6.5 acre African
rain forest environment explains WHAT a rain forest is, HOW it works, WHICH
animals make it their home, WHY it is threatened and HOW people can help
save it. With more than 300 animals, including one of the largest breeding
groups of lowland gorillas, it is the most spectacular exhibit ever created
at the Bronx Zoo." Excellent
CORAL REEFS – 42EXPLORE
NEW!
http://42explore.com/reef.htm
Basic information for elementary students on coral reefs. Includes
activities and webquests. Excellent
THE CREATIVE CONNECTIONS PROJECT
http://www.ccph.com/index.html
Links schools through email and the Internet with schools in various regions
around the world. Has all kinds of online adventures and projects.
Outstanding. Excellent
DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE – KIDS PLANET
http://www.kidsplanet.org/
Information for students on saving wildlife. Sections: Get the Facts,
Teachers Table (includes Curriculum Units), Wild Games, Web of Life (online
book), Worldwide Wolves, Defend It!, and Cool Stuff. Excellent
DRAGONFLY TV – LIVING THINGS
NEW!
http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/show/livingthings.html
Investigations and video clips for kids on a variety of living things and
nature topics such as: Baby Animals, Dolphins, Colorblind Dogs, Horse Ears,
Kelp Forest, Lizard Habitat and more. Each topics has an investigation with
a video report on their findings. Also check out: Do It (experiments), Games
and Riddles. For intermediate/junior students. Excellent
EARTH 911 – MAKING EVERY DAY EARTH DAY
http://www.earth911.org/master.asp
A huge site with information on recycling, hazardous wastes, air pollution,
water quality, and more. Plus in your zip code for information on where to
recycle or turn in hazardous wastes in your community. Outstanding.
Excellent
EARTH DAY AT KID’S DOMAIN
http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/earthday/
Includes: History; Adopt a Rainforest Animal; Games; Downloads; Earth Songs;
Earth Day Activities; Stories; Coloring Pages; Word Searches; Crafts; Clip
Art; Links and more. Excellent
EARTH DAY SONGS
http://www.preschooleducation.com/searth.shtml
Twenty-six songs for Earth Day for preschool and primary school students.
Each includes new lyrics for familiar tunes. Excellent
EARTH DAY THEMES AND ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
http://www.childfun.com/themes/earth.shtml
A list of activities for K-6 grade children for Earth Day. Excellent
EARTH PULSE – CONSERVATION
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/earthpulse/
A site from National Geographic on conservation. Themes: Ocean, Climate,
Energy, Fresh Water, Technology, Wild Lands, Population, Heroes, Humans &
Habitat, Wild Species, Ecosystems, Virtual Worlds, News, Wildworld Sights &
Sounds, and Earthpulse Expeditions. Excellent
THE EARTH’S BIRTHDAY PROJECT – EDUCATING CHILDREN ABOUT
THE EARTH
http://www.earthsbirthday.org/
Student/teacher focused site celebrating the planet through hands-on
projects. Includes: Celebrate!, Butterflies & Bugs, Big gift, Bug Shop,
Zwibbles, Earth’s Birthday Card and more. Excellent
EARTHFORCE
http://www.green.org/
The main focus of the site is the protection of the local watershed. The
site provides schools with the information necessary to conduct water
testing of their own. In the process they develop life-long habits of active
citizenship and environmental stewardship. Includes several programs and
activities to get students involved in their local environment. Excellent
ECOLOGY.COM
NEW!
http://www.ecology.com/
News, articles, quotes, and more. Sections: News Links, Feature Stories,
Origins of Life, Ecology Today, Earth at a Glance, Ecoscene, About Ecology,
Links, Quotes, and InfoKiosk. Includes: Test Your EQ!, a Students’ Corner,
and Ecology Radio. Excellent
ECO-PROS – ENVIRONMENT OF PLANET EARTH
http://www.eco-pros.com/
A huge site on environmental issues. Looks at the problems of disappearing
habitat, ecosystem management, waste management, and much, much more. Scroll
down for the large list of topics. Excellent
ECOSYSTEMS TEACHER RESOURCE KIT
http://www.eagle.ca/~matink/themes/Biomes/systems.html
General information and lesson plans on ecosystems. Excellent
EEK! ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR KIDS
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/
Information and activities for kids on the environment. Sections: Nature
Notes, Our Earth, Cool Stuff, Get a Job, The Riddler, and Teacher Pages.
Excellent
THE ELECTRONIC NATURALIST
http://www.enaturalist.org/
"The Electronic Naturalist is a new on-line education program providing a
weekly environmental education unit. Each unit has artwork, text,
activities, additional web sites, plus online access to a professional
naturalist. Two reading levels are available for grades K-3 (Quick Read) and
4-8 (Full Read)." Click on Topics at the top for a list of the
topics and activities. Excellent
EMERGENT WETLANDS
http://vathena.arc.nasa.gov/curric/land/wetland/emergent.html
Information for students on wetlands, the types of wetlands and activities
about wetlands. Excellent
ENATURE.COM
http://www.enature.com/
Field guides on animals, insects, trees and more. Online field guides
include: Amphibians, Birds, Butterflies, Fishes, Insects, Mammals, Native
Plants, Reptiles, Seashells, Seashore Creatures, Spiders, Trees and
Wildflowers. There are also Birding Tips, Ask an Expert, Threatened and
Endangered (lists of species by region), Backyard Habitats and more.
Excellent
ENDANGERED SPECIE.COM
http://www.endangeredspecie.com/
"EndangeredSpecie.com is dedicated to providing all the best
endangered species information, links, books, and publications regarding
rare and endangered species. This site also includes information about
conservation efforts and endangered species organizations that are dedicated
to saving and preserving the world's most endangered wildlife and plant
life." Sections: Causes of Endangerment, Why Save Endangered
Species?, Endangered Species in Your State, Ways You Can Help Endangered
Species (note: not a request for donations), Interesting Endangered Species
Facts, Endangered Species Profiles & Photo Gallery, Laws That Protect
Endangered Species, Endangered Species Organizations, Books on Endangered
Species. Endangered Species Case Studies, Kids Endangered Species Corner,
and Teacher’s Endangered Species Page. Outstanding. Excellent
ENDANGERED SPECIES FACTBOOK - A THINKQUEST SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/C005770/?tqskip1=1
A student-created site on endangered and threatened species. Sections:
Utilities, What, Profiles, Causes, Help! (What You Can Do), Interactivity,
Media Gallery (photos) and Teacher’s World. The Teacher’s section includes
classroom activities and the Interactivity section includes quizzes,
crosswords and puzzles. Excellent
ENDANGERED SPECIES FIELD TRIP
http://www.field-guides.com/sci/endanger/index.htm
An online field trip for middle school students on endangered species.
"Although endangered species refers to both the plant and animal
kingdoms, this field trip's focus is endangered animals. How many species
have made their way onto the endangered species list and how many have
completely disappeared in the past fifty years? What efforts are being made
to protect animals and what can you do to help?" Teacher Resources
includes links to related websites. Excellent
ENDANGERED SPECIES – LIST OF LINKS
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/endangsp.html
A list of links about endangered species. Suitable for elementary students.
Includes Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities. Also
in Lesson Plans section. Excellent
ENDANGERED SPECIES RESOURCES ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
NEW!
http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/endangered.htm
Links to resources on endangered species for elementary students. Includes
several categories. Includes a Teacher’s Resources section with links and
lesson plans. Excellent
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ENERGY RENEWAL
http://www.eere.energy.gov/
A gateway site for the U.S. Department of Energy and its programs as well as
different forms of energy. Click on Education under Topics for a huge number
of classroom resources and lesson plans on energy. An outstanding
site. Excellent
ENERGY – HEAT, LIGHT AND SOUND – LIST OF LINKS
NEW!
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/heatener.html
A list of links about energy. Suitable for elementary students. Includes
Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities. Also in Lesson
Plans section. Excellent
ENERGY QUEST
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/index.html
Huge energy site for students. Categories include: Games; Art Gallery;
Saving Energy; The Energy Story; Devoured by the Dark; Energy Library; Find
It Fast; How Things Work; Time Machine; Transportation Energy; Weekly Energy
News; Ask Professor Questor; ; Super Scientists; Science Projects; Teachers
and Parents Resources and more. An outstanding site. Excellent
THE ENERGY PLANET – A THINKQUEST SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/C004471/?tqskip1=1
A student-created site on energy. Sections include: Traditional Energy,
Future Energy, Biographies, Experiments, How It Works, Cultures, and
General. Each section includes multimedia with photos and video clips. Note:
The Scroll Down English button does NOT work. Click on English in the list
of languages at the bottom of the introductory screen. Excellent
THE ENVIROLINK NETWORK
NEW!
http://www.envirolink.org/
A portal for an enormous number of environmental website links. With topics
from Agriculture to Wildlife, this is a huge resource. Includes: Envirolink
U.S. Atlas, News Headlines, and Anima Concerns. Excellent
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION LINKS – CLASSROOM RESOURCES
http://eelink.net/classroomresources-directories.html
Large list of topics with environmental education resources and materials.
Excellent
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE – LIST OF LINKS
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek1/environ.htm
A list of links about the environment. Suitable for elementary students.
Excellent
ENVIRONMENTAL SITES ON THE INTERNET
http://www.ima.kth.se/im/envsite/envsite.htm
A huge list of links to environmental sites on the Internet. In the left
column, scroll down to the subject index. Definite worth checking out.
Excellent
EXPLORE THE FANTASTIC FOREST
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/forest/
An online interactive visit to a forest habitat. Very well done. Suitable
for elementary students. Excellent
EXPLORING THE ENVIRONMENT – CORAL REEFS MODULE
NEW!
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/
A learning module for grades 7-12 on the environment of the coral reefs.
Sections: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Coral Reefs, Remote Sensing,
Situation and Spheres. Students use real data to solve problems. Excellent
5 TIGERS ADVENTURES
http://www.5tigers.org/Directory/adventures.htm
Information and fun activities on tigers. Students learn about the threat to
tigers, design a tiger habitat, captive breeding, the tiger trade and more.
Includes Teacher Resources with links and lesson plans. Excellent
FRANKLIN’S FORECAST
http://sln.fi.edu/weather/index.html
Build your own weather station, learn about weather technologies and check
the weather anywhere. From the Franklin Institute. Sections: Hot Air Over
Water, Make Your Own Weather Station, Weather Right Now, Weather Events,
Radar, Lightning, Weather Satellites, Weather Activities, and Weather
Hotlist. Excellent
FRESH WATER AND FRESH WATER RESOURCES ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
NEW!
http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/water.htm
Links to resources on the water cycle and water resources for elementary
students by category. Includes Teacher Resources with links to websites and
lesson plans. Excellent
GEOGRAPHY ACTION!
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographyaction/
A National Geographic site for children on geography and the environment.
The current theme is Migration: The Human Journey. Past themes were:
Biodiversity, Conservation, Habitats, Population, Rivers and U.S. Public
Lands. Includes a wealth of resources including articles and lesson plans.
Excellent
GEOGRAPHY ACTION! HABITATS
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographyaction/habitats/
"Beginning just beyond the window, and extending past the boundaries of your
town or city across the Earth's surface, an amazing variety of habitats
awaits—along with the plants and animals that live in them. Start exploring
them with our Introduction. Then, get to know your "home" by identifying
which of these habitat types you live in or near: Cities and Suburbs -
Deserts and Tundra - Forests -Fresh Water Oceans and Coasts - Prairies."
Includes Games, Photo Galleries and much more. The Teacher’s Section has
lesson plans. Excellent
GEO-IMAGES PROJECT
http://www-geoimages.berkeley.edu/GeoImages.html
Groups of geo-images you can interact with. Click on the image, when the
cursor turns into a bulls-eye, move it slowly across the image to move up,
down, right, left, pan around or zoom in and out. Includes California, the
Southwest, the Northwest, the Arctic Circle, Morocco, Afghanistan, Hong
Kong, and New Guinea. Excellent
GETTING GREEN FIELD TRIP
http://www.field-guides.com/sci/green/index.htm
An online field trip for middle school students on ways humans can protect
the Earth. "Getting Green is all about what we as humans can do to
minimize our negative impact on our planet Earth. Our dirt is filled with
life. The sun warms our vegetable garden, the rains feed our plants, our
plants provide food and oxygen, and so it goes. Organisms in the soil break
down the plants and provide nutrients, creating a rich soil in which they
can grow. Did you know that in a handful of dirt, there are as many living
micro-organisms as there are people on the planet?" The Teacher’s
Resources includes related website links. Excellent
GF AWESOME
NEW!
http://www.gfawesome.org./homepage_flash.html
The kids site from Global Forest. Hosts Maurice the Mountain Goat and Lu Lu
the Lynx host a range of informative articles, nature photos, factoids, cool
activities and more. Sections: Cool Articles, Mad Gallery, Crazy Activities,
GF Research, Tree Guide, Challenge a Scientist and Scientists’ Answers.
Outstanding. Excellent
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH EXPLORER
NEW!
http://www.exploratorium.edu/climate/
"At this Web site, you can explore scientific data relating to the
atmosphere, the oceans, the areas covered by ice and snow, and the living
organisms in all these domains. You’ll also get a sense of how scientists
study natural phenomena—how researchers gather evidence, test theories, and
come to conclusions." Sections: Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Cryosphere,
Biosphere, and Global Effects. Includes maps, graphs, glossary, questions
about each section. Suitable for grades 7 and up. Excellent
GLOBAL WARMING – 42EXPLORE
http://www.42explore.com/globewrm.htm
Basic information plus activities and webquests on global warming. Excellent
THE GLOBAL WATER SAMPLING PROJECT
NEW!
http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/waterproj/index.shtml
"From March 27 until June 2, 2006, students will team up around the globe to
test fresh water. Join us in this collaborative project, comparing the water
quality of your local river, stream, lake or pond with other fresh water
sources around the world. The focus of the project is: ● To assess the
quality of water based on physical characteristics and chemical substances.
● To look for relationships and trends among the data collected by all
project participants.
All students are welcome to participate, however, it is recommended for high
school students (ages 14-18) due to the nature of the tests required for the
project. There is no fee to participate, however, please read the "Project
Instructions" area prior to registering for participation." Includes
classroom activities and lesson plans. Excellent
THE GREAT PLANT ESCAPE
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gpe/
"My name is Bud. My good friend Sprout and I are helping Detective LePlant
on his search. You will find that plants are an important part of your life.
We will need your help to find clues, do experiments, and solve problems as
we journey into the world of plants. He promises lots of fun, but remember,
we're here to solve a mystery!" There are six cases to solve. Each
has a Case Brief, Facts, Mysteries and Activities. Excellent
HABITATS/BIOMES – ENCHANTED LEARNING
http://www.zoomschool.com/biomes/
Information for primary students on habitats. Provides a basic
explanation of what constitutes a habitat. Click on each of the habitats in
the colored blocks for printouts to color and information specific to each.
Excellent
HABITATS/LANDFORMS – LIST OF LINKS
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/habitats.html
A list of links about habitats and landforms. Suitable for elementary
students. Includes Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities.
Also in Lesson Plans section. Excellent
THE HEADBONE DERBY – ECOLOGY STRIKES BACK!
http://www.headbone.com/derby/eco/
An Internet research learning adventure. Uses the Internet to research the
environment. Includes a Teacher’s Guide. Sections: Yamquats Ahoy!; Where the
Vacuumoose Roam; Tree Huggin’ Flower Power; The Orca Smorgasbord; Solar So
Good; Pollen Nation; and The Green Landfill Blues. Excellent
HIGH SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
http://www.epa.gov/highschool/index.htm
A portal to a huge amount of environmental information for high school
students. Sections: Air, Waste & Recycling, Water, Conservation, Ecosystems,
Your Neighborhood and Health & Safety. A huge amount of information.
Excellent
IN SEARCH OF THE WAYS OF KNOWING TRAIL – A VIRTUAL TRIP
THROUGH THE ITURI FOREST IN CENTRAL AFRICA
http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/pagegen/wok/index_f4.html
An animated game where you travel to central Africa to follow a trail
through the Ituri Forest. Excellent
INVASIVE SPECIES – 42EXPLORE
NEW!
http://www.42explore.com/invasive.htm
Basic information for students on invasive species. Includes activities and
webquests. Excellent
IT’S ELECTRIFYING!
http://sln.fi.edu/qa99/spotlight3/index.html
An online exhibit from the Franklin Institute on electricity. Sections:
Franklin’s Kite, Introduction to Electricity, Theater of Electricity, the
World of Electronics for Children, Electricity and Magnetism, Electrified
Ben, Beakman’s Electric Motor, and Lightning and Atmospheric Electricity
Research. Excellent
JOURNEY NORTH – A GLOBAL STUDY OF WILDLIFE MIGRATION
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/
"Journey North engages students in a global study of wildlife
migration and seasonal change. K-12 students share their own field
observations with classmates across North America. They track the coming of
spring through the migration patterns of monarch butterflies, bald eagles,
robins, hummingbirds, manatees, whooping cranes--and other birds and
mammals, the budding of plants, changing sunlight and other natural events.
Find standards-based lesson plan, activities and information to help
students make local observations and fit them into a global context. Widely
considered a best-practices model for education, Journey North is the
nation’s premiere "citizen science" project for children."
Click on Spring’s Journey North for lesson plans and activities.
Outstanding. Excellent
KIDS CORNER – ELEMENTS
http://www.elements.nb.ca/kids/index.htm
Fun environmental activities such as Calculate Your Ecological Footprint,
Forest Adventures and Which Future Would You Choose?. A bilingual site with
all sections in both English and French. Excellent
KIDS STUFF – WORLD WILDLIFE FUND
http://www.worldwildlife.org/fun/kids.cfm
A page of links to information from the World Wildlife fund about endangered
species. Sections include: Endangered Species Fact sheets, What’s Your
Biodiversity IQ Quiz, U.S. Ecoregional Map, Sizing Up Species and more.
Excellent
LAB CAR HANDS-ON EXPERIMENTS - CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
NEW URL!
http://www.kineticcity.com/lab/HCHO/hchoarchive.html
Hands-on activities and experiments for upper elementary/middle
school students. For Earth Day, choose from: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Make
Your Own Paper; As the World Turns: Create Your Own Ecosystem in a Bottle;
Ah-choo!: Make a Pollen Catcher; Sun Power: Harness the Power of the Sun;
Squirrel World: Observe the Natural Habits of Creatures at a Tree Near You;
and Rot Race: Don’t Just Throw Away that Banana Peel, Let It Rot. Excellent
THE LIVING EDENS
http://www.pbs.org/edens/index.html
A PBS series on wilderness areas around the world and the ecosystems there.
Currently, Glacier Bay in Alaska. Click on past Living Edens sites for
additional areas including: Anamalai: India’s Elephant Mountain, Borneo:
Island in the Clouds, Bhutan: The Last Shangri-La and others. Each examines
the geography, the wildlife, the plants and the ecosystems. Click on Web
Resources for links and Teacher Resources for a lesson plan. Excellent
LIVING THINGS
http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/units/life/
Informational activities from the Franklin Institute. A gateway to
information on the environment and man’s role. Sections: Individuals,
Families, Neighborhoods, and The Circle of Life. Each section has a large
number of links to other sites. Excellent
MARINE AND COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS- NPCA
http://www.npca.org/marine%5Fand%5Fcoastal/flash.html
Information on the different marine and coastal environments.
Sections: Coral Reefs: Rainforests of the Sea; Marine Wildlife: Meet the
Creatures of the Deep; Beaches: Are We Loving Them to Death?; and Wetlands:
Murky Swamps or Precious Ecosystems?. Suitable for elementary to
junior high grades. Excellent
MARINE RESERVES: WHERE DO YOU FIT IN?
http://www.jason.org/digital_labs/CINMS/
An online simulation from the JASON Project. "The
sea around Anacapa Island is one of the most biologically rich and
economically important areas of the Channel Islands National Marine
Sanctuary and National Park. Because Anacapa Island is close to mainland
harbors, it is a very popular place to fish and dive. In this simulation,
you have been asked to represent one of the stakeholders in a working group
to establish new marine reserve areas near Anacapa. You must develop a plan
that will satisfy the group you are representing yet be acceptable to the
other groups’ representatives." Includes Teacher Background and
Classroom Activities. Outstanding. Excellent
MISSION: BIOMES
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Laboratory/Biome/
A project for grades 3-8 on biomes. "Have you ever wondered what it
would be like to live in a different part of the world? What would the
weather be like? What kinds of animals would you see? Which plants live
there? By investigating these questions, you are learning about biomes. A
biome is a community of plants and animals living together in a certain kind
of climate. Scientists have classified regions of the world into different
biomes. Here you can explore coniferous forests, temperate deciduous
forests, deserts, grasslands, rainforests, shrublands, and tundra.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to investigate biomes, then
test your knowledge about the biomes by completing each mission."
Excellent
THE NATURAL WORLD: ENVIRONMENT – ARTICLES AND INFORMATION
FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES
http://www.nytimes.com/library/national/science/environment-index.html
Links to articles from the New York Times on the environment and
environmental issues. Includes: Statistics, Videos, Diagrams, Maps, Issues
in Depth, Special Sections and Web Resources. Excellent
NATURE.NET WATER RESOURCES
http://www.nature.nps.gov/biology/
From the National Park Service, a look at ecosystems. Sections: Ecosystem
Management & Restoration, Invasive Species Management, Integrated Pest
Management, Migratory Birds, Threatened & Endangered Species, Wildlife
Health & Disease and Wildlife Management. Click on the links (Air, Geology,
Natural Sounds and Water) in the Nature & Science box on the left for a lot
more information. Excellent
NEIGHBORHOODS: ECOSYSTEMS, BIOMES AND HABITATS
http://www.fi.edu/tfi/units/life/habitat/habitat.html
Information on the different types of ecosystems from the Franklin
Institute. Excellent
OBSERVING A CORAL REEF
http://www.eduweb.com/jason/index.html
A JASON project in which students study a coral reef using data recorded
between 1993 and 1997 to determine changes. Students compare images from
1993 and 1997 to determine changes. Note: This ties in with other JASON
projects. Excellent
OCEAN ADVENTURE – FROM DEEP SPACE TO DEEP SEA – A
THINKQUEST SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/18828/?tqskip1=1
A student-created site on hydrothermal vents deep in the ocean floor.
Viewers join the scientists as they climb into the submersible Alvin for a
trip to investigate the vents. Sections: Dive Briefing, Ethics, Research
Tools, Mysteries, Meet the Scientists, Interactivities, Fauna, Forum,
Geology, Glossary, and Significance. Note: The Classroom Activities
downloaded without a problem this year. Excellent
OCEAN CONSERVANCY
http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home
Resource for teachers and students on marine conservation topics. Huge
amount of information on the oceans, water pollution, marine wildlife and
more. Note: We could not locate the lesson plans included in previous years.
Excellent
ONE WORLD JOURNEYS - EXPEDITIONS
http://www.oneworldjourneys.com/expeditions/climate/
Photo-documentary expeditions around the world looking at different habitats
and what is happening with them. Expeditions: Florida’s Springs: Protecting
Nature’s Gems; Chimpanzees: Messengers of the Forest; Cougar: Spirit of the
Americas; Mercury Rising: Bearing Witness to Climate Change; Salmon: Spirit
of the Land and Sea; Palmyra Atoll: Rainforest of the Sea; Jaguar: Lord of
the Mayan Jungle; The Sonoran Desert: 5000 Square Miles of Silence; and
Georgia Revealed: Searching for the Soul of the Caucasus. Outstanding.
Excellent
ONLINE METEOROLOGY GUIDES
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/home.rxml
"The Online Meteorology Guide is a collection of web-based instructional
modules that use multimedia technology and the dynamic capabilities of the
web. These resources incorporate text, colorful diagrams, animations,
computer simulations, audio and video to introduce fundamental concepts in
the atmospheric sciences. Selected pages link to (or will soon link to)
relevant classroom activities and current weather products to reinforce
topics discussed in the modules and allow the user to apply what has been
learned to real-time weather data." For high school classes.
Sections: Light & Optics, Clouds & Precipitation, Forces & Winds, Air Masses
& Fronts, Weather Forecasting, Severe Storms, Hurricanes, El Nińo (see
separate entry in list), and Hydrologic Cycle. Note: See also ONLINE
METEOROLOGY CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES. Excellent
THE ORINOCO RIVER
http://www.miamisci.org/orinoco/index.html
"The very first vision of the Orinoco awakens your desire to understand it.
In fact, the mystery of the river has drawn explorers, researchers,
adventurers and artists for hundreds of years. But what is the Orinoco? What
secrets does it hide? What does it have to do with us? What threatens its
health as an ecosystem, and how can we conserve this precious area?"
Sections: Water, Energy, Biodiversity, Explorers and Inhabitants. All
but Inhabitants have a number of lesson plans. Excellent
PASSPORT TO THE RAINFOREST
http://passporttoknowledge.com/rainforest/intro.html
Explore the tropical rainforest guided by expert biologists. Sections:
Geosystem (What are rainforests, etc.), Ecosystem (images and information on
the flora and fauna), Researchers (Meet the scientists, study field
journals, etc.), Interact (the classroom can interact with the field –Note:
Doesn’t seem to be operating this year), Resources (multimedia guide to
resources on the rainforest), and Educators (special section for teachers
with lesson plans and a kit to order). Outstanding. Excellent
PESTWORLD
http://www.pestworldforkids.org/home.html
A site for kids on pests such as insects and rodents. Sections:
Amazing Pests, Threats & Prevention, Learning Games, Send a Pestcard and For
Teachers (includes lesson plans and classroom resources). Excellent
PLANET DIARY
http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/index.html
A look at current natural or human-caused phenomena occurring around the
world. Events include: volcanic eruptions, large fires, disease outbreaks,
storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, algae blooms, astronomical
observations, flora, fauna, drought, oil spills and more. Updated weekly.
Includes an archive so events can be tracked, satellite images and
background information on each phenomena. Sections: Current Phenomena,
Universal Measurements (time, location, maps), Phenomena Backgrounders,
Calendar and a Guide to Planet Diary. Excellent
POLLUTION LINKS
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/pollute.html
A full page of links to sites dealing with pollution. Sections:
Research/Informational Sites, Online Lesson Plans, Online Activities,
Offline Lesson Plans, and Offline Activities. Excellent
POLLUTION TEACHER RESOURCE KIT
http://www.eagle.ca/~matink/themes/Environ/pollute.html
Links, lesson plans and classroom activities on various forms of
pollution. Sections: Air, Land, Noise and Water. Excellent
THE QUEST FOR LESS - A TEACHER’S GUIDE TO REDUCING,
REUSING AND RECYCLING
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/kids/quest/index.htm
"The Quest for Less provides hands-on lessons and activities,
enrichment ideas, journal writing assignments, and other educational tools
related to preventing and reducing trash. Each chapter includes one or more
fact sheets providing background information on each topic. In addition,
each chapter includes an index showing the grade ranges, subject areas, and
skills used for each activity to help teachers select the appropriate
activities." For grades K-6. Excellent
RAIN FOREST FIELD TRIP
http://www.field-guides.com/sci/rainforest/index.htm
An online field trip for middle school students on the rainforest. "Rainforests
have been around for millions of years, and yet in the very brief span of
half a century, mankind has destroyed a huge portion of the world's
rainforests. On a daily basis, acres and acres more disappear. This field
trip takes a look at what a rainforest is and why it is an important
ecosystem, the animals and peoples of the rainforest, what types of
rainforests there are, and provides some ideas that students can do to
actively participate in protecting the remaining rainforests." The
Teacher’s Resources section has related website links. Excellent
RAIN FOREST – LIST OF LINKS
NEW!
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/rforest.html
A list of links about the rain forest. Suitable for elementary students.
Includes Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities. Also
in Lesson Plans section. Excellent
RAINFOREST ALLIANCE
NEW!
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/index.cfm
"The mission of the Rainforest Alliance is to protect ecosystems and the
people and wildlife that depend on them by transforming land-use practices,
business practices and consumer behavior." Includes a variety of
Alliance programs and news stories. Click on Education for a link to the
Learning Site. Excellent
RAINFOREST HEROES: KIDS THE EARTH CAN COUNT ON
http://www.rainforestheroes.com/kidscorner/
A colorful site on what kids can do and are doing to save the Earth.
Sections: Kid’s Action, Heroes Corner, Jungle Gym, About Rainforests,
Protect-an-Acre and Teacher’s Lounge. You can view the video Forest
Family Forever online or order it. Excellent
RECYCLE, REDUCE & REUSE – 42EXPLORE
http://www.42explore.com/recycle.htm
Basic information on recycling plus activities and webquests. Excellent
RECYCLING – LIST OF LINKS
NEW!
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/recycle.html
A list of links about recycling. Suitable for elementary students. Includes
Research/Informational Sites
and Lesson Plans/Activities. Also in Lesson Plans section. Excellent
RIVERS OF LIFE
http://cgee.hamline.edu/rivers/index.htm
"Rivers of Life is a full model for contextual learning; a flood
of projects, adventures, and resources to help K-12 teachers and students
learn about and from their watershed." Sections: Mississippi
Adventure, Watershed Atlas Project, Teacher Support, Students, Inquiry
Projects, and River of Resources. "The
Mississippi Adventure, a comprehensive study of the relationship between you
and your watershed. Using the legendary Mississippi River as a model, you
and your students will both learn about your watershed, and discover ways to
protect the natural system around you. The Watershed Atlas Project, an
interdisciplinary project that takes students out into their local watershed
to gain an intimate knowledge of the place they call home."
Excellent
SALT MARSHES FIELD TRIPS
http://www.field-guides.com/sci/salt/index.htm
An online field trip for middle school students on salt marshes.
"Students will be introduced to the coastal environment through
participation in a field study of the beach, dunes, estuary, and salt marsh
habitats." The Teacher’s Resources section has related website
links. Excellent
SCI4KIDS
NEW!
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/
A fun site from the US Dept of Agriculture on science and the environment.
"Sci4Kids is a series of stories about what scientists do here at the
ARS. Geared to kids about 8 to 13 years old, it is produced by the ARS
Information Staff in Beltsville, Maryland. We bet you'll agree that much of
what our scientists do is not what you might expect.
You may be a student today but may already be on your way to a career in
science or farming or computers. Or maybe you're curious about some of the
strange creatures that share the planet with you. (Other than your brother
or sister.)
Science is not something far away in a laboratory. It's wired right into
your daily life--to the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the water you
drink. Whatever your interest in science, we hope Sci4Kids will help you
find out that it can be fun as well as informative." Click on things
in the picture to go to the sections. Includes: Environment, Soil, Plants,
Animals, High Tech, Nutrition, Insects, Farming, Science Careers, Test
Tubes, Weird Science, Small Towns, Cities, Transportation, Satellite, Water,
The Suburbs, and Aquaculture. There’s also information on science projects.
Suitable for grades 4 and up. Excellent
SHADES OF GREEN: EARTH’S FORESTS – A THINKQUEST SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/17456/?tqskip1=1
A student-created site on the world’s forests. Extensive information on
Forest Types, Forest Life, Forest Importance, Forest Threats, Time, and
more. Check out the Teacher’s Area for lesson plans. Excellent
SMOG CITY
http://www.smogcity.com/welcome.htm
"Smog City is an interactive air pollution simulator that shows how your
choices, environmental factors, and land use contribute to air pollution. In
Smog City you're in control so your visit can be a healthy or unhealthy
experience depending on the decisions you make. You'll see how ground-level
ozone, the biggest part of summertime smog, increases or decreases when you
spend a day in Smog City. And since ozone can irritate respiratory systems,
cause breathing difficulty, coughing, and chest pain, knowing how and why
ozone forms and what you can do about it is important to the residents of
Smog City and everyone else on the planet." Excellent
THE SOLAR COOKING ARCHIVE
http://solarcooking.org/
Solar cooking is being used to save energy, especially in parts of the world
where resources are scarce. This site shows how to cook using solar stoves,
the different kinds and more. Sections: News, Plans (designs), Multimedia
(photos, audio clips, slide show), Resources, Documents, and Discussion.
Excellent
THE SONORAN DESERT: 5000 MILES OF SILENCE
http://www.oneworldjourneys.com/sonoran/index.html
"What our ancestors called a wasteland, we now know is the last great
treasure in the continental United States-the blazing heart of the Sonoran
desert, the lushest badland of them all. Now, on both sides of the U.S. and
the Mexican border are activities designed to protect the Sonoran desert.
The opportunity is simple: in an effort to save this area for generations to
come, there is a proposal to create the Sonoran Desert National Park. It
will be the greatest transnational biological reserve on earth, a park that
can be a benchmark for all the nations. Our One World Journeys team is
travelling this historic El Camino del Diablo to learn why there are efforts
to preserve this area for generations to come. Join us." Sections:
Live Expedition, Eco-Gallery, Natural History, Sonoran History and Travel
Facts. Excellent
TAIGA – LIST OF LINKS
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/taiga.html
A list of links about the taiga. Suitable for elementary students. Includes
Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities. Also in Lesson
Plans section. Excellent
TEACHER RESOURCES – NATIONAL BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE
NEW!
http://www.nbii.gov/education/index.html
"This area of the NBII provides educators, parents, and students of all ages
with access to online resources that emphasize the teaching of biology,
biodiversity, and ecology. Included are activities, lesson plans,
experiments, projects, resources, and references for classroom and home use.
The goal of this area of the NBII is to assist teachers and parents in
educating today's students and shaping the biologists, resource managers,
and environmental stewards of tomorrow. " Includes background
information and links to lessons and activities. This is much larger site
than it appears. Excellent
TEMPERATE FOREST BIOME FIELD TRIP
http://www.field-guides.com/sci/forest/index.htm
An online field guide for middle school students on temperate forest biomes.
"Young children are in tune with their environment. They notice the
seasonal changes occurring around them and studying the temperate forest
biome or deciduous forest presents a meaningful way to engage them in a
variety of cross curricular learning activities. The following areas can be
explored through looking at the temperate forest biome:…" The
Teacher’s Resources section has related website links. Excellent
TERRA
http://terra.nasa.gov/
"Terra," Latin for land, is the name of the Earth Observing System
(EOS) flagship satellite, launched on December 18, 1999. The mission began
science operations in February 2000. Terra is a multi-national,
multi-disciplinary satellite carrying a payload of five remote sensors that,
together, are measuring comprehensively the state of Earth’s environment and
ongoing changes in its climate system. The mission is a vital part of NASA’s
Earth Science Enterprise, helping us understand and protect our home
planet." Sections: Just Add Water, The Incredible Glowing Algae,
Squeezing Water from Rock, A Delicate Balance, Earth’s Carbon Metabolism,
From Space to the Outback, Tracking Clouds, Satellites Distinguish Dust from
Smoke, Satellites Aid Burned Area Rehabilitation, Prospecting From Orbit,
and Measuring Earthshine. In addition there is a gallery of images at
Visible Earth. Excellent
TRASH TO TREASURE – RECYCLING CRAFTS
http://craftsforkids.about.com/library/bltrashtr.htm
"Learn how you can creatively recycle baby food jars, paper bags, orphaned
socks, and several other items. Enjoy this ever-growing list of great ideas
for using the things you might normally throw away to create great craft
projects, games, and more." Uses throwaways such as oatmeal boxes,
buttons, soda cans and more to make fun crafts. Excellent
TUNDRA– LIST OF LINKS
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/tundra.html
A list of links about the tundra. Suitable for elementary students. Includes
Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities. Also in Lesson
Plans section. Excellent
U.S. EPA –ENVIRONMENTAL KIDS CLUB
http://www.epa.gov/kids/
Join the Club and learn a lot about the environment. Topics: Air, Water, You
and Your Environment, Plants & Animals, and Garbage & Recycling. Includes
Games, Activities, Information, Drawing and Coloring Pages, a Teacher’s
Section and more. Excellent
U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE – KIDS CORNER
http://endangered.fws.gov/kids/index.html
Includes a slide show, activity sheets, quiz, suggested classroom
activities, suggested lesson ideas, Species in the Spotlight and more.
Excellent
VIRTUAL ANTARCTICA
http://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/~kpt/terraquest/va/
For two weeks in 1995, the scientific ship Livonia traveled to
Antarctica. Daily dispatches and live chats let users join the guests and
crew as they explored. See it all on this site. Sections: Ship’s Log,
Expeditions, Ecology, Science, History and Guidebook. Excellent
VIRTUAL REALITY PANORAMAS
http://www-geoimages.berkeley.edu/GeoImages/QTVR/QTVR.html
QuickTime Virtual Reality images of California, the American Southwest, the
Pacific Northwest, Canada, Mexico, and Pacific Islands. You interact by
clicking on the image. When the cursor turns into a bulls-eye, move it
slowly across the image to move up, down, right, left, pan around or zoom in
and out. Excellent
VIRTUAL RIVER – ONLINE GEOLOGY LAB
NEW!
http://vcourseware5.calstatela.edu/VirtualRiver/
"Welcome to VirtualRiver. Here you will find two interactive exercises
designed to help you learn about river processes like discharge, flooding,
and flood frequency. Each activity requires you to make careful observations
and measurements, do simple calculations, and answer questions about your
work. A "Certificate of Completion" will be available to you at the end of
each activity." Suitable for upper elementary and up. Excellent
WATCHING OVER THE WORLD – TIME FOR KIDS
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/story/0,6079,56763,00.html
"Who's the latest environmental hero? YOU! Check out your green ideas, real
hometown heroes, poll questions and more all-new stuff!" Includes:
You Be the Hero (kids tell how they help the environment), Hometown Heroes
(profiles of kids who are "heroes"), Ask a Hero, Tour of Heroes and more.
Very colorful site. Excellent
WELCOME TO ECOKIDS ONLINE
http://ecokids.earthday.ca/pub/splash.cfm
Ecology info for kids. Sections: EcoSmarts, Events, Gallery, Games,
Storybook, Archives, Educator’s Area, and Play the Frog Quiz. Includes new
activities. A fun, colorful site with good info. Excellent
WELCOME TO RECYCLE CITY
http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/
Visit Recycle City to see how the residents of the former Dumptown learned
to recycle their waste and changed the town into Recycle City. Sections:
See, Find, Learn, and Get a Clue. Includes Games, Activities, Graphics, and
Facts. A fun, colorful site. Excellent
WETLANDS – 42EXPLORE
http://www.42explore.com/wetland.htm
Basic information on wetlands along with activities and webquests. Excellent
WETLANDS – LEARNING ABOUT WETLANDS
http://vathena.arc.nasa.gov/curric/land/wetland/
An elementary level page on wetlands with Things to Study and Things To Do.
Excellent
WETLANDS– LIST OF LINKS
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/wetlands.html
A list of links about wetlands. Suitable for elementary students. Includes
Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities. Also in Lesson
Plans section. Excellent
WHAT’S IT LIKE WHERE YOU LIVE?
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/
Learn about biomes and ecosystems. Biomes of the World: Rainforest, Tundra,
Taiga, Desert, Temperate, Grasslands. Freshwater Ecosystems: Rivers &
Streams, Ponds & Lakes, Wetlands. Saltwater Ecosystems: Shorelines,
Temperate Oceans, Tropical Oceans. Note: We have the video series that goes
with these websites. Excellent
THE WHY FILES
http://news2.news.wisc.edu/whyfiles/find_it/index.html?get=s&w=3
A long list of WHY files on environmental topics such as: Air Pollution,
Gas Hydrates, Beach Erosion, Global Warming, and Oceans Under Siege. Each
contains a main article plus many have links to related topics. Excellent
ADVENTURE IN THE RAINFOREST
http://teach.fcps.net/trt4/rainforest.htm
Links to a large number of resources. Divided into Student Resources and
Teacher Resources. Very Good`
AIR JUNK: SPECKS, FLECKS AND PARTICLES IN THE AIR
http://www.hhmi.org/coolscience/airjunk/index.html
A fun site for kids on making air particle detectors and the kinds of
particles they will find. Very Good
AMAZONIA: DISCOVER THE HIDDEN PARADISE – A THINKQUEST
SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/28368/ingles/mapa.shtm?tqskip1=1
A student-created site that explores the History, Physical Geography, Human
Geography, and Biological Geography of the Amazon including the major
environmental issues such as oil extraction, drug trafficking, etc. Very
Good
AMERICAN RIVERS – RESTORE, PROTECT, ENJOY
http://www.amrivers.org/
A river conservation site. Sections include: River Conservation, Resources,
Take Action, and Newsroom. Click on the photo at the top for video clips
about rivers and river restoration. Click on Resources, then River ABC’s for
information and activities for kids. Also a River Curriculum for teachers.
Very Good
THE ANIMAL DIVERSITY WEB
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/
Click on the animals for the animal class: Mammals, Fishes, Marine Animals,
Echinoderms, Birds, and Amphibians. Each section discusses what makes each
class unique and the many species and subspecies. Very Good
AQUARIUS – AMERICA’S INNERSPACE STATION
NEW!
http://www.uncw.edu/aquarius/
"Aquarius is an underwater laboratory and home to scientists for missions up
to 10 days long, but to call Aquarius a home is like calling the space
shuttle Discovery a mode of transportation. Aquarius is made to withstand
the pressure of ocean depths to 120 feet deep. Presently, Aquarius is
located in a sand patch adjacent to deep coral reefs in the Florida Keys
National Marine Sanctuary, at a depth of 63 feet. The laboratory is attached
to a baseplate that positions the underwater habitat (underwater
laboratories are also called habitats) about 13 feet off the bottom. This
means that the working depth of those inside the laboratory is about 50 feet
deep. Located inside the 81–ton, 43 x 20 x 16.5–foot underwater laboratory
are all the comforts of home: six bunks, a shower and toilet, instant hot
water, a microwave, trash compactor, and a refrigerator even air
conditioning and computers linked back to shore by wireless telemetry! Using
Aquarius as a base for research diving expeditions definitely has
its advantages." You can take a virtual tour, view the lab through a
streaming webcam and follow along on missions. During missions, you see a
Mission Summary, Aquanaut Profiles, Expedition Journals and Mission
Pictures. The Teachers and Students section includes several lesson plans.
Very Good
THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE – A SPECIAL REPORT
http://arcticcircle.uconn.edu/ANWR/
Information about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the current debate
about drilling for oil there. "What follows in this Special Report is
a description of the Refuge and its future as seen by the conflicting
parties in the controversy. The designers of ArcticCircle hope that the
airing of these differing perspectives will assist the viewer in deciding
what action should be taken in shaping the future of the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge - and by whom. At the conclusion of the Report, you will
also have an opportunity to share your comments with other ArcticCircle
members in an electronic forum. Finally, those wishing to become actively
involved can contact one or more of the organizations listed in the
concluding remarks." Sections: Natural Resources, The People, Oil
Exploration, Controversy and Debate and Commentary. Very Good
BACKYARD WILDLIFE HABITATS
http://www.nwf.org/habitats/
Sections: Backyard, Schoolyard, Workplace & Community. Provides action plans
for creating a backyard or schoolyard wildlife habitat. Very Good
BAGHEERA – A WEBSITE FOR OUR ENDANGERED SPECIES
http://www.bagheera.com/
Enter Bagheera’s lair and get information on our endangered species.
Sections: In the Wild (Vanishing, Extinct, Classroom Activities); Image
Center; Resources (link to C.I.T.E.S. Species Database), and Endangered
Species. Very Good
CAR-FREE CITIES
http://www.carfree.com/
A site that proposes that cars be banned from cities and cities redesigned.
Sections: Introduction, Moving People, City Design, Topology, Moving
Freight, Life in the City, Districts, Existing Cities, Morocco, Blocks,
Objections, Carfree Places, and more. Very Good
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY RECYCLING
http://www.csr.org/Earth_Week/home.html
Sections: Hey Teachers, Games & Activities, Recycling Works, Stuff Gets
Recycled, Blue Works, and Help Reduce Waste. Very Good
CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM – WATERS RESTORATION
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/index.cfm
Information on the Chesapeake Bay, its environmental and economic importance
and ways people are working to keep it a healthy ecosystem. Sections: About
the Bay, Animals & Plants, Habitats, Water Quality, Land & People, Watershed
Profiles, Bay Pollution, and Bay Restoration. Very Good
CLIMATE ARK
http://www.climateark.org/
A search portal for information on climate change and renewable energy. Very
Good
CLIMATE CHANGE PROGRAM
http://www.panda.org/climate/
A program of the World Wildlife Fund to track changes in the world’s
climates. Sections: Climate Causes, Climate Impacts, and Climate Solutions.
Very Good
CONGO GORILLA FOREST
NEW!
http://www.congogorillaforest.com/congohome
"Welcome to the Wildlife Conservation Society's online tour of the amazing
Congo Gorilla Forest exhibit at the Bronx Zoo. This huge 6.5 acre African
rain forest environment explains WHAT a rain forest is, HOW it works, WHICH
animals make it their home, WHY it is threatened and HOW people can help
save it. With more than 300 animals, including one of the largest breeding
groups of lowland gorillas, it is the most spectacular exhibit ever created
at the Bronx Zoo." Sections: Introduction, Congo Virtual Tour, Meet
the Congo Residents, Conservation Choices, Play a Congo Game and WCS Home
Page. Very Good
CREATURE WORLD – KRATT’S CREATURES
http://www.pbs.org/kratts/world/index.html
Colorful companion site to the TV series. Sections: Creature World
(clickable globe), Creature Crazy, Don’t Go This Way, Creature Clubhouse,
Episode Guide and Creature of the Week. Very Good
DLTK’S EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/earth.html
Earth Day fun for kindergarten students. Sections: About Earth Day (songs,
poem), Earth Day Coloring Pages, Earth Day Crafts, Earth Day E-cards, Earth
Day On-line Games, and The Water Cycle. Very Good
E PATROL
http://www.epatrol.org/
Student focused site with information on Endangered Alert, Energy Savers,
Eco-Info, E-Patrol Quiz, and Screensaver. Very Good
EARTH DAY AT PRIMARY GAMES
http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/earth_day/earthday.htm
Holiday fun for primary students. Includes coloring pages, games and more.
Very Good
EARTH DAY ENERGY FAST
http://www.earthdayenergyfast.org/
A wealth of information on the ways we waste energy and affect the
environment every day. Promotes "pulling the plug" on Earth Day to save
resources. Sections: Take Action, Threats to Nature, Global Warming, Energy
Facts & Insights, Environmental Resources, About Earth Day, and Links.
Includes a Teacher’s section. Very Good
EARTH DAY NETWORK
http://www.earthday.net/
Includes: How To; Today’s Headlines; Grist Magazine; What Happened Around
the World on Earth Day 2005; Earth Car-Free Day, Earth Day Events; and more.
Includes an Earth Day and Schools section and a Teacher’s Corner. Very Good
EARTH FLOOR – BIOMES
NEW!
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/biomes.html
Students explore various biomes. Sections: Biomes, Biomes Summary, How to
Read a Climograph, Arctic Tundra, Desert, Taiga, Tropical Rainforest and
Tropical Savanna. Very Good
EARTH FROM ABOVE
http://home.fujifilm.com/efa/
A large collection of aerial photos from around the world. These are aerial
photos of the landscape, villages, natural features such as rivers and
oceans and much more. Sections: Surface Navigator, Motion Graphics (full
themed multimedia presentations with soundtracks), Photo Index, Download
Area, Information, Exhibition Guide. Very Good
EARTHWATER STENCILS – STORM DRAIN STENCILING
NEW URL!
http://www.earthwater-stencils.com/
"Storm drain stenciling is an educational, interactive tool to engage people
of all ages in community involvement for watershed pollution prevention. It
is an action project for students and community involvement for adults."
The stencils let people know that the runoff from the drain goes
directly into nearby streams, lakes or rivers. Has detailed instructions.
Note: This site sells the stencils but you could make your own following
their directions. Very Good
ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT QUIZ
http://www.myfootprint.org/
How much of a "footprint" do you leave? You would think that one person
wouldn’t be very much but multiply the resource and energy usage and the
figures are shocking. A good discussion starter. Very Good
ECOSYSTEMS/BIOMES GAMES
http://members.aol.com/bowermanb/ecogames.html
A large collection of games on ecosystems. Very Good
EDUCATING FOR CONSERVATION: U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE
SERVICE
NEW!
http://www.fws.gov/educators/
Sections: Conservation Library, Pictures, Training Courses, Maps, Video
(videos to purchase), and FAQ. Very Good
EDUGREEN
NEW!
http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/explore.htm
A site for elementary students with information, games, puzzles, fun facts,
e-cards and more. Sections: Life on Earth, Forest, Energy, Water, Air
Pollution, Climate Change, Biotechnology and Solid Waste. Activities: Play
and Learn, Network, Surf. Very Good
EL NIŃO ONLINE METEOROLOGY GUIDE
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/eln/home.rxml
An online guide to El Nińo with 9 sections: Definitions, ’97-’98 Event,
Upswelling, Non-El Nińo Years, El Nińo Events, Sea Surface Temperatures,
Impacts on Weather, Economic Impacts, and Detection & Prediction. Very Good
ENDANGERED SPECIES OF THE NEXT MILLENNIUM – A THINKQUEST
SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/25014/english.index.shtml?tqskip1=1
A student-created site on endangered species. Sections:
Introduction, What?, Why?, How?, Species Profiles, Media Gallery, and Facts
& Quotes. The Media Gallery contains several video and sound clips from the
San Diego Zoo. Very Good
ENVIRONMENTAL INQUIRY
http://ei.cornell.edu/
A website developed to help students conduct environmental science research.
Each section discusses the topic and provides suggestions for further
research. Very Good
ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY
NEW!
http://www.eia-international.org/
"Working undercover to expose international environmental crime
-such as the illegal trade in wildlife, illegal logging and trade in timber
species, and the world-wide trade in ozone depleting substances - EIA has
directly brought about changes in international laws and the policies of
governments, saving the lives of millions of rare and endangered animals and
putting a stop to the devastating effects of environmental criminals."
Sections: Species in Peril, Success Stories, Forests for the World, and
Global Environment. Very Good
ENVIRONMENTAL SCORECARD
http://scorecard.org/
Get environmental maps for different issues such as air and water
pollution. Enter your zip code to get an environmental scorecard for your
local area. See what pollutants are being released into your community and
who’s doing it. Very Good
EPA WATER – KIDS STUFF – NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION
http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/NPS/kids/
Kids stuff from the EPA’s Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds. Fun
activities and games. Sections: Masterbug Theater (slideshow), What’s Wrong
with This Picture? (puzzle), Darby Duck and the Aquatic Crusaders, Splash
(game), Ground Water & Drinking Water Kids Page, Office of Water Kids Stuff
and Links. Very Good
THE EVERGLADES ECOSYSTEM
NEW!
http://www.nps.gov/ever/eco/
Information on the ecosystem of the Florida Everglades National Park.
Sections: Everglades 101: Introduction to the Ecosystem, Everglades
Habitats, Endangered Species, Animal Profiles, Geology, Florida Bay
Interagency Science Center, A Park in Danger: Threats and Restoration
Efforts, Fire Management, Research, Species Checklist and History. Very Good
EXPEDITION: ENDANGERED - EXPLORING A WORLD AT RISK
http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/Endangered/index.html
An online exhibit of the American Museum of Natural History on endangered
species. Use the Expedition Guide at the left to choose your expedition.
Includes: Endangered Animals, Endangered Habitats, Glossary, Causes of
Endangerment, and more. Very Good
FRANK POTTER’S SCIENCE GEMS – LIFE SCIENCE I
http://www.sciencegems.com/life.html#6
A long list of links to lesson plans and activities on life science for K-12
grades. Very Good
THE FUTURE: OUR PLANET IN 2050 – A THINKQUEST SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/C008050/?tqskip1=1&tqtime=0322
A look at three current environmental issues, what is happening and what can
be done. Sections: Depletion of the Ozone Layer, Antarctica & Global
Warming, and Electric Cars. Note: We found a couple of broken links on this
site. Very Good
GARBAGE: HOW CAN MY COMMUNITY REDUCE WASTE?
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/garbage/intro.html
A PBS site that focuses on the enormous problem of garbage and waste
products that we need to dispose of and ways to reduce it. Sections: Solid
Waste, Hazardous Waste, Sewage, Global Efforts, The Future, and Related
Resources. Very Good
GEOTHERMAL EDUCATION
http://geothermal.marin.org/
Geothermal energy is widely used in some parts of the world. This site
explains geothermal energy and provides classroom resources for teaching
about it. Sections: Geothermal Facts, Worldwide Data & Map, Geothermal
Slideshow, Ask an Expert, More About Energy, More Hot Websites, and
Classroom & Public Education Materials. Very Good
GEO-TOPICS – ENVIRONMENT
http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/topics/ecosystem.html
A page of links to environmental topics and information on habitats. Very
Good
GROUNDWATER BASICS – KIDS CORNER
http://www.groundwater.org/kc/kc.html
Groundwater basic information and activities for students and
teachers. Includes games and puzzles. Very Good
GROUNDWATER: NATURE’S HIDDEN TREASURE
http://www.ec.gc.ca/water/en/info/pubs/FS/e_FSA5.htm
Information from Canada about groundwater. Note: Click on Topics (green
button) for a large number of environmental topics. Very Good
HAPPY EARTH DAY COLORING AND ACTIVITY BOOK
http://www.epa.gov/region5/publications/happy/happy.htm
An 11-page coloring and activity book to download and print out full of tips
for making the Earth a better place. Very Good
HAWAII’S LIVING TREASURES – A THINKQUEST QUEST
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002491/
A site by students for students. Follow the junior park ranger Kalani as she
searches for Hawaiian wildlife. Sections: Hawaii’s Living Treasures, Bird
Watching Game, Beyond O’hia Valley, and Resources. Includes video clips.
Very Good
INDOOR AND OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION
http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/pollution-main.html
Looks at the types of air pollution and their causes. Includes Classroom
Activities. Very Good
JUNGLE PHOTOS
http://www.junglephotos.com/
"Welcome to Jungle Photos! Here you can see hundreds of images of animals,
plants, scenery and people from the Amazon rainforest in tropical South
America. All photos have explanations, so scroll down to read about the
image. Our mission is to provide the world with accurate information and
excellent images to inspire people to support rainforest conservation and
education." Sections: Animals, Plants, Scenery, People, Towns and
Lots More! Includes maps, satellite images and children’s artwork. Suitable
for elementary students. Very Good
KIDS FOR SAVING EARTH
http://www.kidsforsavingearth.org/
Materials for kids on the environment. Includes lots of classroom activities
to print out. Note: We were able to see and print several sections for free.
There is a paid membership, also. Very Good
LIMNOLOGY – FACTS AND FUN (THE STUDY OF FRESH WATER
RIVERS AND LAKES) – A THINKQUEST SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/11548/?tqskip1=1
A student-created site on limnology, the study of fresh water rivers and
lakes. Sections: Guide to Limnology, Background, the Water Cycle, Types of
Water, Catchment, Algae, Tests, Salinity, Practice, Case Study, Articles &
Contacts and Results. Very Good
LIVING IN HARMONY WITH WETLANDS
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/highlights/wetlands/
Information on wetlands habitats. Sections: Where the Wetlands Are; Not All
Wetlands Are Alike; Wetlands Are Busy Places; Plant Life, Wildlife and
Endangered Species; Where You Can Learn More About Living with Wetlands; Fun
Facts: Wet Meadows and Agriculture; and People, Wetlands and Wild Rice. Very
Good
LOS ANGELES RIVER CONNECTION
http://www.lalc.k12.ca.us/target/units/river/riverweb.html
A tour of the entire 50+ miles of the Los Angeles River, from its headwaters
in the San Fernando Valley to its mouth in Long Beach, California. There are
twelve points along the photo tour. Additional topics include: Plants,
Animals, Birds, Microorganisms, Water, Human Impact, Art, History and
Organizations. Includes maps, background information and Lessons and
Investigations. Very Good
THE MICROBE ZOO
NEW!
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/dlc-me/zoo/
A site on microbial ecology that discusses the role of microbes in the
environment. Sections: Information, Dirt Land, Animal Pavilion, Snack Bar,
Space Adventure, and Water World. Something different. Very Good
NATIONAL LIBRARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
http://www.ncseonline.org/nle/index.cfm?&CFID=7205202&CFTOKEN=6757300
A gateway to environmental and science issues and information. Very Good
THE NATURE OF WATER
http://www.ec.gc.ca/water/en/nature/e_nature.htm
Information from Canada about water and aquatic resources and ecosystems.
Sections: Aquatic Ecosystems, Groundwater, Lakes, Permafrost, Properties of
Water, Rivers, Sediment, Snow & Ice, Water & Climate and Wetlands. Very Good
OZONE DEPLETION
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/
"Welcome to EPA's ozone depletion web area! Within this area
you'll find information about the science of ozone depletion, information
about the regulatory approach to protecting the ozone layer, and information
on alternatives to ozone-depleting substances, as well as information on a
number of other topics." Sections: Chemicals, Resource Center, Ozone
Science, Rules & Regulations, Enforcement, Alternatives/SNAP, Montreal
Protocol, and Fun Stuff. The Fun Stuff section has two crossword puzzles and
activities for kids. Very Good
THE OZONE HOLE TOUR
http://www.atm.ch.cam.ac.uk/tour/
A look at the depletion of the ozone layer of the atmosphere and,
particularly, of the discovery of a hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica.
The tour takes viewers through the process from discovery to current
readings. The site includes images and video clips. Very Good
PEOPLE AND PLANET
NEW!
http://www.peopleandplanet.net/
"Welcome to the People & the Planet website. This provides a global gateway
to the greatest issue of our time: the future health and wellbeing of the
human family as it presses ever more heavily on the natural resources of our
planet. Happy browsing in our 16 topic sections and Picture Gallery - and
please send us your feedback" Includes: Population Pressures, Food
and Agriculture, Health and Pollution, Coasts and Oceans, Renewable Energy,
Poverty and Trade, Climate Change, Green Industry, Eco Tourism,
Biodiversity, Mountains, Forests, Water, Cities and Global Action. Includes
a Factfile, Glossary and more. Very Good
POWERING A GENERATION OF CHANGE
http://americanhistory.si.edu/powering/
A Smithsonian project "to document the story of electrical power
restructuring in North America as it unfolds over the coming years."
Sections: Throw the Switch, Powering the Past, Understanding Deregulation,
Deregulation Perspectives, Visions of Power and References & Links. Very
Good
QUEST OF THE RING LEADERS – GAME
http://www.hi-cone.com/ringleader/quest/welcome.asp
An adventure game. Become a Ring Leader and travel to distant worlds
that are destroying themselves. Use your powers to save them. Very Good
RECYCLING AND COMPOSTING
http://www.eagle.ca/~matink/themes/Environ/recycle.html
Information on recycling and composting and then lesson plans. Also
in Lesson Plans section. Very Good
SCHOOLYARD ECOLOGY LEADERS HANDBOOK
http://www.ecostudies.org/syefest/
A printable handbook for teachers who want to develop an school-based
ecology program. "many of the strategies and resources included here
are useful for anyone who works with teachers to get their students doing
inquiry-based ecology on the school grounds." Very Good
SOLUTIONS SITE FOR KIDS
http://www.solutions-site.org/kids/introduction.htm
The site looks at environmental issues and the solutions people are finding
to specific problems and how these solutions can be applied elsewhere.
Sections: Population, Health, Development, and the Environment. Also Learn
and Do; Contests; and Talk. Very Good
SONGS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/2400/
Promotes the use of songs and music in environmental education. Contains
articles (including getting children started in writing their own songs),
lesson plans and more. Click on Other Related Sites for links to lists of
songs. Very Good
SQUIGLY’S EARTH DAY FUN
http://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/Holidays/EarthDay.html
Coloring pages, Crafts, Pencil Puzzles, Postcards, Online Games & Activities
and Vote. Very Good
A THOUSAND FRIENDS OF FROGS
http://cgee.hamline.edu/frogs/index.html
Information on frogs for teachers and students. Sections: Teachers,
Students, Science and Resources. Includes classroom activities in the
Resources section. Very Good
TIGER HOMES
NEW!
http://www.tigerhomes.org/education.cfm
"Tigerhomes.org is a privately-run exotic animal sanctuary that
strives to stimulate a global interest in wildlife conservation, education,
and habitat protection via the Internet. We serve our goals by inviting our
members, fans, teachers, students, and the general public directly into the
naturalistic habitats and lives of the sanctuary resident Tigers, Lions,
Leopards, Lemurs, and other rare and endangered animals." Includes
several Animal Cams, Video Gallery, Photo Gallery, Education Center and
more. The Video Gallery includes online video clips of the animals. Very
Good
TROPICAL RAINFORESTS – ENCHANTED LEARNING
http://www.zoomschool.com/subjects/rainforest/
Information for primary students on rainforests. Provides a basic
explanation. Click on animal printouts for coloring pages. Very Good
UNDERSEA AND OVERSEE
http://sln.fi.edu/oceans/index.html
Information from the Franklin Institute about the oceans and how to protect
them. Sections: Understand the Oceans, Undersea Life, Classroom Resources,
and Career Resources. The Classroom Resources section includes lesson
plans. Very Good
VIRTUAL COURSEWARE – GLOBAL WARMING
NEW!
http://vcourseware5.calstatela.edu/eec/GlobalWarming/
A web-based activity on global warming. Includes a section for Educators.
Sections: Demonstrations, Energy Budget Model, Future Climate Change, and
Tutorials. Note: You have to register your class to participate but it
appears to be free. Very Good
VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS
http://www.student.richmond.edu/%7Ecj9jf/biomes.htm
"Take your students on a virtual field trip using the Internet and all it
has to offer to learn more about different environments throughout the
world. The goal of this webquest is to help your students visually see some
of the different environments and actually experience what they are like and
what the different sounds/animals of each environment are." Has a
large number of links to get started. Very Good
THE VIRTUAL NUCLEAR TOURIST – NUCLEAR PLANTS AROUND THE
WORLD
http://www.virtualnucleartourist.com/
Provides a "virtual tour" of nuclear power plants around the world with
information on where they are, what kinds there are, how they operate and
more. Includes photos. A very large site. Note: Some info is no longer
available due to security concerns. Very Good
THE VIRTUAL RAINFOREST
NEW URL!
http://www.msu.edu/~brechtjo/VRainforest/
Users "can choose between two online
tours of the rainforest, filled with beautiful pictures and interesting
facts. The Virtual Rainforest was designed for all ages, but with particular
emphasis on teaching children about tropical rainforests". Viewers
choose the regular tour in which you navigate with the mouse through a photo
of a rainforest to other pages. The second tour is a slide show. Good for
elementary classes. Very Good
THE WARMING OF THE EARTH – A BEGINNERS’ GUIDE TO
UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE OF GLOBAL WARMING
http://www.whrc.org/globalwarming/warmingearth.htm
Information on global warming. Sections: The Greenhouse Effect, Scientific
Evidence, The Culprits, Potential Outcome, What the Skeptics Don’t Tell You,
the Kyoto Protocol and References. From the Woods Hole Research Center. Very
Good
THE WATER CYCLE
NEW!
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycle.html
A printable diagram of the water cycle. Available in several languages.
Click on the sections of the diagram online for links to detailed
information on each section ie, Condensation, Spring, etc. Very Good
WATER SCIENCE FOR SCHOOLS
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/index.html
"Welcome to the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Water Science for Schools
web site! We offer information on many aspects of water, along with
pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can give opinions
and test your water knowledge." Topics include: Earth’s Water, Water
Basics, Water-use Information, Water Q&A, Activity Center, Picture Gallery,
Glossary of Water Terms, and more. Very Good
THE WATERSHED GAME
NEW URL!
http://www.bellmuseum.org/distancelearning/watershed/watershed2.html
"Welcome, ……….. , to the Watershed Game! There are two levels in this game:
Novice and Intermediate. The novice level is for third and fourth graders,
or anyone who isn't sure what a watershed is. You don't have to start with
the novice level, but it'll give you a good introduction to the ideas in the
intermediate level. And you can jump into the intermediate level anytime you
like—just click on one of the pictures on the left to start making decisions
about your watershed! In the intermediate level, you'll be in charge of your
watershed, making decisions about recreation, agriculture, transportation,
and many more things. Can you make the right choices to ensure a healthy
watershed?" Very Good
WEALTH OF THE RAINFOREST
http://rain-tree.com/index.html
Information from Raintree, Inc. on the wealth of resources in the rainforest
that can be used responsibly. Includes a great deal of information on the
medical benefits of rainforest plants. Sections: Rainforest Plant Database;
Rainforest Information, Facts, & Preservation; Help with Rainforest School
Reports; A Gallery of Rainforest Pictures; links and more. The photo gallery
is outstanding. Very Good
WELCOME TO THE WETLANDS
http://www.lethsd.ab.ca/mmh/grade5/wetlands/page1.htm
Basic information on the types of wetlands. Sections: Wetlands of Alberta
(Canada), Wetlands of the World, Wetland Animals, Types of Wetlands, Food
Chains, Wetland Worries, and Links. Note: Some of the links were broken.
Very Good
WETLAND WATCH
NEW!
http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/scizone/e3/wetland/default.asp
Check out the webcam on the wetlands at the Ontario Science Center. Includes
video clips of past cam shots. Play Croaker Concentration to match up
the frog sounds. Also, play Secrets of the Marsh a game about food
webs. Very Good
THE WILD HABITAT – A THINKQUEST SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/11234/?tqskip1=1
A student-created site on different habitats. Sections: Polar and
Mountainous Regions; Savanna and Grasslands; Tropical Rainforest; and
Woodland Areas. Each briefly discusses the habitat and the animals found
there. Click on Fun and Games for games and animal quizzes. Very good for
elementary students. Very Good
THE WILD ONES
http://www.thewildones.org/
Information for kids on the work of the Wildlife Trust. They learn about
endangered animals and the people who work to protect them. Sections:
Bioscapes, Sense of Place, Wildlife, Humans, and Curriculum. The Curriculum
section includes lesson plans and other resources. Very Good
ALFY’S PICKS FOR EARTH DAY
NEW!
http://www.alfy.com/teachers/teach/thematic_units/Earth_Day/Earth_Day_1.asp
Eight links for Earth Day for elementary students. Good
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES
http://www.cc.utah.edu/~ptt25660/tran.html
Information on finding and developing alternative energy sources. Sections:
Solar, Wind Power, Geothermal, Tides, Hydroelectric and Reference Page.
Basic information for elementary students. Good
AMERICA RECYCLES DAY – NOVEMBER 15, 2005
http://www.americarecyclesday.org/home.html
Information about America Recycles Day which is November 15th.
Includes basic information on why and what we recycle and ideas for
participation. Note: Hasn’t yet been updated for 2006. Good
AMERICA’S PRIVATE LAND – A GEOGRAPHY OF HOPE
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/pub/GHopeHit.html
"Explore the State of Our Land! America's Private Land, A Geography of Hope
tells the story of America's private, non-urban land. Private land is
America's working land. It produces food and fiber, and much, much more: It
also produces clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat, healthy and
productive soil, and scenic landscapes. But this story is more than a
national report card on the state of our Nation's natural resources; it will
help the reader learn to think about land (soil, water, air, plants, and
animals) in a different way. A Geography of Hope is a call to action, a call
to renew our national commitment to America's private land and private
landowners. The Nation will never achieve its goals for conservation and
environmental quality if farmers and ranchers and all other private
landowners are not engaged in a cooperative effort to use the land according
to its capabilities. You'll get the facts and figures on natural resources
from A Geography of Hope, all woven into a framework of land stewardship and
a vision for natural resource management in the 21st century." A
government publication you can download (free) or order (fee). Good
ARCTIC POLAR PAIRS – GAME
http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/game/
A matching game in which you match up the animals as you learn about their
habits and habitats. Then click on the Arctic Wildlife Portfolio to learn
more. Good
ASK THE ANSWER WORM!
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/education/squirm/skworm.html
"Ask the Answer Worm! It’s a dirty job but someone has to do it--S.K.Worm,
the official annelid, or worm, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Natural Resources Conservation Service answers students’ questions about
soil. Even their teachers can’t wiggle their way out of this one! Slither
your way through these soiled questions and earn a very special diploma. You
might even get hooked on Soil!" Good
AUNTIE POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS COLORING
BOOKS
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/colauntie.htm
Twenty-four coloring pages to download and print to color, all on
environmental topics. Good
BACKYARD CONSERVATION TIP SHEETS
NEW URL!
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/
Tip sheets on topics such as composting, mulching, water conservation and
more. Online and printable PDF files. Good
BIODIVERSITY CROSSWORD PUZZLE
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/xwords/19980901.html
A crossword puzzle from the New York Times on biodiversity. Good
BIO-TECH LIFE SCIENCE DICTIONARY
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
A dictionary of life science terms. Good
BIOMES AND ECOZONES – A RESEARCH GUIDE FOR STUDENTS
http://www.aresearchguide.com/biomes.html
A page of links to websites about biomes and ecosystems. Good
BIOMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/xwords/20000402.html
A crossword puzzle from the New York Times on biomes. Good
BURNING ISSUES – AIR POLLUTION
http://www.webcom.com/~bi/
Extensive information on the health issues of wood smoke and other fine
particulates in the air. Includes fact sheets, tables and more. Good
CARE FOR THE WILD
http://www.careforthewild.org/
An organization dedicated to saving wildlife from poaching and habitat
destruction. Children can adopt an animal or send in drawings of the animals
shown on the site. Includes animal fact sheets. Good
CAUGHT IN THE WEB: STOP WILDLIFE TRADE ON THE INTERNET
NEW!
http://www.caughtintheweb.co.uk/site/c.omL4KkN2LtH/b.951745/k.736C/Caught_in_the_Web__Home.htm
Information for students on the trade of wildlife through the Internet.
"The Internet is increasingly being used to buy and sell wildlife on a
vast scale. This trade in live animals and parts of endangered species is
causing untold suffering to millions of exotic animals traded as "pets" and
pushing endangered species closer to extinction. Much of the global wildlife
trade is illegal and those involved risk heavy penalties and prison
sentences." Includes readings and more. Good
CAVE BIOTA WEBUMENTARY
NEW!
http://www.cavebiota.com/
A collection of video clips on lifeforms in caves such as bats, millipedes,
fish and more. Good
CHANGES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE SHEET
NEW URL!
http://octopus.gma.org/surfing/antarctica/ice.html
"The Antarctic ice sheet changes in size over the course of a year, as you
can see in this animation. When it is summer in the southern hemisphere (our
winter) the ice sheet decreases in size. As the ice sheet melts it releases
fresh water into the ocean. In the southern winter (our summer) the ice
refreezes, drawing fresh water out of the surrounding ocean, leaving the
salt behind. These seasonal changes in the ice sheet can be examined by
satellite imagery. NOAA keeps track of what the ice cover is on a daily
basis in Antarctica." Good
COMPOSTING FOR KIDS
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/sustainable/slidesets/kidscompost/cover.html
A slide show for elementary students on composting. Good
CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
NEW!
http://www.conservation.org/xp/CIWEB/
An international organization with a wide range of conservation projects.
Good
THE CYBERZOO: BIOMES
NEW!
http://lsb.syr.edu/projects/cyberzoo/biome.html
A student-created site that places animals in the context of their biome – a
cyber zoo. Sections available: Biomes, History, Forum, Global, Animal List
and Animal Movies. The Animal Movies section has video clips of animals such
as geese, turkeys, bears, birds and more. Suitable for grades 4 and up. Good
DEATH OF THE DREAM – FARMHOUSES IN THE HEARTLAND
NEW!
http://www.pbs.org/ktca/farmhouses/
A companion site to the PBS program. Sections: The Film and More, Homes on
the Prairie, Literary Connection, Virtual Farmhouse, A Sustainable Future
and Resources. Good
DELAWARE RIVERKEEPER NETWORK
http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/index.html
Information on the Delaware Riverkeeper Network which is dedicated to
preserving and protecting the Delaware River watershed. Find out what’s
happening locally. Good
DINO PAL TIPS TO SAVE THE EARTH
http://members.aol.com/kidz4peace/dinopals/earthday.htm
A page with six simple tips to save energy such as turning off lights and
planting a tree. A worksheet for primary students. Good
DISCOVER CANADA’S WETLANDS
http://www.aquatic.uoguelph.ca/wetlands/wetlandframes.htm
An online book with photos on all aspects of wetlands. Most locations in
Canada. Good
EARTH DAY 2006 – UPDATED FOR 2006
http://earthday.envirolink.org/
Includes the history of Earth Day and suggestions for Earth Day events. Good
EARTH DAY 2006
NEW!
http://www.earthsite.org/
Information on the origin of Earth Day. Includes: Earth Charter, Earth Day,
Earth Magna Charta, The 77 Theses, Earth Day Founder and more. Good
EARTH DAY GROCERIES
http://www.earthdaybags.org/
"The Earth Day Groceries Project is a cost-free environmental awareness
project in which students decorate paper grocery bags with environmental
messages for Earth Day." Good
EARTH DAY ON YOUR BLOCK
http://www.allspecies.org/neigh/block.htm
Detailed instructions on planning and organizing an Earth Day block party
and neighborhood cleanup/beautification project. Includes ideas such as
picking up trash, planting a garden, a pet parade, a compost demonstration
and more. Can be adapted to a school environment. Good
EARTHSAVERS WATER CONSERVATION TIPS FOR KIDS
http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,22-5860,00.html
A brief list of tips for water conservation for kids. Good
EARTHTRUST- WILDLIFE CONSERVATION WORLDWIDE
http://www.earthtrust.org/
Site for an organization with wildlife conservation and protection programs,
mostly focused on dolphins and marine life. Good
EARTHWORKS
NEW!
http://www.earthworks-jobs.com/
"Jobs in energy, oil, mining, geoscience, seismology, geodesy, earth system
science, environmental science, remediation, contaminated land, agriculture,
forestry, ecology, plant science, meteorology, atmospheric science,
oceanography, marine science, hydrology, hydrogeology, soil science, remote
sensing, GIS, geomatics, geotechnical / civil engineering, asbestos
surveying, EIA, EMS, waste management and related subjects" This
site has job postings and jobs wanted. Shows students the wide range of jobs
available. Good
ECO-EARTH.INFO – THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY PORTAL
NEW!
http://www.ecoearth.info/
A portal to a large number of links to websites on the environment and
environmental issues. Also various news articles, discussion forums, blogs,
and more. Good
ECONET
NEW!
http://www.owc.org.mn/econet/html/home.htm
Sections: Population, Competition, Symbios, Cycles, Biomes and more. Each
section has several subsections with information. Includes Links. Good
ECOPHOTOGRAPHY
NEW URL!
http://www.ecophotography.com/
An online gallery of nature photos from Jerry and Marcy Monkman. Focuses on
New England. Photos. Good
ECOREGIONS – SIERRA CLUB
http://www.sierraclub.org/ecoregions/
Information on the ecoregions as divided by the Sierra Club. Each section
talks about the ecosystems and the problems facing them. Good
ECOSYSTEMS/BIOMES
http://members.aol.com/bowermanb/ecosystems.html
A page of links to websites on ecosystems and biomes. Good
ECOSYSTEMS/BIOMES GAMES
http://www.quia.com/jg/515.html
Four word games on ecosystems and biomes. Matching, Concentration,
Flashcards, and Word Search. Good
EL NIŃO AND LA NIŃA – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow5/feb99/index.html
An examination of the ocean events termed El Nińo and El Nińa. A
student-created site. Good
ENDANGERED OR EXTINCT
http://www.nature.ca/notebooks/english/enexpg.htm
A list of endangered or extinct animals, each with an illustration and
specifics. Good
ENDANGERED SPECIES COLORING BOOK
http://www.epa.gov/espp/coloring/index.htm
A printable coloring book for kids on endangered species. "This
picture book will introduce you to 21 endangered and threatened plants and
animals found in the United States. Print the pages and use your crayons to
bring to life oceans, swamps, deserts, islands and a variety of plants and
animals. If we all work together, we can continue to share the earth with
these fascinating and important species and enjoy them in the wild -- not
only in the pages of books." Good
ENDANGERED SPECIES CROSSWORD PUZZLE
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/xwords/20000802.html
A crossword puzzle from the New York Times on endangered species. Good
ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT – LINKS
http://zebu.uoregon.edu/energy.html
A page of links to websites on energy and the environment. Good
ENERGY CONSERVATION
http://www.spa3.k12.sc.us/GuidedTours/Energy/EnergyConservation.html
Activities for primary students on energy conservation. Good
ENERGY CONSERVATION GAME
http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/em526/popupActivity.html
A brief matching game in which students match items to their energy saving
equals. Good
ENVIRONMENT CANADA
http://www.ec.gc.ca/environment_e.html
Links to a long list of environmental topics. Note that a lot of the links
are specifically Canadian but many cover North America and general
information. Good
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON ENDANGERED ANIMALS
NEW!
http://library.thinkquest.org/2878/
A site for students by students on endangered animals. "This page has
been designed to increase the awareness of the effects that our actions have
on the animal life around us by supplying specific information on endangered
animals. We have chosen to first focus on forty endangered animals in
California and Texas. However, the problems are not limited to those two
states and the same ideas can be applied to plant and animal life
worldwide." Sections: Search for Animal, State Listings, State &
Federal Info, Add an Animal, The Animal Game and Other Links. Good
ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY COUNCIL
NEW!
http://www.enviroliteracy.org/
"The Environmental Literacy Council is dedicated to helping citizens,
especially young people, participate wisely in this arena. An independent,
non-profit organization, the Council gives teachers the tools to help
students develop environmental literacy: a fundamental understanding of the
systems of the world, both living and non-living, along with the analytical
skills needed to weigh scientific evidence and policy choices."
Sections: Air & Climate, Land, Water, Ecosystems, Energy, Food, and
Environment & Society. Each section includes relevant links. Good
E-SPECIES FACT SHEETS
http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/map.html
Fact sheets on animals by continent. Good
ESTUARIES – CHARACTERISTICS
http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/ocean/habitats/estuaries1.htm
Information on estuaries. Good illustrations. Good
ESTUARIES: WHERE RIVERS MEET THE SEA
NEW!
http://www.estuaries.gov/welcome.html
"This is the official Web site for National Estuaries Day and a resource for
teachers, students and anyone interested in learning more about the magical
places where rivers meet the sea National Estuaries Day is an interagency
celebration that takes place the last Saturday in September (9/30/2006). The
featured event is Estuary Live, a free, interactive field trip over the
internet hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's
National Estuarine Research Reserves in collaboration with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's National Estuary Programs. From this Web
site, you will be able to register in August 2006 and view the 2006
EstuaryLive program. Check the "Special Features" section on this page for
updates." Note: The 2004 and 2005 Estuaries Live online field trips
are archived. Good
EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY
NEW!
http://www.starfall.com/n/holiday/earthday/play.htm?f
A brief online book for primary students. They place the paper, plastic and
cans in the right receptacles to bring wildlife back to the woods and
stream. Good
EXPLORING ESTUARIES
NEW!
http://www.epa.gov/owow/estuaries/kids/index.htm
Includes: About Estuaries, Visit an Estuary (virtual tour), Games &
Activities, Teacher’s Page, Resources, Glossary and more. Includes a
Coloring Book. Good
FREE CLIPART FROM EARTH DAY AT KIDS DOMAIN
http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/earthday/clip.html
Colorful clipart from Kids Domain. Good
GET OUTDOORS! GET AWAY FROM YOUR COMPUTER!
http://sln.fi.edu/qanda/spotlight6-7/spotlight6-7.html
A photo journey from the Franklin Institute of the U.S. Good
GLOBAL FOREST
NEW!
http://www.globalforestscience.org/homepage_flash.html
An environmental action and education organization involved in forest
research and conservation. Good
GREENSCREEN – THE GLOBAL HABITAT PROGRAM
http://www.greenscreen.org/
"Nature News for Kids by Kids". Articles by kids for kids on environmental
issues. You can subscribe to print versions. The Links page has links for
students and teachers. Good
GREENSCREEN LINKS FOR KIDS AND TEACHERS
http://www.greenscreen.org/links/links.html
A good links page for students and teachers. Good
THE GREEN SQUAD
NEW!
http://www.nrdc.org/greensquad/
An resources online interactive site for students in which they investigate
ways in which their school can conserve, reuse and recycle resources.
Students follow the Green Squad members throughout the school and click on
the problem areas. Good
HAPPY EARTH DAY COLORING BOOK
NEW!
http://www.epa.gov/region5/publications/happy.pdf
A printable coloring and activities book for Earth Day. Good
HELPFUL HINTS FOR PLANET EARTH
http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/earthday/earthday.htm
A primary-level site created by students with information about Earth Day
and activities. Good
HOW TO CONSERVE ENERGY FOR FAMILIES
http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,67-5862,00.html
A brief list of tips for conserving energy at home. Good
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF WIND POWER DEVELOPMENT
http://telosnet.com/wind/
A history of wind power in the United States and abroad. Chapters:
The Case for Wind Power, Early History Through 1875, 20th Century
Developments, Government Programs, Recent Market Developments, and The
Future of Wind Power. "Information on
developments since 1975 is based primarily on my personal experience with
the U.S. Federal Wind Energy Program, my extensive reading (and editing) of
wind energy journals and research reports over the last twenty years, my
conversations with wind energy researchers, interactions with members of the
wind energy community, and my personal view of wind power developments and
of the wind industry. Opinions expressed here are my own, of course"
Good
INVESTIGATE BIODIVERSITY
NEW!
http://investigate.conservation.org/xp/IB
Sections: Basics of Biodiversity, Science Project, Expeditions, Saving
Biodiversity, Conservation Careers, and Species Focus. The Science Projects
includes a database of science fair projects. Good
INVESTIGATE THE ISLANDS
http://www.units.muohio.edu/dragonfly/webs/polis.htmlx
A look at an island ecosystem and how the plants and animals have adjusted.
For grades 2-3. Good
KIDS DO ECOLOGY
NEW!
http://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/nceas-web/kids/
Sections: Learn About Ecology, World Biomes, Marine Mammals, KDE Santa
Barbara, EcoLinks, and Conservation Projects. Includes a For Teachers
section with links. Good
KIDS ONLY – MANATEES AND DUGONGS
NEW URL!
http://www.cep.unep.org/kids/kids/
Information for kids on manatees and dugongs and the dangers that threaten
them. Each page of information includes a printable coloring page. Good
LIFE IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS
http://www.astrobiology.com/extreme.html
Information on life in places that used to be considered too extreme for
living things such as deep ocean vents and more. Good
LIGHT POLLUTION
NEW!
http://www.njaa.org/light.html
Information on the problem of light pollution with details of the problem.
Includes links and news articles. Good
LIVING WORLDS – BIOMES
NEW!
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0113340/
A site by students for students on biomes. "Each biome section on this
web site includes interesting facts about climate, location, animal and
plant adaptations, land formation, and soil. The impact section includes
information about social and environmental human disturbances that occur in
each biome. This section also offers information on conservation efforts
made in each biome. All highlighted words in the text can be clicked on for
a better explanation. All pictures can also be enlarged by clicking on them.
To start learning about biomes, choose a biome that you are interested in
from the menu at the left. You can always participate in the discussion on
biomes using the "Your Say" box on the right." Suitable for
intermediate level students. Good
THE LORAX’S SAVE THE TREES GAME
http://www.randomhouse.com/seussville/games/lorax/
A fun game for kindergarten/primary students. Catch the truffula seeds and
plant them to grow a forest. Good
MAKE A RAIN STICK FOR EARTH DAY
NEW!
http://www.kid-at-art.com/htdoc/lesson44.html
Instructions and a materials list for making a rain stick, used for
centuries by man in hopes of bringing rain. Good
MANGROVE ACTION PROJECT
NEW!
http://www.earthisland.org/map/index.htm
"MANGROVE ACTION PROJECT:: Partnering with mangrove forest communities,
grassroots NGOs, researchers and local governments to conserve and restore
mangrove forests and related coastal ecosystems, while promoting
community-based, sustainable management of coastal resources."
Articles and projects on the issue of threatened mangrove ecosystems.
Sections: About MAP, About Mangroves, Get Involved, Issues, and Solutions.
Good
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC RADIO EXPEDITIONS
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/radiox/frame.html
Heard on National Public Radio's Morning Edition, Radio Expeditions
blends narrative, interviews, and digital sound to document stories of our
world's threatened environments and diverse cultures." Expeditions:
Yellowstone Fires, Landmark Trees, Y2Y: Yellowstone to Yukon, Caribou
Crossing, and Humpback Whales. Good
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
NEW!
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/
Official site for the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection. Includes
reports, events and more. Good
NJ DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION – EARTH DAY 2006
NEW!
http://www.nj.gov/dep/seeds/earthday/eday.htm
"The purpose of the site is to support and promote the state's interests and
activities related to the annual celebrations of Environmental Education
Week, Earth Day (April 22) and Earth Week. This two-week period of
heightened public awareness provides an annual springboard to begin and
highlight new and ongoing opportunities for environmental learning and
stewardship amongst all ages. This website also serves to promote and/or
link with other environmental education and Earth Day efforts being hosted
throughout the state." Good
THE NIGHT SKY IN THE WORLD
NEW!
http://www.lightpollution.it/dmsp/
Information on light pollution and how we can measure it from satellites.
Includes: How We Surveil the Situation of the Night Sky From Satellites, The
DMSP Satellite and its Operational Linescan System, The World Atlas of Sea
Level Artificial Night Sky Brightness, Maps of the Artificial Night Sky
Brightness, Maps of the Total Night Sky Brightness, Maps of the Growth of
Light Pollution and more. Good
NJ OZONE ACTION
http://www.ridewise.org/ozone/ozmore.htm
Information on ozone pollution in New Jersey. Brief but informative. Good
OCEAN PLANET: SEA STORE
NEW!
http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/HTML/ocean_planet_sea_store_fish.html
See how we use the ocean’s resources for trade, food and more. Sections:
SEAcrets, PharmaSEA, SEAfoods, Inspiring FantaSEA, Via SEAways, SightSEAing,
SEA Services, and Smart SEA Shopping. Good
ON CRAWFORD’S POND
http://home.insightbb.com/~g.mager/Pond/Crawfords-pond.html
"Crawford's Pond is not an ordinary pond that you would find in the meadow.
As a matter of fact it is not even outside! I am Mrs. Crawford and our pond
is in my 5th grade classroom. Every week my students are able to observe,
ask questions and devise experiments to explore pond life. I have created a
curriculum and my students have gathered research, all of which is presented
in this site." Good
POLLUTION – A THINKQUEST SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/C005003F/?tqskip1=1
A student-created site on pollution. Sections: Air, Water, Acid Rain, Soil,
Food and Sound. Good
POLLUTION WORD SEARCH
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/kids/word.html
A word search game on pollution. Good
RECYCLING COLORING BOOK
http://www.greenvalley.com/coloring/colorme1.html
Coloring pages to print out on recycling. Good
SCHOOL BUILDING ENERGY SURVEY
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/classactivities/SchoolBuildingSurveyIntermediate.pdf
A survey sheet students can use to determine the energy efficiency of their
school. Good
SEA TURTLE TRACKING PROGRAM
NEW!
http://www.cccturtle.org/sat1.htm
Students can follow the migration of sea turtles being tracked by satellite.
Good
SEEDS – NJ STATE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION DIRECTORY
WEBSITE
NEW!
http://www.nj.gov/dep/seeds/
"This web site was designed, and is maintained by, the Environmental
Education Program in the Office of Communications, part of the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The site is updated on a
regular basis. Its comprehensiveness and currency are made possible through
the ongoing cooperation of numerous department programs and staff.
The purpose of this web site is two-fold:
To promote the environmental education information and resources that are
directly supported by DEP, either through its programs or through formal and
ongoing alliances and partnerships; and,
To educate the public about the field of environmental education, including
its purpose, goals and role in the DEP.The availability of the resources,
expertise and materials listed varies from program to program. In most cases
the materials are free of copyright restrictions and can be freely
reproduced.
Users of these materials, projects and programs should note that they
usually can be adapted to many instructional settings and audiences beyond
what is recommended at this site." Check out "Classroom Materials"
for print-outs, activities and much more. Good
SOUTHEAST ASIA’S ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE – RADIO EXPEDITIONS
NEW!
http://www.npr.org/programs/re/archivesdate/2003/nov/wildlife/index.html
Hear the audio of this NPR program on the illegal trade in wildlife. There
are additional radio program links at the bottom for additional programs.
Good
SPACE RADAR IMAGES OF EARTH
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/radar/sircxsar/
Uses radar images of the Earth from space to produce maps with uses for
several disciplines. Sections: Archeology; Cities; Ecology & Agriculture;
Geology; Interferometry; Oceans; Rivers; Snow, Ice, Glaciers; and Volcanoes.
These are radar images, not photos. Detailed information is given of each.
Good
SPECIES UNDER THREAT
http://www.wcmc.org.uk/species/data/species_sheets/
A list of 140 threatened species with specific details. Good
STRANGE DAYS ON PLANET EARTH
NEW!
http://www.pbs.org/strangedays/index_flash.html
Companion site for a PBS series on the changes in the planet and what the
future may hold. Sections: Invaders, The One Degree Factor, Predators and
Troubled Waters. See the For Educators section for Activity Guides for the
four episodes. Note: The activities do not require viewing of the videos.
Good
TEACHERS TOOLKIT THEMES
NEW!
http://www.eagle.ca/~matink/themes.html#ENV
Check out themes for topics with pages of links. Earth Day themes:
Ecosystems/Biomes, Endangered Species, and The Environment. Each has several
sub-topics including some with lesson plans. Good
THREATENING CLOUDS: AIR POLLUTION ON THE EVE OF THE NEW
MILLENNIUM – A THINKQUEST SITE
http://library.thinkquest.org/28313/?tqskip1=1
A student-created site on air pollution. Section: CFCs, Smog, Acid Rain,
Ozone Depletion, and Global Warming. Good
THE TOXIC HOUSE
http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/toxic_flash/toxic_house_flash.html
A site on indoor air pollution from the many substances in our homes. Click
on the rooms in the blueprint to see what pollutants are present, i.e. in
carpets or lead paint. Good
TREE MUSKETEERS
http://www.treemusketeers.org/index.asp
"Marcie the Marvelous Tree inspired third graders in 1987 to launch
TREE MUSKETEERS as the nation’s first youth environmental organization–a
nonprofit charity where kids are boss! While taking action to help the
planet, kids teach other kids to become active citizens and community
leaders. Neighborhood by neighborhood, kids can rescue Earth!" Get
ideas for programs. Good
TROPICAL COLORING BOOK
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/education/kids/coloring-book/index.html
Printable pages for coloring. On screen they are filled in, click on the
picture to get a copy suitable for coloring. Good
WASTE PREVENTION CLIPART
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/gallery/wasteprev/default.asp
Clipart on waste prevention so students can create their own
posters and other activities. Good
WATER POLLUTION
http://www.njscuba.net/biology/misc_pollution.html
Information on the types of water pollution from New Jersey Scuba Diver.
Good, detailed information. Good
THE WETLANDS INSTITUTE
http://www.wetlandsinstitute.org/
Official site of the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor. Not much
information online. Good place for a field trip. Good
WETLANDS READING LIST FOR K-12
NEW!
http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/wetlands/science/readlist.html
A reading list of books on wetlands for grades K-12. Grouped by grade level.
Good
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/kids/whatwrng.htm
A page to printout showing people polluting. Students have to find the wrong
activities. Good
WILDAID
NEW!
http://www.wildaid.org/eng.asp?CID=1
An organization dedicated to stopping the illegal trade of wildlife. Check
out: The Illegal Wildlife Trade and Endangered Species Overview sections.
Good
WILDFLOWERS COLORING BOOK
NEW!
http://www.nps.gov/plants/color/txhill/
Print out these pages and color. Includes a separate coloring guide for each
page to tell what colors. Although the book is from Texas, many are common
wildflowers. Good
WOODSY OWL
http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/woodsy/
Known since 1970 for his "Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute", Woodsy’s new message
is "Lend a Hand – Care for the Land". Includes Coloring Sheets and an
Activity Guide with samples and where to send for the complete guide. Good
THE WORLD’S BIOMES
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/index.html
A look at the world’s biomes: Aquatic, Desert, Forest, Grasslands, and
Tundra. Good
YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART! – SING ALONG MIDIS AND LYRICS
ON THE ENVIRONMENT
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/musicchild.htm
A list of songs with lyrics and midi files for children to sing along. Good
LESSON PLANS & CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
ABOUT A TREE: THE LIFE AND WORK OF EMERGING EXPLORER MARK
OLSON – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/06/g912/molson.html
A lesson plan on extinct and threatened plant species for grades 9-12.
"In this lesson, students will learn about Olson's efforts to identify
extinct or nearly extinct plants, and the reasons for the plant losses, and
consider the issues surrounding conservation efforts in these dry tropical
regions. Students will read articles highlighting the tension between
wildlife conservation and agriculture, compare the perspectives of those who
are most intensely involved in both, and form an opinion as to what might be
done to resolve the conflict. Students will research both sides of the issue
and write an editorial or letter to Congress supporting their opinion."
Excellent
ACID RAIN – LESSON PLANS
NEW!
http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/edu/Lessons/AcidRLessonPlan.htm
A set of five lesson plans for grades 6-8 on acid rain. Excellent
ACTION BIOSCIENCE – LESSON PLANS
http://www.actionbioscience.org/lessondirectory.html
Lesson plans in six areas of bioscience: Biodiversity, Environment,
Genomics, Biotechnology, Evolution, and New Frontiers. Go to the Home Page
for the articles on each topic. Excellent Also in Websites section
ALIEN INVASIONS: EXAMINING INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES IN YOUR
COMMUNITY – LESSON PLAN NEW!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20050726tuesday.html
A lesson plan on invasive species for grades 6-12. "In this lesson,
students create an educational pamphlet on the origins, spread and impact of
invasive plant species in their community." Excellent
ALLIANCE TO SAVE ENERGY LESSON PLANS
http://www.ase.org/educators/download.htm
A large number of online lesson plans on energy divided by elementary,
middle school and high school. Excellent
ANSWERING THE CALL OF THE WILD: SPECIES REINTRODUCTION
AND RESEARCHING ANIMAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/19990205friday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on animal conservation. "Students
explore wildlife conservation by investigating the reintroduction of species
into their natural habitats and by researching a species that is near
extinction. Students will then defend the protection of the endangered
species researched in class by creating an informational poster and by
writing a position paper that explains the importance of preserving this
species." Excellent
ARAL SEA IN TROUBLE – LESSON PLANS
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/activities/14/index.html
A lesson plan/classroom activity on the Aral Sea which is in danger of
disappearing. There are lesson plans for grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12, each
with a different focus. "The Aral Sea is in trouble, as are the people
who live nearby. Help figure out why people in the Aral Sea region have so
many complaints." Excellent
ARE HAMMERHEADS A KEYSTONE SPECIES? – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g68/seasshark.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-8 on keystone species. "Students will first
learn what a keystone species is, and then they will draw a simple food
chain to see why tiger sharks are considered a keystone species in Shark
Bay. Next, they will turn their attention to hammerheads, reading about the
hammerhead diet and the reasons sharks (including hammerheads) are
threatened by fishing practices. They will consider how scientists might go
about trying to determine if hammerheads are keystone species, and they will
conclude by creating public education brochures or reports describing why
this would be such a significant discovery." Excellent
THE ATMOSPHERE AND THE ENVIRONMENT: FOUR ENVIRONMENTAL
PROBLEMS – CURRICULUM GUIDE
NEW!
http://www.cis.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1993/5/93.05.02.x.html
A curriculum guide for 8th grades students on the environment. "The
unit will use a variety of teaching techniques and emphasis is placed
onhands-on experiences. How Connecticut and New Haven are affected by these
three problems (ozone, global warming and acid rain) will be emphasized.
Also, the realities and myths of each problem will be discussed.
Furthermore, an appendix of data supporting each problem will be included.
This enables the unit to be adaptable to different student abilities and
also provides practice in a critical area of science and math-interpretation
of data." Excellent
BARBALOOT SUITS: PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/06/gk2/molson.html
A lesson plan for grades K-2 on biodiversity. "In this lesson,
students will learn about how and why Olson studies plants. Students will
compare a situation in which farmers unknowingly destroyed a plant species
with the conservation themes outlined in Dr. Seuss's The Lorax, and then
summarize the Seuss work through illustration." Excellent
BE AN ENERGY SAVER – LESSON PLAN
http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=EM526&page=teacher
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on energy conservation. "This lesson
focuses on the scarce and nonrenewable nature of fossil fuels in order to
stimulate student thinking about energy conservation. It emphasizes the fact
that saving energy can be good for the wallet as well as the earth's future.
Students play a memory game that challenges them to find people-powered
substitutes for things that use electricity and gas. Students then use the
federally-mandated Energy Guide labels to estimate the cost savings of
energy- efficient home appliances. In a final activity, students explore
positive and negative economic incentives that motivate people to conserve
energy. Many federal energy-related programs and policies are featured in
this lesson. These include, besides the Energy Guide label, Energy Star
certification, the Fuel Economy Guide for motor vehicles, and a diverse
collection of taxes, tax breaks and subsidies.
In this lesson, students examine options for reducing their dependence on
energy resources, especially by substituting people power for other forms of
energy and purchasing energy efficient home appliances. Students also
explore some of the government programs that are influencing consumer
choices in the marketplace." Excellent
BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE: DEBATING THE FATE OF
ENDANGERED WILD SALMON AND THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF A DAM…..- LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/19990927monday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on endangered species. "Students will
consider what information they might need to determine how to rule on the
issue of breaching a dam in order to possibly save wild salmon versus the
potentially negative economic impact such an act might cause. They then will
investigate this scenario in depth through a class discussion about the
related article. After, they will divide into proponent and opponent teams
that will address Congress regarding the breaching of Little Goose Dam."
Excellent
BIONIC TREES: DEBATING THE VALUE OF GENETICALLY DESIGNED
TREES TO DECREASE POLLUTION AND INCREASE CONSUMER PRODUCTS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20040803tuesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on trees. "In this lesson, students
examine and evaluate the use and value of DNA technology on trees in various
contexts. They will then synthesize their knowledge by writing letters to
their congressional representatives supporting or refuting the practice of
genetically altering trees." Excellent
BIRD BATHS: CLEANING UP WILDLIFE AFTER OIL SPILLS –
LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/14/g35/dawnducks.html
A lesson plan for grades 3-5 on the effects of an oil spill on wildlife.
"In this lesson, students will explore the causes and effects of events
such as oil spills and contaminations. They will then experience first-hand
the feel of oil spills, determine an environmental problem that affects
their community, and develop an "action plan" to minimize the risk to one
form of wildlife. Finally, they will examine ways in which public and
private organizations partner to keep the environment, and its wildlife,
healthy." Excellent
BLAST FROM THE PAST: REVISITING CHERNOBYL 20 YEARS LATER
– LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20050907wednesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on the long-term effects of the Chernobyl
nuclear accident. "In this lesson, students revisit the April 1986
Chernobyl nuclear disaster and compare the projected health, environmental,
social and economic impacts to new scientific findings. They then create
public service announcements educating the people of the region on these new
findings." Excellent
BLOWING IN THE WIND – LESSON PLAN
http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=EM298&page=teacher
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on the financial feasibility of wind
generation. "Wind energy is becoming a viable alternative to more
traditional forms of energy generation. In this lesson, students will
determine the feasibility of wind generation in different areas of the
United States. Finally, students will explore the possible role of
government in providing incentives for wind energy generation."
Excellent
A BRIGHT IDEA: UNDERSTANDING WAYS TO HARNESS ELECTRICITY
– LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20050215tuesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on electricity. "In this lesson,
students establish an understanding of electricity and then demonstrate that
understanding by creating a basic experiment involving a lemon battery. They
then reflect on the importance of electricity, especially in poorer and
rural areas of the world which its supply is limited." Excellent
CAN CAPTIVE BREEDING SAVE SPECIES? – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g912/breeding.html
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on endangered species. "When studying
endangered and threatened species and habitats, students should become
familiar with programs that strive to preserve biodiversity, such as
captive-breeding programs and species-survival plans adopted by zoos,
aquariums, and other institutions. This lesson asks students to research and
assess these programs." Excellent
CAN RESEARCH SAVE THE LEATHERBACK TURTLE? – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/18/g68/cleatherback.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-8. "Students will learn about leatherbacks
and the threats they are facing, and they'll read about how volunteers are
helping to study the turtles. The students will look at some data that
volunteers have collected and explain what the research shows and how it's
important for leatherback conservation. The students will also consider how
Crittercam can add to these studies, and they'll conclude by designing
"slide shows" that illustrate information about leatherbacks and leatherback
conservation." Excellent
CAN THE CHIRU BE SAVED? – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/11/g68/ridgeway.html
A lesson plan on the endangered chiru of Tibet for grades 6-8. "This
lesson introduces the "chiru" of Tibet. A small deerlike animal, the chiru
is endangered because it is hunted and killed for its luxurious wool. Many
people are working to save the few remaining chiru from extinction."
Excellent
CAN WE KEEP THE LAKE CLEAN? – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/14/gk2/clean.html
A lesson plan for grades K-2 on freshwater lakes. "This lesson
introduces students to the water cycle by having them help draw a picture of
a lake ecosystem, adding human impacts that affect water quality. Students
will help fill in the components of a drawing of a water system. They will
conclude by creating their own illustrations of human-induced changes to the
freshwater habitat of a lake ecosystem." Excellent
CELEBRATING EARTH DAY WITH STUDENTS – CLASSROOM
ACTIVITIES
http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/bi/1991/earthday.html
A list of classroom activities for Earth Day for grades 3-12. Excellent
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED: A TIMELINE FOR CHANGE, A
MODEL FOR CHANGE – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/04/gk2/chesapeake.html
A lesson plan for grades K-2 on the Chesapeake watershed. "In this
lesson, students will conduct research on the Chesapeake Bay, from Captain
John Smith's explorations of Native American settlements in the early
seventeenth century to the present, and examine how these changes over time
can help illuminate the interrelationships between people and places. They
will then apply a similar approach to their local area. Through an
examination of a timeline of change, students will make connections between
present interactions with a place and its future and consider ways that they
can help shape the future course of both the Chesapeake Bay watershed and
their own community." Excellent
CHILLING PREDICTIONS: EXPLORING THE ECONOMIC, POLITICAL
AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THAT GLOBAL WARMING HAS CREATED FOR THE ARCTIC –
LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20051011tuesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on the Arctic and global warming. "In
this lesson, students will research and prepare an almanac on the Arctic.
They then examine the laws that attempt to provide jurisdiction over this
area and consider how these laws will be affected if geography of the Arctic
continues to change due to the effects of global warming." Excellent
CLASSROOM CRITTERS – CURRICULUM GUIDE
NEW!
http://www.cis.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1992/5/92.05.02.x.html
A curriculum guide for primary students on the care of plants and animals in
the classroom. "As a primary level teacher with limited time and
knowledge of science I’ve decided to approach the subject by introducing
plants and animals, very small ones, to my classroom. In addition to their
learning value, I believe they will make an important contribution to the
aesthetic quality of the room. Further, they will be the focus for
developing a sense of responsibility in the children as they assume
responsibility for their care. As many students come from homes where they
experience little nurturing themselves, I especially hope to stimulate those
feelings in the children as they care for the plants and animals. By
observing, doing and concluding, the students will learn how plants grow,
how some animals live and about the interdependency of plants and animals.
The visual richness and complexity of the aquarium and terrariums, self
contained communities, provide many more opportunities for learning through
observation and hands-on activities.
My unit objectives will be met by developing three ecosystems, an aquarium,
a terrarium and a vivarium. Rabbits, guinea pigs and the like strike me as
both limiting and overwhelming. Personally, I have concerns about the
lessons we inadvertently teach when we have caged animals in the classroom.
When we assume the care of an animal we must remember that they are
dependent on us. We should ask ourselves whether we want to create a prison
or a home for them. Consider the difference between putting two goldfish in
a glass bowl devoid of plants and creating an ecosystem, a sophisticated,
complex, natural environment. Animals are best kept under the supervision of
a responsible adult so they do not fall prey to mishap. Animals that die for
lack of proper care provide a lesson better not learned." Excellent
CLIMATE AND CO2: ANALYZING THEIR RELATIONSHIP – LESSON
PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/07/g912/co2.html
A lesson plan on climate for grades 9-12. "In this lesson, students
will speculate on various scenarios of future world climates if the
greenhouse effect increases." Excellent
COASTAL QUANDARY: DEBATING WHETHER TO EVACUATE OR DEVELOP
DANGEROUS COASTS –
LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20051005wednesday.html
A lesson plan on coastal development for grades 6-12. "In this lesson,
students will learn about the debate among development and environment
experts on evacuation coastal areas. They then take part in their own debate
representing the different perspectives on the "evacuation versus
redevelopment" dialogue." Excellent
COMMUNITY SCIENCE ACTION GUIDES
http://www.fi.edu/guide/index.html
Action guides for primary through secondary grades on environmental topics
such as Protecting Resources Today, Making Tomorrow Safe, Producing Energy
Now, and Using Water Wisely. Each guide has resources, lesson ideas, lesson
plans and much more. Outstanding. Excellent
CONTAMINANTS IN THE WATER CYCLE – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/14/g912/tgsouhegan.html
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on water pollution. "Students will
review the water cycle and investigate how a region's water supply can
become contaminated. They will look at a list of the Environmental
Protection Agency's maximum contaminant levels for drinking water, and
sketch the water cycle of a fictitious town that is affected by several
pollutants. Students will conclude by writing paragraphs explaining what a
group of concerned citizens in this hypothetical town might do to improve
the quality of its water supply." Excellent
CONTRASTS IN BLUE: LIFE ON THE CARIBBEAN CORAL REEF AND
THE ROCKY COAST OF MAINE – CURRICULUM UNIT
NEW!
http://smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/contrast/cover.html
A unit comparing the coast of Maine with a coral reef in the Caribbean for
elementary students. "The striking contrasts between these two dynamic
ecosystems are the theme of this website and are among the many topics
visitors can ponder in Exploring Marine Ecosystems, a permanent exhibition
at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. The activities that
follow encourage students to consider the role of temperature, sunlight,
waves, and tides in the creation of unique marine environments." The
lessons are in PDF format to print out as well as online. Includes 3 lessons
plans, a Background Essay and Resources. Excellent
CONVERTING ENERGY – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/Lessons.cfm?DocID=153
A lesson plan for grades 6-8 on energy. "Purpose To introduce students
to energy through the idea of energy transformations and conversions, and to
develop students’ ideas of what energy is and how it can be measured."
Excellent
CORAL BLEACHING: MAKING OUR OCEANS WHITER – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/04/g68/bowercoral.html
A lesson plan on coral reefs for grades 6-8. "Coral reefs such as the
Great Barrier Reef are some of the most productive and important ecosystems
on earth, and they are vanishing at an alarming rate. Students will learn
what coral reefs are and about the different types of reefs, the ecology
surrounding these biological playgrounds, and the human impact on them.
Additionally, this lesson will provide an opportunity for students to debate
whether human contact should be impeded around coral reefs, a constructive
approach for defending controversial environmental issues."
Excellent
CORAL SEAS – BLUE PLANET SERIES – LESSON PLAN
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/BP_coralseas/
A lesson plan on the coral reefs and their ecosystem from Discovery for
grades 6-8. "Students will • speculate about the changes that are
taking place in our galaxy; • research the latest ideas on Blue Planet:
Coral Seas; and • discuss the consequences of events that may happen in the
future." You may borrow the Blue Planet series
from the AVA Center. Excellent
DELAWARE ESTUARY – A FOURTH GRADE UNIT
http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow7/dec98/delaware.html
A unit on the Delaware River estuary for 4th grade students,
developed by students from Vineland. Sections: Water, Oysters, Ethics,
History, References and Author. The sections contain information, puzzles
and activities. Excellent
DEPARTMENT OF CRANE-LAND SECURITY – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/activities/14/cranecam1.html
A lesson plan on the protection of endangered cranes. "You have just
joined the Department of Crane-Land Security. Your mission is to join the
security advance team for the sandhill crane migration. Where will the
cranes go? How will you protect them? Will they be safe and have what they
need during their travels? Your job is to learn about the locations these
cranes visit and what you need to do to ensure a safe journey when you fly
with them. We're counting on you!" Excellent
DESIGN A REGIONAL "ECO-PARK" – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g35/tgecopark.html
A lesson plan for grades 3-5 on regional ecosystems. "Students will
use the Web to find out about the plants and animals that live in their
local area. They will design "eco parks" containing local plants and
animals. If there is time, have students extend their research into the
"real world" by doing some outdoors observations near school or their
homes." Excellent
THE DIVERSITY OF LIVE – CURRICULUM MODULE
NEW!
http://www.fossweb.com/modulesMS/DiversityofLife/index.html
A curriculum module for middle school students. "The Diversity of Life
Course emphasizes the use of knowledge and evidence to construct
explanations for the structures and functions of living organisms. Students
observe and maintain protists, plants, and animals in the classroom and
study their characteristics. The study progresses from macroscopic to
microscopic observation to discover the fundamental unit of life, the cell.
Students then investigate organism subsystems and behaviors and consider
their diversity of adaptive structures and strategies." For middle
school students. Excellent
DIVING IN TO SAVE THE MONK SEAL – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/18/g68/ccmonkseal.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-8 endangered species. "Students will use
the Internet to learn about monk seal research and the ecosystem reserve
that's been established in part to protect the seals. They'll consider the
particular challenges scientists face in studying monk seals on projects
such as Crittercam and they will write questions they would ask if they were
conducting monk seal research. The students will conclude by writing plans
they would use on a trip to study the Hawaiian monk seal." Excellent
DNA AND ENDANGERED SPECIES – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g68/brainpopdna.html
A lesson plan on endangered species for grades 6-8. "In this lesson,
students will learn some basics about DNA and genetics and will then learn
how DNA can be used to study and help endangered animals. They will visit a
Web site with information about specific research projects, and write
paragraphs explaining how DNA and genetics research might be used to help an
endangered or threatened species." Excellent
DON’T DRINK THE WATER! – WEBQUEST
NEW!
http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/j/x/jxz8/Student_Webquests/Fields/QuestSAF/index.htm
A webquest for high school students on water quality. "DON'T DRINK THE
WATER!!! Hundreds of people in your community have already become ill from
unknowingly consuming microbe-infested H2O! Now you are among
those responsible for curing their sickness and preventing this disease from
becoming an epidemic. It's a challenge, but it's one that you must
accept--and one that your friends and neighbors know you will achieve for
the sake of your town's health and well-being. First, you and your
co-investigators must identify and classify the microorganism that has
contaminated the town's drinking water supply. Then, you will need to
propose and test an environment-friendly biological remedy for this
problematic situation. Your community anxiously awaits your successful
solution!" Excellent
A DUCK’S BILL ON CAPITOL HILL?: TAKING A STAND ON
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION LEGISLATION – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20051228wednesday.html
A lesson plan on conservation legislation for grades 6-12. "In this
lesson, students examine the positions of various parties on proposed
federal ecosystem conservation legislation, including private property
owners, legislators, and conservationists, in order to represent their
perspectives in a class discussion." Excellent
EARTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT – LESSON PLANS
http://theory.uwinnipeg.ca/lts/earthenv.html
A page of links to classroom activities and lesson plans on the environment.
Excellent
EARTH DAY TEACHER’S LOUNGE
http://earthday.wilderness.org/teachers/classroom.htm
Nine classroom activities ranging from K-12 on Earth Day. Excellent
EARTH SCIENCE LESSON PLANS
http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/earthsciences.html
A list of links to lesson plans on Earth Science topics including Acid Rain,
Water Pollution, the Greenhouse Effect, Waste Management, Recycling,
Alternative Energy Sources, Conservation and more. Divided by Early
Elementary, Later Elementary, Middle School, and High School. Excellent
EARTH SCIENCE LESSON PLANS
NEW!
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/earthsci.html
Earth science lesson plans for various grade levels. Examples: Earth’s
Waters, Protecting Our Planet, Aquatic Habitats, Protecting Habitats and
Species, Energy and Cars: What Does the Future Hold. Excellent
ECO-CHALLENGES – AFRICA – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/tools/eco/goals.html
A lesson plans on the two environmental threats to Africa: desertification
and scarcity of clean water. For intermediate students and up. "In
this lesson, students will address two of the more pressing issues
confronting continental Africa Ń the related concerns of growing
desertification and the scarcity of clean water. Students will examine these
issues within the context of Africa’s development and the environmental,
economic, and personal impact it has upon its citizens. More specifically,
students will explore a variety of Internet resources, learn about Africa’s
geography and natural resources, read and respond to African art and
literature, and write and produce a documentary-style news broadcast
report." Excellent
ECO-CYCLE: FINDING THE PARTS OF AN ECOSYSTEM – LESSON
PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g35/ecocycle.html
A lesson plan for grades 3-5 on ecosystems. "An ecosystem exists when
plants and animals interact with each other and their physical environment.
This lesson will use the Eco-Cycle Station to introduce students to
ecosystems in Hawaii, as well as the plants and animals that make up the
ecosystems. Students will seek out the key animals and plants as they read
about the ecosystems." Excellent
ECOLOGY LESSON PLANS
NEW!
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/ecol.html
Ecology lesson plans for various grade levels. Examples: Habitats of the
World, Biomes: Coastlines and Seas, Champions of the Land. Excellent
THE ECONOMICS OF RECYCLING – LESSON PLAN
http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=EM218
A lesson plan on recycling for high school students. "You will be
asked to indicate why Japan's recycling efforts (rates) are surpassing that
of the US. Then you will predict how consumers, repair services and
appliance makers respond when government changes incentives for recycling.
Then given new incentives, predict what happens to supply and demand for a
good and resulting impact on equilibrium quantities. You will do this by
analyzing the effectiveness of Japan's appliance recycling law enacted in
April 2001.Finally you will be asked to develop strategies for reducing the
amount of waste disposal at landfills." Excellent
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES – WATER PURIFICATION – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=275
A lesson plan for grades 6-8 on water. "This lesson was developed by
Dr. Penny Firth, a scientist, as part of a set of interdisciplinary Science
NetLinks lessons aimed at improved understanding of environmental phenomena
and events. Some of the lessons integrate topics that cross biological,
ecological, and physical concepts. Others involve elements of economics,
history, anthropology, and art. Each lesson is framed by plain-language
background information for the teacher, and includes a selection of
instructional tips and activities in the boxes." Excellent
ECOSYSTEMS: TOOLS FOR MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS
NEW!
http://www.cis.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1992/5/
A collection of curriculum guides for math and science teachers focusing on
ecosystems. Includes 10 guides such as: Ecosystems: Can I Help?, Biosphere 2
and Beyond, Classroom Critters (on this list), Organic and Inorganic
Recycling and more. Excellent
ELEMENTARY ECOSYSTEMS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/gk2/ecosystem.html
A lesson plan for grades K-2 on ecosystems. "This lesson teaches
students the basics of species interdependency within an ecosystem or
habitat. Students will perform a simple simulation to see how one species
can affect many others, and gain a basic understanding of the importance of
biodiversity. For older students, you may want to define and use the word
"ecosystem" in the lesson." Excellent
EMISSION STATEMENT – EXPLORING HOW INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS
CONTRIBUTE TO GLOBAL WARMING AND ARE AIMING TO COMBAT IT – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20010725wednesday.html
A lesson plan from the New York Times on Global Warming for grades 6-8 and
9-12. "In this lesson, students investigate the emission of greenhouse
gases by industrialized nations. After participating in an international
global warming conference, students assess whether or not the United States
should take part in the international climate accord." Excellent
ENDANGERED SPECIES – LIST OF LINKS - LESSON PLANS
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/endangsp.html
A list of links about endangered species. Suitable for elementary students.
Includes Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities. Also
in Websites section. Excellent
ENERGY – HEAT, LIGHT AND SOUND – LIST OF LINKS – LESSON
PLANS
NEW!
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/heatener.html
A list of links about energy. Suitable for elementary students. Includes
Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities. Also in Lesson
Plans section. Excellent
ENERGY SOURCES AND USE – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?BenchmarkID=8&DocID=13
A lesson plan for grades 3-5 on energy use. "This investigation uses
many resources from Energy Quest, an Educational Supersite. The recommended
readings and activities in this investigation would be most appropriate for
fourth or fifth grade students. However, this site provides ample resources
for adapting the lesson to a wide variety of reading levels.
You may wish to preview The Energy Story prior to introducing these
activities, to gather background information on energy resources and to
identify the most appropriate resources for your students."
Excellent
ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/Lessons.cfm?DocID=139
A lesson plan for grades 3-5 on waste management. "To use Internet
resources to explore the side effects of technology; to design, implement
and evaluate solutions related to the problem of waste disposal."
Excellent
ENVIRONMENT THEME PAGE - LESSON PLANS & ACTIVITIES
http://www.theteachersguide.com/Environment.html
A theme page for teachers with lesson plans and activities. Sections: Trash
and Recycling; Air Quality; Global Warming and Ozone Depletion. Excellent
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE: A HANDS-ON APPROACH – CURRICULUM
GUIDE
NEW!
http://www.cis.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1993/5/93.05.10.x.html
A curriculum guide for grades K-2 on the environmental sciences.
"Environmental Science is a vast pool of facts, experiments and concepts
that describe the world around us. For the K-2 teacher, Environmental
Science may seem too complex a subject to communicate to the students. On
the contrary, Environmental Science is one of the easiest subjects to convey
to the primary level student. The study of Environmental Science begins with
the immediate surroundings of the K-2 child. Familiar topics such as
weather, your home and garbage provide the classroom teacher with a
foundation of knowledge great enough to introduce each lesson’s concept B .
seasons community helpers, and the food chain are basic concepts taught in
the primary grades. These concepts, which are integral parts of the study of
Environmental Science, are expanded to allow for a firm understanding of the
environment and how we can control it." Excellent
ENVIRONMENTS – CURRICULUM MODULE
NEW!
http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/Environments/index.html
A curriculum module for grades 3-6. "All living things depend on the
conditions in their environment. The study of the relationships between one
organism and its environment builds knowledge of all organisms. With this
knowledge comes an awareness of limits. Changes in an environment can be
hard on organisms. Such knowledge is important because humans can change
environments. To do so without awareness of possible consequences can lead
to disasters. The Environments Module consists of
six investigations that introduce students to these basic concepts in
environmental biology." . Excellent
EXPLORING THE ENVIRONMENT (CURRICULUM GUIDE)
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/
Features an integrated approach to environmental earth science through
modules and activities. Modules: Strangers in Paradise (grades 7-12), Mars
Landing (7-12), Rift Valley Fever (7-12), Korean Enigma (7-12), Volcanoes
(7-12), Water Quality (7-12), Mountain Gorillas (7-12), UV Menace (10-12),
Earth on Fire (10-12), Severe Weather: Hurricanes! (5-12), Yellowstone Fires
(5-8), Temperate Rainforest (9-12), Global Climate Change (5-12), Tropical
Poison (7-12), El Nińo: The Child Returns (9-12) and Florida Everglades
(5-8). Each module contains a situation and what needs to be done. Includes
an extensive teacher guide. An outstanding site. Excellent
THE FACTS OF LIFE: TELLING TALES OF EXTINCT SPECIES USING
VARIOUS SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH METHODS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20050104tuesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on extinct species. "In this lesson,
students learn about the different ways scientists gather information about
extinct animals. They then utilize these methods to create illustrated story
books about a particular extinct animal." Excellent
FARMING IN SPACE – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
NEW!
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/challenge/learning/farming/
A classroom activity in which students replicate the experiments being done
on the space shuttles and International Space Station in growing food plants
in space. "The Farming in Space activity has been designed to
coordinate with the flight experiment. It offers teachers and students a
chance to examine a number of basic principles and concepts in plant biology
and crop production through hands on experiments using a simulated Biomass
Production System and the same seed stocks that the researchers will be
using during the flight experiments. Questions that students can examine are
similar to those of interest to the scientists, and the materials used will
reinforce students' understanding of proportionality and statistical
summation. The basic experiment is suitable for upper elementary students
and higher grades." For upper elementary and up. Excellent
FISHING FOR SOLUTIONS: PROPOSALS TO SOLVING THE GLOBAL
OVERFISHING PROBLEM…. - LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/19990310wednesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on natural resources. "In this lesson,
students investigate the many ecological and economic issues related to
overfishing the world's marine resources. Working in committees, students
will research the related topics of equipment and fishing techniques,
economic impact, 'by-catch,' environmental impact and pollution, and
ecosystem preservation, culminating in the drafting of statements addressed
to the other committees and to the United Nations regarding their topics and
proposals." Excellent
FLY AWAY! – CURRICULUM UNIT
NEW!
http://www.nps.gov/akso/ParkWise/Teachers/Nature/DENA_FlyAway/overview.htm
A unit for grades 3-8 on animal migration. "Students will use real
tracking data from juvenile golden eagles of Denali National Park and
Preserve to gain an understanding of animal migration. Using satellite
telemetry data collected by Carol McIntyre, a wildlife biologist at Denali,
students will discover the migratory pathways, winter range and summer range
of Denali's juvenile golden eagles. Park managers need to know where these
eagles spend time around the year so that they can protect them."
Excellent
FLYING OFF THE THREATENED SPECIES LIST: CONSIDERING THE
DELISTING OF BALD EAGLES AND OTHER THREATENED SPECIES - LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20010403tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on endangered species. "In this lesson,
students research the status of species that have been removed from the
Federal Register of endangered and threatened species to help them determine
whether or not the American bald eagle should also be removed from the list"
Excellent
FOREST GRUMP: EXAMINING HOW DEFORESTATION AFFECTS PLANTS
AND ANIMALS OF THE CANADIAN BOREAL – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20030924wednesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan on deforestation for grades 6-12. "In this lesson,
students consider the definition of an ecosystem as it relates to the
Canadian boreal, discover how deforestation is affecting this forest and
recreate ecosystems found in this forest. Then, students will write
persuasive letters urging politicians or business people to help save the
forest." Excellent
THE FRAGILE FRINGE – A GUIDE TO TEACHING ABOUT WETLANDS -
LESSON PLANS
http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/fringe/ff_index.html
"The intent of this material is to provide a basis from which a
comprehensive study of coastal wetlands can be developed by the teacher on
the basis of individual needs. Each teacher has students with varying needs
and must, therefore, plan accordingly. The information and activities are
provided as a framework and may be used and revised to accommodate different
levels of students. Some activities may be used as demonstrations rather
than student activities for younger students. Any grade level designation is
only a suggestion; if it works for your students, use it." Excellent
FROZEN SEAS – BLUE PLANET SERIES – LESSON PLAN
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/BP_frozenseas/
A lesson plan on life in the Arctic and Antarctic oceans for grades 6-8.
"Students will • research the behavioral and physical adaptations of an
animal from the Arctic or Antarctic; and • create a poster and make a
presentation about the animal." You may borrow the Blue Planet
series from the AVA Center. Excellent
GARBAGE LESSON PLANS
Two lesson plans on garbage for grades 3-5. Excellent
1/ GARBAGE – THE ROOTS OF TRASH
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?Grade=3-5&BenchmarkID=8&DocID=384
"Garbage 1: The Roots of Trash invites students to take a closer look at the
everyday items they throw in the trash. Students are prompted think about
what everyday products—such as bottles, cans, cartons, plastic, and food—are
made of and how they are generally produced. They learn about natural
resources, both renewable and nonrenewable, and work in teams to further
research and report on how these resources and products are developed and
used up before being discarded in the trash."
2/GARBAGE – RECYCLING
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?Grade=3-5&BenchmarkID=8&DocID=386
"In Garbage 2: Recycling, students apply what they have learned about
throwaway products—and the valuable natural resources from which they're
derived—by thinking about where garbage goes after they throw it out. They
also examine their own ideas and habits about recycling and discover what a
serious effect litter and mass waste disposal have on the environment. They
should come to realize that recycling is one solution to limit this ongoing
global problem. They learn about how recycling generally works, what kinds
of products can be recycled, and what other valuable products recyclable
materials can be turned into."
GEOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY ASSISTING AFRICAN CONSERVATION –
LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/01/g912/geotech.html
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on conservation. "In response to
continued growth of the global human population, the conservation of Earth's
natural resources has become an increasingly pressing issue. In this lesson,
students will study the impact of human population growth by conducting a
study of its influence on Africa. Using the National Geographic magazine
feature Africa MegaFlyover and other resources, students will examine
research gathered through the conservation efforts of Dr. Michael Fay and
the Wildlife Conservation Society. They will also analyze the role that
geographic technology currently plays in mitigating population growth's
negative effects." Excellent
GEOTOURISM: BE A FRIEND TO OUR PARKS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/06/gk2/geofriendly.html
A lesson plan for grades K-2 on geotourism. "This lesson will
introduce students to the concept of geotourism, briefly described as
"traveling without trampling." Coined by Jonathan Tourtellot, geotourism
editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine, geotourism is more than
just that, though. Geotourism is "tourism that sustains or enhances the
geographical character of a place—its environment, heritage, aesthetics,
culture, and the well-being of its residents." Most students at this
age have not traveled extensively, but they are likely to have been to parks
or other preserved areas. In this lesson, they will learn about what
geotourism means and make up rules for visitors to one of our National
Parks." Excellent
GETTING INTO HOT WATER: LEARNING ABOUT GREENLAND’S
ECOLOGY AND THE MECHANISMS OF GLOBAL WARMING – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20040609wednesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on global warming. "In this lesson,
students study Greenland's ecology as a means to understanding the central
role of water in global warming. Then they write essays that compare the
effects of global warming on different world regions." Excellent
GIS: HELPING TO SAVE THE AFRICAN WILD – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/01/g68/geotech.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-8 on protection efforts for African wildlife.
"There are approximately 6 billion people on our planet, and that number
is growing! Population growth not only affects humans, it threatens plants
and animals that rely on the same resources as humans (food, land, and
water). In this lesson, students will learn about a geographic tool known as
GIS, and about how it is assisting the conservation efforts of ecologically
minded individuals such as Dr. Michael Fay and the environmentalists at the
Wildlife Conservation Society." Excellent
GLOBAL CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: IS THE WORLD
BECOMING MORE DISASTROUS? – LEARNING MODULE
NEW!
http://www.aag.org/HDGC/www/hazards/toc.html
"The module is divided into Units, i.e., sections that are thematically
coherent and that could, if necessary, stand alone. In addition, the module
contains a Reference Section, Supporting Materials and an Appendix. The
Supporting Materials can be used to facilitate the teaching of this module
or simply to augment it with interesting ideas and information. Additional
sections with further information may or may not be present, e.g., a list of
acronyms, or a glossary. ……..Each Unit consists of Background Information
that can be used as a hand-out for students or as the basis for an in-class
presentation; an Instructor's Guide, consisting of suggestions on how to
teach the various learning activities associated with a given Unit; Student
Worksheets; and the Answers expected for each activity.
Some activities have their own Student Worksheet for ease of preparing
hand-outs for students.
The activities are geared toward the theme(s) and concepts discussed in a
particular Unit. The particular skills and themes emphasized vary among the
activities. Choose one or more activities per unit to fit you class size,
time, resources, overall course topics, and student skill levels. Be sure to
vary the types of activities you choose throughout the module."
There is no grade designation but it appears to be for high school students.
Excellent
GLOBAL CHANGE, HUMANS AND THE COASTAL OCEAN – CURRICULUM
UNITS
http://www.cis.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1997/6/Eleven curriculum
units for primary through eighth grades on the coasts, the oceans and
environmental issues. Excellent
GLOBAL CHANGE LESSON PLANS
http://interactive2.usgs.gov/learningweb/teachers/globalchange.htm
"Global change is a relatively new area of scientific study using research
from many disciplines to determine how Earth systems change, and to assess
the influence of human activity on these changes. The Global Change section
of the Learning Web consists of an introduction and five activities. In
teaching these activities, four themes are important: time, change, cycles,
and Earth as home." For grades 4-6. Excellent
GLOBAL WARMING – STUDY UNIT
NEW!
http://www.studyworksonline.com/cda/explorations/main/0,,NAV2-79,00.html
An 8-part study unit on global warming for intermediate/junior high
students.. "Is human activity partly responsible for current warming
trends? What's the global warming "debate" all about? This eight-part series
investigating Global Warming provides tools you can use to figure out the
answers yourself.
Investigate the methods researchers use to study ancient and current climate
patterns. Using that information, analyze and critique materials on
different websites. On the way, you'll learn to read critically and most
importantly to think critically. An accompanying teacher guide provides
additional questions and activities." Excellent
GLOBALIZATION COMES TO THE TABLE – LESSON PLAN
http://www.microsoft.com/education/GlobalTable.aspx
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on globalization. "Summary: Protests
about globalization have become almost as much a fact of life as
globalization itself--but how well do your students understand the complex
issues at stake? In this project, teams of student explore globalization by
researching the issues surrounding one of several controversies involving
food, then grappling with those issues in a summit." Excellent
THE GREAT ENERGY DEBATE – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/16/g912/energydebate.html
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on energy. "This lesson explores the
controversial issues surrounding the energy debate in the United States.
Students will research recent initiatives being taken in this area and
analyze their implications. They will then assume the roles of pivotal
stakeholders in this debate and testify to a mock congressional committee
responsible for making decisions about public lands and energy resources."
Excellent
THE GREATER SALT LAKE VIRTUAL TOUR AND LEARNING MODULE
NEW!
http://www.colorado.edu/geography/virtdept/contents.html
A virtual tour and learning module for senior high students. "This
module introduces students to the geography, geology, ecology, and history
of The Greater Salt Lake Ecoregion. Saline lakes are some of the most
unusual, and misunderstood, physical regions of the world. It is often
assumed that these are "dead" environments--like the DEAD SEA of Israel and
Jordan. In fact, saline lakes in general and The Great Salt Lake in
particular, supports a tremendous diversity of life.
The Great Salt Lake Ecoregion is also one of North America's fastest growing
urban regions. Along theWasatch Front can be found such rapidly growing
cities such as Ogden, Sundance/Provo and Orem, Salt Lake City and its
suburbs. And of course, in 2002 the region hosted the Winter Olympics.
This makes the region an ideal place to study human-environment interaction
and the human dimensions of global environmental change. Whether you're
visiting this web site for fun or study, we hope you have an enjoyable and
stimulating trip." Excellent
HABITATS/LANDFORMS – LIST OF LINKS – LESSON PLANS
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/habitats.html
A list of links about habitats and landforms. Suitable for elementary
students. Includes Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities.
Also in Websites section. Excellent
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/14/g912/tghazardous.html
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on hazards in the home. "In this lesson,
students will survey their homes for hazardous materials and tally the
results as a class. They will use the Web to find out about proper waste
disposal methods and the potential consequences of improper disposal.
Students will conclude by creating pamphlets or multimedia presentations
showing what they have learned." Excellent
HOW BIG IS THE OZONE HOLE? – STUDY UNIT
NEW!
http://www.studyworksonline.com/cda/content/explorations/0,,NAV2-77_SEP938,00.shtml
A study unit for intermediate/junior high students on ozone depletion.
"In this exploration, you will learn why ozone is important to life on
earth and how it is measured. You will also learn about the controversy
surrounding the ozone hole and see how statistical analysis of data can be
used to determine whether the ozone hole is actually getting larger."
Excellent
HUMAN IMPACTS IN THE AFRICAN RAIN FOREST: WHAT CAN WE DO?
– LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/14/g912/fayhuman.html
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on the African rain forest. "This lesson
asks students to examine the human impacts that conservationist Michael Fay
noticed on his Congo Trek, and Africa MegaFlyover projects as well as the
areas that are so far free from human impacts. Students will write
recommendations to the region's governments and businesses, explaining what
should be done about human impacts and considering some of the underlying
causes for environmental threats." Excellent
IF TREES COULD TALK – A MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM ON
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
http://www.lib.duke.edu/forest/Education/Curriculum/
"This 8-module, middle school curriculum gives teachers the opportunity to
download social studies activities that are based upon archival
materials. The centerpiece of each module is a compilation of primary
resources--documents, maps, newspaper articles, oral histories or
photographs--from which students will be asked to gather, examine, and
analyze information, and synthesize insights." Excellent
IF YOU HEAR A HOOT, THEN THIS SITE IS KAPUT – LESSON PLAN
http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=EM137&page=teacher
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on endangered species. "Should the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 be left alone so the legal system is left to
decide the toughest cases? Should the Endangered Species Act of 1973 be
revised in order to increase economic growth without endangering listed
species? Can this even happen? In this Economics Minute, you will learn
about which species are covered under the 1973 Endangered Species Act, the
different organizations and their philosophies on how to protect these
species, and how each group's policies are driven by self interest as you
weigh each group's costs and benefits." Excellent
IN THE WAKE OF A STORM: INVESTIGATING THE NEEDS OF
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS CONCERNING PLANS TO REVITALIZE THE LOUSIANA
MARSHLANDS – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20051115tuesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on marshland restoration. "In this
lesson, students share thoughts about the effects of Hurricane Katrina on
Louisiana's natural environment. They then assume the role of advisors to
examine the needs of special interest groups affected by preservation
efforts, and respond to the corresponding needs of other groups."
Excellent
THE INCREDIBLE PRAIRIE PICTURE SHOW –LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/gk2/prairiek2.html
A lesson plan on the grasslands ecosystem for grades K-2. "As a
grassland ecosystem, the dominant vegetation of the prairie is grass.
However, the diversity of plant and animal species is astounding, reaching
beyond the well-known mammal species—bison and black-footed ferret—to the
mountain plover, the tiger salamander, and countless grass and insect
species. On an acre of prairie, there may be a million animals that eat
grasses and/or other plants. In this lesson, students will use their prior
and newly found knowledge to create their own vision of the prairie by
creating a prairie ecosystem mural." Excellent
IS THE ENVIRONMENT IN DEEP WATER? EXPLORING NATURAL AND
HUMAN THREATS ON FRESH WATER AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/19991130tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 ecosystems. "Students closely examine,
in small groups, various fresh water and marine ecosystems, researching the
aquatic life they support, threats from nature and humans, and preservation
efforts. Each group then creates a model of their researched water ecosystem
that demonstrates both physical form and the natural and human threats to
this system." Excellent
IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE: EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF THE
ENACTMENT OF THE KYOTO PROTOCOL ON COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20041214tuesday.html
A lesson plan on the Kyoto Protocol for grades 6-12. "In this lesson,
students will investigate different countries’ varying levels of support of
the Kyoto Protocol. They will then write articles for foreign newspapers
from the perspectives of delegates at the current convention in Buenos Aires
at which the protocol is being enacted, sharing their educated perspectives
on the impact of the protocol on their countries." Excellent
IT’S ONLY NATURAL: EXAMINING SOME OF THE WORLD’S
ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATIC CHALLENGES AND TECHNOLOGIES EMPLOYED TO THWART
THEM – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20050223wednesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on the environment. "In this lesson,
students consider a plan to stop flooding problems in Venice and then
research other environmental and climatic challenges that have technological
"solutions." They then create thematic world maps illustrating these
problems and write reaction papers about whether or not technology should be
used to stop or alter nature's path." Excellent
JUST TURN IT OFF – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/Lessons.cfm?DocID=23
A lesson plan for grades K-2 on energy conservation. "In this lesson,
students will probe the problem of what happens to a battery-operated
flashlight when it is not turned off. Students will extend this context to
household items like lights, radios, televisions, and computers.
This lesson is designed to begin to enable students to construct
understanding of the consumption of energy by themselves as consumers. At
this age, the concept of energy can be very misleading to students. Young
children think of energy as being used up. They do not readily understand
conservation of energy. Also, they do not understand that once energy is
converted it is not necessarily in a usable form. These are misconceptions
that students develop early and hold through much of their school careers."
Excellent
LAND AND PEOPLE LESSON PLANS
http://interactive2.usgs.gov/learningweb/teachers/landpeople.htm
"Land and People: Finding a Balance is an environmental study
project that engages high school students in studying earth science resource
issues. The project focuses on the interaction between people and the
environment in three regions of the United States: Cape Cod, Los Angeles,
and the Everglades. Each section of this project is devoted to one of the
three regions." For grades 7-12. Excellent
LEARNING TO GIVE: LESSON PLANS
NEW!
http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/index_page.asp
Lesson plans that focus on environmental and societal issues through
organizational and volunteer efforts. A different but practical approach to
the topics. Excellent
●●ARE YOU A RIVER KEEPER? – CURRICULUM UNIT
NEW!
http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/unit5/
A unit for grades 6-8 on river quality. "Learners will examine the
health of a river by conducting scientific quantitative and qualitative
analysis. They will measure temperature, discover macroinvertebrate
diversity and pH levels. They will examine processes of sediment deposition
and draw conclusions based on data. Through learning about the four sectors,
learners will relate the roles each have in supporting healthy water for all
stakeholders. Students will understand the role of the legislature and
nonprofit organizations in maintaining a healthy river and relate concepts
of community capital, stewardship, individual and collective responsibility.
They will complete a service project presentation that will educate other
students, connect public interest nonprofit groups and involve learners in
an action plan to improve river quality." Includes 4 lessons.
Excellent
●●BUILDING A MINI-PARK AND BIRD SANCTUARY – CURRICULUM
UNIT
NEW!
http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/unit11/
A unit for grades 3-5 on creating a park and bird sanctuary. "The
learner will: ● read trade books about others who have built or helped to
build parks and gardens that were meant to bring joy and peace into their
own and others' lives. ● design a mini-park and bird sanctuary. ● locate an
area on their own campus or in the surrounding area of their school, obtain
the proper permission to build the park and/or garden, do the scientific
studies needed to prepare for the park/garden, purchase needed supplies. ●
take all the steps necessary to build and maintain the park/garden."
Includes 7 lessons. Excellent
●●ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND THE THREE ECONOMIC SECTORS
– CURRICULUM UNIT
NEW!
http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/unit27/
A unit for grades 9-12 on organizations focused on the environment.
"This unit sets the stage for an introduction to the three economic sectors:
"profit," "nonprofit" and "government." The students learn what makes an
organization fit into its appropriate category. Taking that information,
they apply it to researching environmental groups within the three
categories. Students must decide into which sector they fall and why. The
students then take their knowledge of nonprofit organizations and apply that
information to the research of nonprofit environmental organizations. The
historical focus of this unit is the 1960's and the students are introduced
to the factors that led to the creation of the environmental movement. The
unit has a strong economic focus as well that allows student to interpret
data about environmental nonprofit organizations investigated. This
information is used as students decide how to invest their time and money in
a nonprofit environmental organization." Includes 3 lessons.
Excellent
●●FOOD FOR THOUGHT: HUNGER, AROUND THE BLOCK, AROUND THE
WORLD –CURRICULUM UNIT
NEW!
http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/unit172/
A unit for grades 9-12 on world hunger. "Learners will describe proper
nutrition and compare their own eating habits with what is recommended by
experts. They will define hunger and malnutrition and investigate local
organizations from the four sectors of society which provide food for the
hungry. Learners will research governmental and nongovernmental domestic and
global programs dealing with hunger and describe the importance of
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in feeding the hungry."
Includes 4 lessons. Excellent
●●HELPING OTHERS TO FEED THEMSELVES – CURRICULUM UNIT
NEW!
http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/unit140/
A unit for grades K-2 on nutrition and hunger. "In conjunction with a
unit on nutrition, the students learn what they can do to help people who
are living in poverty to be able to provide the necessary nutrition to their
own families. (You could do this unit during October for World Hunger Day or
in March for March is Reading Month. You might also do it in April in
conjunction with Earth Day.)
Teacher Notes: You will need to order in advance a
free leader’s guide from Heifer International. The guide arrives in 7-10
days and includes a book, video and complete instructions and materials for
the "Read-to-Feed" program. Call 1-800-422-0474 or go to Heifer
International’s Website <www.readtofeed.org>. "Read
to Feed" is a reading activity in which children solicit pledges for each
book they read. Through pledges from friends and family, readers earn money
to "purchase" food-producing animals and training for hungry families who
lack necessary resources.
Be sensitive to the socio/economic and ethnic effects on the perception of a
balanced meal or good diet." Includes 4 lessons. This unit uses a
guide from Heifer International for the project. It is free. Excellent
●●THIS LAND IS OUR LAND: PERISH OR FLOURISH? –
CURRICULUM UNIT
NEW!
http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/unit188/
A unit for grades 6-8 on the use of public and private land. "A
comparison is established in Lesson One: How Does My Government Grow?
between the well being of living things and our democracy. Learners will
describe the importance of Core Democratic Values in a democratic government
and analyze the way they support philanthropy. The learner then investigates
science concepts regarding plant life as the comparison continues to be
further developed. Learners also learn about the many influencing factors
when deciding how to use private and public land. During the academic
service component, learners will have the opportunity to provide direct
service as they plant and/or maintain flowers. Learners are empowered with
many choices as they are engaged in many hands-on activities and group
interaction which emphasize critical thinking and substantive conversation
throughout the unit." Includes 5 lessons. Excellent
●●WATER RESOURCES AND THE ROLE OF THE INDEPENDENT
SECTOR – CURRICULUM UNIT
NEW!
http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/unit124/
A unit for grades 6-8 on water resources. "Water is an essential
element for life as we know it on earth. We know that the amount of water on
the earth is finite. It is not an infinite resource nor is it strictly a
renewable resource. We, as inhabitants of the planet, are constantly using
and reusing the water we have. We know that the amount of water on the earth
is the same now as it was two thousand years ago and beyond. The big
difference between now and past milleniums is the amount of water per
person, distribution of the water in relation to our ever increasing
population and the quality of the water at our disposal. This unit will
direct students to study these issues and to understand the role
government(s), business and industry, the independent and family sectors
play in preserving our water resources." Includes 4 lessons.
Excellent
LESSONS ON THE LAKE – LESSON PLANS
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/of98-805/lessons/index.htm
"The goal of Lessons on the Lake: An Educator's Guide to the Pontchartrain
Basin is to educate students, grades 5-12, about the environmental
importance of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. The guide facilitates
instruction for teachers, allows easy access to information on environmental
issues surrounding the watershed, and captures the interests of students.
The activities provide youngsters with an understanding and appreciation of
the Lake Pontchartrain Basin and give them the skills to identify
environmental concerns, make changes, and solve problems. The ultimate goal
of Lessons on the Lake is that, in addition to learning about the watershed,
students will also acquire a strong sense of stewardship." Although
this focuses on the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, there is a lot of general
information on wetlands. Excellent
LIQUID DENSITY AND OIL SPILLS – LESSON PLANS
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/14/g68/trythisoil.html
A lesson plan on grades 6-8 on oil spills. "Students are probably
aware that oil and water form separate layers when mixed together, but they
may not have thought of this fact in terms of density. They will conduct a
simple experiment demonstrating the variable densities of corn syrup, water,
glycerin, and vegetable oil. Students will then transfer this concept to an
examination of cleanup methods used in the Exxon Valdez oil spill. They will
conclude by writing paragraphs hypothesizing what would happen during an oil
spill if oil and water were the same density and therefore mixed together
easily." Excellent
LIVING IN THE BIOSPHERE: PRODUCTION, PATTERN, POPULATION
AND DIVERSITY – LEARNING MODULE
NEW!
http://www.colorado.edu/geography/virtdept/module/biosphere/toc.html
"Biogeography examines questions of organism inventory and pattern,
organisms' interactions with the environment, and the processes that create
and change inventory, pattern, and interactions. What organisms are present
in the assemblage of a space is an inventory question. The productivity of
that space is a question of the environmental interactions of the organisms
there. The question of an organism's distribution in differing abundance is
a pattern problem. This module uses time series maps and simple simulation
models to illustrate how human actions alter biological productivity
patterns at local and global scales. The module also demonstrates how human
alterations of land cover change the dispersal processes that affect the
distribution patterns and diversity of organisms." For grades 9 and
up. Excellent
MAD ABOUT MADAGASCAR: EXPLORING A BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT –
LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20040330tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on biodiversity. "In this lesson,
students research the biodiversity of Madagascar and write policy statements
with recommendations on how to preserve this island hotspot."
Excellent
MAJOR BIOMES OF THE WORLD – LEARNING MODULE
NEW!
http://www.colorado.edu/geography/virtdept/contents.html
"This module presents basic content on the distribution and nature of the
world's major biomes. It considers the structure, characteristic growthforms,
and taxonomic affiliations of the vegetation; major soil order(s); and
common adaptive characteristics of the fauna of the tundra, boreal forest,
temperate broadleaf deciduous forest, tropical broadleaf evergreen forest,
tropical savanna, temperate grasslands, desertscrub, and Mediterranean shrub
biomes. Study hints and critical thinking questions follow the content
units." For senior high students. Excellent
MANAGING THE EVERGLADES ECOSYSTEM – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/Lessons.cfm?DocID=79
A lesson plan on the Everglades for grades 9-12. "This lesson uses the
Internet to explore the Everglades ecosystem using the resources on the
Everglades National Park website, providing students with experiences that
they may not be able to acquire firsthand. This investigation is most
appropriate for a 9th or 10th grade biology class." Excellent
MATERIALS 2: RECYCLED MATERIALS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/Lessons.cfm?DocID=17
A lesson plan for grades K-2 on recycling. "In Materials 2: Recycled
Materials, students are introduced to the idea that some materials can be
recycled. They will investigate the types of materials that can be reused,
as well as potential uses for each type of recyclable material."
Excellent
MATHEMATICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS – CURRICULUM UNIT
http://illuminations.nctm.org/index_o.aspx?id=84
A curriculum unit with five lesson plans applying math to environmental
concerns. For grades K-8. "In the following lessons, students
participate in activities in which they investigate the data in connection
with recyclable materials and develop plans to help the environment.
This lesson includes an individual activity for four different levels and
one for parents to complete with their child at home. The grade levels
for the four activities are: K-1, 2-4, 5-6, and 7-8. The fifth
activity is appropriate for grades K through 8." Excellent
MAXIE’S MAGNIFICENT GUIDE TO KEEPING OUR PLANET GREEN –
LESSON PLANS
http://members.aol.com/donnandlee/Green.html
A list of resources and lesson plans for teachers on teaching the
environment and environmental issues. Sections: Earth Day; Rainforests;
Classroom Gardening; Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle; Trees/Forests; "Green" Clip
Art; Our Environment; Plants & Fruits/Veggies; Endangered and More.
Excellent
METEOROLOGY CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/crclm/act/home.rxml
Nine 90 minute classroom activities on topics such as Pressure, Air Masses,
Precipitation Along Fronts, etc. Each classroom activity is accompanied by a
teacher guide. There are also projects and other resources. A very extensive
site. See also ONLINE METEOROLOGY GUIDES Excellent
THE MIGHTY HUDSON STRETCHES ITS MUSSELS: COMPARING
NOTABLE ECOSYSTEM DISRUPTIONS… LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20000404tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan on ecosystem disruption for grades 6-12. "In this
two-day lesson plan, students investigate how human and natural disturbances
can impact the functioning and health of an ecosystem. Students research
'disturbed ecosystems,' present their findings to the class, and visually
represent similarities and differences among ecosystem disturbances."
Excellent
MINE OVER MATTER: INVESTIGATING THE COAL MINING INDUSTRY
IN THE UNITED STATES – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20060104wednesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12. "In this lesson, students learn about
the January 2006 Sago, West Virginia coal mining accident. They then
research coal mining in the United States and use their data to create
illustrated posters. Students' work will reflect the history, uses, and
methods of mining as well as address health and safety hazards and
concerns." Excellent
MODELING ORBITAL DEBRIS PROBLEMS – LESSON PLAN
http://illuminations.nctm.org/index_d.aspx?id=376
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on orbital debris. "In this lesson,
students examine the problem of space pollution caused by human-made debris
in orbit to develop an understanding of functions and modeling. It allows
the students an opportunity to use spreadsheets, graphing calculators, and
computer graphing utilities." Excellent
MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES: EXPLORING THE HIMALYAS, ANDES AND
APPALACHIANS - CURRICULUM UNIT
NEW!
http://www.kidsgardening.com/TMI/teachers/introduction.htm
A curriculum unit for grades 5-8 exploring three mountain rangers and their
plant life focusing on the diversity of plants and water resources.
"Welcome to Mountain Adventures: Exploring the Himalayas, Andes, and
Appalachians. This curriculum is designed to introduce students (grades 5-8)
to the role and importance of native plants in the United States and abroad.
As students conduct situational simulated expeditions in the tallest
(Himalayas), longest (Andes), and oldest (Appalachians) mountain ranges in
the world, they explore different themes related to native plants, such as
biodiversity and ethnobotany. Throughout the five modules comprising the
curriculum students also conduct related local activities, enabling them to
learn about their surroundings and to consider local/global commonalities."
Excellent
THE NILE IN CRISIS- LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/03/g912/morellcrisis.html
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on the Nile River and its human settlements.
"High school students should be able to analyze the interrelationships
between physical systems (such as rivers) and human settlements and
activities. This activity asks them to examine the current water situation
in the Nile River region, focusing on the Blue Nile and the Egyptian Nile,
and to investigate ways in which the damming of the Nile has changed this
river significantly from the way it was in ancient times." Excellent
NINE LIVES, ONE HABITAT: EVALUATING POTENTIAL SITES FOR
REINTRODUCING THE ENDANGERED FLORIDA PANTHER – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20021015tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on endangered species. "In this lesson,
students explore the concept of the reintroduction of endangered species
into new habitats. Students research and promote possible sites for
reintroducing populations of Florida panthers outside of their current
habitat in the Big Cypress Swamp region of southwest Florida."
Excellent
NO MAGIC BORDERS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/01/gk2/nomagic.html
A lesson plan for grades K-2 on pollution. "Governments all over the
world have protected natural areas of particular value or beauty. Various
regulations determine what is allowed and what is prohibited in these areas.
Yet, for a number of reasons, regulations may not be enough to protect wild
areas and the resources within them. For example, neither exotic plants
entering our communities nor polluted air from industrial areas observe
borders. An arbitrary line on a map will not keep wildlife such as grizzly
bears, wolves, or birds from leaving a protected area in search of food or
force wildlife to follow a traditional migration pattern. In this lesson,
students will learn about how important it is to take care of our land and
protect it from pollution." Excellent
NOT JUST A CORNY IDEA: EXPLORING CUTTING-EDGE METHODS
USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF ETHANOL AND THEIR POTENTIAL FOR ALTERNATE ENERGY
SOURCES – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20060207tuesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on alternate energy sources. "In this
lesson, students explore the ways in which ethanol can be created using
alternate energy sources. Students will gain a broader understanding of the
promising practices currently being utilized so that "ethanol can realize
its potential" as a viable alternative to oil." Excellent
NURTURING NATURE: ANALYZING THE IMPACT OF HUMANS IN
ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS - LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20010123tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on the environment. "In this lesson,
students identify some of Earth's most serious environmental problems and
what causes them. They then look into legislation and regulations designed
to address these problems, and write letters to a relevant environmental
organization stating their views about the ways that the problems are being
addressed." Excellent
OPEN SEAS – BLUE PLANET SERIES – LESSON PLAN
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/BP_openocean/
A lesson plan on life in the open ocean for grades 6-8. "Students will
• research facts about animal species featured in the video; • prepare
illustrated cards with facts; and • create a food-web display."
You may borrow the Blue Planet series from the AVA Center. Excellent
OUR MISSION: SAVE PLANET EARTH – CURRICULUM GUIDE
NEW!
http://www.cis.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1993/5/93.05.03.x.html
A curriculum guide for grades 4-6 on environmental problems. "The
purpose of this environmental unit is for students at the fourth to sixth
grade levels, working in cooperative groups, to research several key
environmental problems and brainstorm possible solutions after intense
investigation. My students ‘ "mission " will begin in the Amazon Basin of
South America Here the "scientists " will research the devastating effects
that deforestation and global warming have on the rain forest’s ecosystem.
After analyzing data and developing theories for preserving the rain
forests, our "scientists" will travel to Yaldez, Alaska, to evaluate
clean-up techniques after the March 1989 Exxon spill that poured eleven
million gallons of toxic, crude oil into Prince William Sound. After
experimenting with various clean-up techniques, our research group will
reach its final destination, the Antarctic Ocean to determine the effects
that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons have on our depleting ozone
layer." Excellent
PASSENGER PIGEONS: NOMADS LOST – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?BenchmarkID=5&DocID=374
A lesson plan for grades 6-8 on extinction. "This lesson will help the
class consider the human forces that drove the extinction, including both
the collective mentality regarding conservation and the new technologies
that made extinction a possibility. The lesson will also show how the
biology of this bird locked it into a death spiral once its population had
declined below a critical threshold. Finally, the lesson will suggest some
implications of the loss of an abundant species for the ecosystems of which
it was a part and how events that occurred a century or more ago can impact
our modern world." Excellent
PEOPLE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g35/endangered.html
A lesson plan for grades 3-5 on endangered species. "This lesson
provides students with an overview of some endangered species and of the
ways that human activities contribute to species endangerment. When studying
these topics, it is important 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."
Excellent
PLANET EARTH – A SUITE OF INTERACTIVE LEARNING ACTIVITIES
ON ECOLOGY – CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
http://www.powayschools.com/projects/mt&r/PlanetEarthMainPage.htm
Web-based classroom activities on ecology aimed at grades 5-9. Topics: Make
a Difference in Your World, the Earth’s Treasures, Ecology Hotlist (list of
ecology links), and Conflict Yellowstone Wolves Webquest. Includes a Teacher
Toolbox. Excellent
POLLUTION – LIST OF LINKS – LESSON PLANS
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/pollute.html
A list of links about habitats and landforms. Suitable for elementary
students. Includes Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities.
Also in Websites section. Excellent
POPULATION ISSUES IN CHINA AND INDIA – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/09/g912/population.html
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on population density. "China and India
are the two most populous countries in the world, but they have taken very
different approaches to population control. Students will gather population
statistics for these two countries, read about population issues in both
places, and determine whether India should adopt a one-child policy like the
one implemented by the Chinese government." Excellent
POPULATIONS AND ECOSYSTEMS – CURRICULUM MODULE
NEW!
http://www.fossweb.com/modulesMS/PopulationsandEcosystems/index.html
A curriculum module for middle school students. "The Populations and
Ecosystems Course explores ecosystems as the largest organizational unit of
life on Earth, defined by their physical environment and the organisms that
live in them. Students learn that every organism plays a role in its
ecosystem and has structures and behaviors that allow it to survive.
Students raise populations of organisms to discover population dynamics and
interactions over a range of conditions. They learn that food is the source
of energy used by all lifeforms in all ecosystems to conduct life processes.
Reproduction (including limiting factors), heredity, and natural selection
are explored as ways to understand both the similarity and the variation
within and between species." For middle school students. Excellent
POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE: ENDANGERED SPECIES – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g68/habitat68.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-8 on endangered species. "In this lesson,
students will learn about endangered species in the United States, some of
the reasons they are endangered (e.g. habitat destruction or the
introduction of invasive species), and what is being done to protect them.
Students will choose one species to focus on and examine the reasons it is
endangered, and why it is important to make an effort to save it."
Excellent
POWER PLANS: ROLE-PLAYING A COMMITTEE HEARING ON NUCLEAR
POWER AND SAFETY – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20040810tuesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on nuclear power. "In this lesson,
students will consider what they already know about nuclear power and its
uses and then examine an accident at a nuclear power plant. They then
research and create reports on nuclear energy." Excellent
POWER PLAY: EXAMINING THE CURRENT CLIMATE OF ENERGY
CONSERVATION AND CONSUMPTION IN THE UNITED STATES – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20010521monday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on energy conservation. "In this lesson,
students explore their own attitudes and practices regarding energy use, and
then examine the perspectives of others in order to develop their
understanding of the current political debate on energy policy."
Excellent
THE POWERS THAT BE: EXAMINING THE LEGISLATION UNDERLYING
U.S. ENERGY POLICIES SINCE 1970 – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20030414monday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan on energy policies for grades 6-12. "In this lesson,
students investigate past energy legislation, then write letters to Congress
from the perspective of citizens trying to influence the original passage of
these bills." Excellent
PRAIRIE CHICKEN PAGEANT – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/16/g35/prairie35.html
A lesson plan for grades 3-5 on prairie chickens and the efforts to preserve
them. "In this lesson, students will learn about the challenges of
saving the prairie-chicken in its American habitat. They will study the
habits of prairie-chickens and learn about what is being done to save them,
and the conserve the areas in which they live." Excellent
PRESERVATION IS IMPORTANT? SAYS WHO? – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/06/g35/molson.html
A lesson plan for grades 3-5 on preservation. "In this lesson,
students will learn about Olson's efforts to identify extinct or nearly
extinct plants, and consider the issues surrounding conservation efforts in
a variety of contexts. Students will read National Geographic Kids News
articles and identify different viewpoints regarding conservation issues.
They will then explain the ways in which people's backgrounds and
experiences influence their views of conservation." Excellent
PRESERVATION ISSUES: COMPETING INTERESTS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/06/g68/molson.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-8 on preservation. "In this lesson,
students will learn about Olson's efforts to identify extinct or nearly
extinct plants, and consider the issues surrounding conservation efforts in
a variety of contexts. Students will compare the perspectives of those who
are most intensely involved in both wildlife conservation and agriculture,
and form an opinion as to what might be done to reconcile their conflicting
priorities. Students will research two sides of a specific issue and
construct arguments supporting specific viewpoints." Excellent
PRESERVING PARADISE: LOCATING ENDANGERED ECOSYSTEMS
AROUND THE WORLD – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20060125wednesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on endangered ecosystems. "In this
lesson, students learn about the death of conservationist Joan Root and her
efforts to protect Kenya’s Lake Naivasha. They then research other
endangered "hotspots" around the world and design ad campaigns to help
create public awareness of these ecosystems." Excellent
THE PRICE OF POWER: TAKING A STANCE ON THE DEBATE OVER
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGULATIONS FOR COAL-BURNING POWER PLANTS -
LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20020827tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan on energy resources for grades 6-12. "In this lesson,
students learn about the current political debate over regulating power
plant emissions. They then research, formulate, and present arguments
regarding selective catalytic reduction systems for coal-burning plants."
Excellent
THE PROS AND CONS OF ARTIFICIAL REEFS – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g912/artificialreefs.html
A lesson plan on artificial reefs for grades 9-12. "This lesson asks
students to consider whether artificial reefs (human-made objects in the
ocean or sea) are good for marine ecosystems. Students will look at pictures
of artificial reefs and read articles describing the pros and cons of these
structures. They will conclude by writing paragraphs explaining whether they
think a new artificial reef should be created in Florida waters."
Excellent
PROTECT OUR PLANET – CURRICULUM UNIT
http://mars.ecesc.k12.in.us/units/planet/PROPLA~1.HTML
A curriculum unit for upper elementary students designed to promote
environmental awareness. Contains eight lesson plans. Excellent
PROTECTING AFRICA’S WILDLIFE – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/14/gk2/africawildlife.html
A lesson plan for grades K-2 on protecting wildlife. "In this lesson,
students will consider how people affect the natural environment in their
home area and in Africa. They will learn about two African habitats (the
savanna and the rain forest) and some of the animals that live there, and
focus on how cheetahs and chimpanzees make use of their habitats. Students
will conclude by creating posters to encourage people to protect the savanna
and the rain forest, as well as the animals in the area where they live."
Excellent
PROTECTING HOLY COWS: THE EFFECTS OF POLLUTION,
INDUSTRIALIZATION, AND OTHER HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON THE WORLD’S BIOMES – LESSON
PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/19981021wednesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grade 6-12 on pollution. "In this lesson, students
reflect on and research how humans affect animal life, plant life, and
environmental conditions of specific biomes, particularly due to pollution
and industrialization." Excellent
PUBLIC LANDS: PRESERVE OR DEVELOP? – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/13/g68/preserveordevelop.html
A lesson plan on public land management for grades 6-8. "This lesson
introduces students to the various ways that public lands are valued, used,
and managed in the United States. Students will compare and contrast
different types of public lands, then simulate the decision-making and
communication involved in converting private land to public land, taking
into consideration the location, terrain, and climate of the land, as well
as the needs and desires of the region's residents. Students will imagine
that they are able to bequeath a parcel of land to their state for public
use, then create an argument for the best use of the property."
Excellent
PUMP IT UP: EXAMINING THE USE AND IMPORTANCE OF GASOLINE
AND OTHER ENERGY SOURCES AROUND THE WORLD – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20040602wednesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on energy sources. "In this lesson,
students explore the rising cost of gasoline and how it impacts people
around the world differently. They learn about gasoline usage and alternate
forms of energy used in several countries, and then consider the
relationship between people in their country and oil." Excellent
THE QUEST FOR LESS – ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES FOR
TEACHING K-6
NEW URL!
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/education/quest/index.htm
A teacher resource from the EPA on the environment, pollution, waste
management and more. Click on the topics on the left for a list of activity
sheets and lessons. Excellent
RAIN FOREST – LIST OF LINKS – LESSON PLANS
NEW!
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/rforest.html
A list of links about the rain forest. Suitable for elementary students.
Includes Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities. Also
in Lesson Plans section. Excellent
RAINFOREST ALLIANCE LESSON PLANS
ADDED GRADES 7-8
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/education/teachers/curriculum/index.html
A collection of lesson plans for grades K-8 on the rainforest. Each grade
has multiple lesson plans plus additional information and activities.
Outstanding. Now expanded to 8th grade. Excellent
RECYCLING AND COMPOSTING LESSON PLANS
http://www.eagle.ca/~matink/themes/Environ/recycle.html
Information and links on recycling and composting and then lesson plans.
Also in Websites section. Excellent
RECYCLING – LIST OF LINKS – LESSON PLANS
NEW!
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/recycle.html
A list of links about recycling. Suitable for elementary students. Includes
Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities. Also in Lesson
Plans section. Excellent
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/Lessons.cfm?DocID=26
A lesson plan for grades 6-8 on renewable energy sources. "This lesson
is designed to help students investigate and evaluate renewable energy
sources. Most students can name several renewable resources, but have little
understanding of them. It's important for students to examine controversial
issues associated with renewable energy sources from multiple perspectives;
by exploring benefits, drawbacks, and social ramifications, students will
develop a deeper appreciation for these complex issues. " Excellent
RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD: ENDANGERED SPECIES SURVIVING
ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION - LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20001024tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-2 on endangered species. "In this lesson,
students research endangered animal species that have 'beaten the odds' as
they continue to survive longer than scientists had expected. Students write
individual pages for a class book about endangered species."
Excellent
SAND DOLLARS: EXAMINING THE BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS OF
LAND DEVELOPMENT IN THE BAHAMAS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20000301wednesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on development of resources. "In this
lesson, students debate the issues of economic prosperity, cultural
preservation and environmental preservation in examining the proposed
development of land in the Bahamas." Excellent
SCHOLASTIC’S CELEBRATE EARTH DAY – CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/lessonplans/earthday/index.htm
Seven activities for Earth Day. Excellent
SEASONAL SEAS – BLUE PLANET SERIES – LESSON PLAN
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/BP_seasonalseas/
A lesson plan on seasonal changes in the oceans for grades 6-8.
"Students will • research a marine invertebrate and create an illustrated
report; and • contribute to a classroom exhibit." You may borrow the
Blue Planet series from the AVA Center.
Excellent
SEEING THE FORESTS FOR THE TREES: EXPLORING TROPICAL
FORESTS AS NATURAL RESOURCES - LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20020821wednesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on natural resources. "In this lesson,
students explore changing logging practices in the Congo Republic and
research the many roles of tropical forests as a natural resource. To
synthesize their understanding, students write letters to loggers in Africa,
urging them to adopt responsible logging practices." Excellent
SEEING THE HUMAN IMPACT ON AFRICA: WHAT CAN YOU LEARN
FROM A PLANE? – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/01/g68/africaplane.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-8 on the human impact on Africa. "After
visiting the National Geographic magazine feature Africa MegaFlyover reading
the National Geographic News article about Michael Fay, Africa Explorer
Takes Off on Yearlong Aerial Survey, students will analyze several maps of
Africa to see where the greatest levels of human impact can be observed.
They will look at photographs from different parts of Africa showing both
its human and natural landscapes, and will consider what these images might
look like from the air. Students will conclude by writing letters pretending
they are traveling on the MegaFlyover project and predicting the human
impacts they will observe." Excellent
SHEDD EDUCATIONAL ADVENTURES – SHEDD AQUARIUM – LESSON
PLANS
http://www.sheddaquarium.org/sea/
Lesson plans, activity guides and other resources on the ocean, ocean
creatures, and aquatic habitats. Excellent
SIMFOREST SOFTWARE
NEW!
http://ddc.hampshire.edu/simforest/index.html
"Students can plant trees from a pool of over 30 regional species, set
environmental parameters such as rain fall, temperature, and soil
conditions, and watch the forest plot grow and evolve over many years. A
forest plot's sensitivity to natural and man-made disturbances can be
evaluated, and emergent properties such as species succession can be
observed. Graphing and analysis tools are provided to make inquiry more
efficient. There are two versions of the SimForest educational simulation
that you dan download from this site: the "back box" simulation and the
"glass box" simulation. In the more advanced glass box version learners can
inspect and modify the underlying forest growth model (however, the glass
box version is still an early prototype--download at your own risk!)."
Click on Curriculum Materials for the curriculum guide. The software and
curriculum materials are aimed for grades 7-12. There does not appear to be
any charge for using the program. Excellent
SOCIAL STUDIES RECYCLING CURRICULUM FOR K-5
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/socialstd/Recycle.html
Four to six lesson plans per grade for grades K-5 on recycling. Outstanding.
Excellent
SOLAR ENERGY – CURRICULUM MODULE
NEW!
http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/SolarEnergy/index.html
A curriculum module for grades 3-6. "The Solar Energy Module consists
of four investigations that allow students to experience solar energy
firsthand and to investigate the variables that affect solar-energy
transfer." Excellent
A SORE SIGHT FOR EYES: EXAMINING VISUAL POLLUTION WITHIN
OUR COMMUNITIES – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20000907thursday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on blight. "In this lesson, students
consider 'visual blights,' including technology-related ones, in their
communities. Students will closely examine one 'eyesore' and present
planning recommendations to a mock local zoning board." Excellent
SPACESHIP EARTH – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=295
A lesson plan for grades 6-8 on the Earth as a system. "This lesson is
entitled Spaceship Earth to reinforce the idea that our planet is–in
reality–like a spaceship hurtling through space on a long-duration mission.
There is no resupply from outside sources. Recycling is as much a part of
the natural order of things as is the sunrise everyday. Pollution occurs
when there are outputs that cannot be used as inputs for something else.
Pollution is harmful and can be downright dangerous. The connections between
parts of the natural system are imperative to its normal operation. By
actively thinking through what it takes to keep people alive on a spaceship,
the students will come to understand more fully what it takes to keep people
alive on this planet." Excellent
SPECIES FOR SALE: ENDANGERED SPECIES AS COMMODITIES- A
SCIENCE LESSON – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/19990504tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on endangered species. "Students explore
wildlife conservation by investigating animal species that are near
extinction due to their value as commodities. Students defend the protection
of an endangered species researched in class by creating an informational
poster and by writing a position paper that explains the importance of
preserving this species." Excellent
SPIRIT BEAR SPEAKS: PROMOTING CULTURALLY SENSTIVE AND
ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM IN THE GREAT BEAR RAIN FOREST –
LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20060208wednesday.html
A lesson plan on ecotourism for grades 6-12. "In this lesson, students
learn about the recent groundbreaking agreement to preserve five million
acres of Canada’s Great Bear Rain Forest. They then create informative
ecotourism brochures highlighting such topics as Native Canadian culture and
history, animal species and aquaculture of the Great Bear, responsible
logging, ecotourist activities and accommodations, and others."
Excellent
SPRAWL: THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL SITUATION – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/12/g912/sprawlnational.html
A lesson plan on urban sprawl for grades 9-12. "Since urban sprawl is
such a noticeable part of today's American landscape, students may already
be familiar with many of the characteristics of sprawl and the issues that
accompany it. In this lesson, they will investigate how sprawl impacts the
environment, people's daily lives, and the local and regional economy.
Students will draw mental maps to illustrate their impressions of modern
suburbs, and view maps and aerial photos of a nineteenth century town that
has recently become a modern suburb. They will conclude by researching and
reporting on the sprawl situation in a nearby metropolitan area."
Excellent
SQUARE OF LIFE – STUDIES IN LOCAL AND GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTS
– A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT NEW!
http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/squareproj/index.htm
"In this project students will plot square meters in their school yards and
record the living and non-living things that are found therein. They will
submit this information to the project database for all to view. Students
will then compare and contrast their information with that submitted by
other classes and prepare a brief report or presentation that will be posted
to the project web site. Throughout the run of the project, classes will be
encouraged to communicate with other schools via the Discussion Area."
For middle school/junior high students. Excellent
THE SUN TIMES – THE GLOBAL SUN TEMPERATURE PROJECT – A
COLLABORATIVE PROJECT NEW!
http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/tempproj3/en/
"The Global Sun Temperature Project is an Internet-based multidisciplinary
project which will enrich a student's learning experience through "Unique
and Compelling" applications of instructional technology. In particular,
this project taps into some of the exciting applications of the Internet in
education by having students collaborate in large numbers across great
distances to determine how proximity to the equator affects average daily
temperature and hours of sunlight." For middle
school/junior high students. Excellent
TAIGA – LIST OF LINKS – LESSON PLANS
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/taiga.html
A list of links about the taiga. Suitable for elementary students. Includes
Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities. Also in
Websites section. Excellent
TAKE A DIP: THE WATER IN OUR LIVES PROJECT – A
COLLABORATIVE PROJECT
NEW!
http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/dipproj2/en/
"this project taps into some of the exciting applications of the Internet in
education by having students collaborate in large numbers across great
distances to compare water quality data and organisms found at the water
sampling site. By participating in this project, students also have the
opportunity to interact with experts online, use an online asynchronous
discussion board to to discuss project-related topics, and publish their own
work to this project web site." For middle school/junior high
students. Excellent
TAKING CARE OF OUR OCEANS – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/14/gk2/seascare.html
A lesson plan for grades K-2 on oceans. "In a 2000 report, the World
Resources Institute stated the following: "In 1995, over 2.2 billion
people—39 percent of the world's population—lived within 100 km of a coast,
an increase from 2 billion people in 1990. The coastal area accounts for
only 20 percent of all land area." According to 2002 data from the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, over 50 percent of people in the
United States live within 50 miles of the ocean or Great Lakes. High coastal
population densities have an impact on marine life, such as sea turtles and
manatees. In this lesson, students will consider why so many people live
near the coast and learn about the impacts of this trend on ocean animals.
They will make posters to educate coastal residents and visitors about human
impacts on marine life." Excellent
TAKING FROM THE GIVING TREE: EXPLORING LEGISLATION
RELATING TO THE PRESERVATION OF URBAN TREES – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20060131tuesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on preservation of trees. "In this
lesson, students explore the ways in which various American cities negotiate
the protection of their "green infrastructure," gaining a broader
understanding of proposed and enacted legislation as it relates to
preserving and planting trees in urban environments." Excellent
TALKING TRASH ABOUT THE OCEANS: CREATING A COMMUNITY
SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO STOP OFFSHORE DUMPING – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20000718tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on pollution. "In this lesson, students
create a community service advertising campaign that raises awareness about
the importance of keeping trash out of the marine ecosystem. Students work
in teams to create different ad campaigns geared toward particular target
audiences. Students implement their plans by producing posters promoting
their messages." Excellent
TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT BACKYARD CONSERVATION - LESSON
PLANS
http://www.wildlifehc.org/managementtools/backyard-lessonplans.cfm
Lesson plans and information for teaching grades 3-12 about conservation
measures to take in our own backyards and our communities. Excellent
There's No Place
Like Home - Exploring How Animals and Insects Adapt to Habitat Fragmentation
– LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20020108tuesday.html
A lesson plan from the New York Times for grades 6-12. "In this
lesson, students speculate about why animals leave their natural habitats
and how various species react differently to habitat fragmentation. They
then synthesize their understanding of habitat fragmentation by designing a
shopping district that would aim to minimize the harmful effects of habitat
fragmentation on certain species in their city or state." Excellent
THIRSTY FOR DROUGHT RELIEF: EVALUATING DIFFERENT
STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING DROUGHT CONDITIONS - LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20030128tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on drought. "In this lesson, students
research a variety of drought-related concerns, acting as part of a ‘drought
preparedness taskforce.’ They then propose next steps for the government to
take in case of drought and assess the viability of these proposals."
Excellent
30 GOOD REASONS FOR TREES – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/gen_act/earth/trees.html
A science activity for elementary classes in which they produce a book 30
Good Reasons for Trees. Excellent
TIDAL SEAS – BLUE PLANET SERIES – LESSON PLAN
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/BP_tidalseas/
A lesson plan on tidal changes in the oceans for grades 6-8. "Students
will • discuss specific examples of how tides affect the hunting, survival,
or breeding behaviors of animals; and • work in pairs to create their own
"Tidal Trivia" game." You may borrow the Blue Planet
series from the AVA Center. Excellent
TILMAN’S ECOSYSTEM SURVIVAL KIT: THE EXPLORATION OF
ECOSYSTEMS: A LESSON FOR THE SCIENCE CLASSROOM – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/19981006tuesday.html
A lesson plan on ecosystems for grades 6-12. "Students will explore
the relationship between species and how species survive and coexist in
their specific environments. Students will read and discuss pertinent facts
from the Times article 'Scientist at Work: Ecologists Measures Nature's
Mosaic, One Plot at a Time.' Finally, students will conduct their own
research project on a specific ecosystem." Excellent
TINKERING WITH MOTHER NATURE – GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS
– WEBQUEST
NEW!
http://gmhsscience.com/GMO/
A webquest for senior high students on genetically modified foods and their
effects on human, plants and animals. "A quote from the Bible reads
"All flesh is grass." The ancients were keenly aware of the
relationship between the foods we eat and our own bodies. However, the
foods they ate were designed as nature intended. Today, many foods are
genetically altered to increase yield or nutritional benefit. How is
this alteration affecting the plants, the planet and, ultimately, us?
You are attending the International Conference for Genetic Technology.
The focus question of the conference is "How should governments regulate the
production and distribution of genetically modified food products?"
From discussion generated at the conference, a consensus opinion will be
generated that will be used as the basis for a public service information
product created and distributed by the Conference organizers." We
found a couple of broken links on this site. Excellent
TOO BRIGHT AT NIGHT? – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=242
A lesson plan on light pollution for grades 6-8. "In this lesson,
students will consider the negative consequences of nighttime lighting,
enabled by the invention of electric lights at the close of the 19th
Century. They will discover that there are unintended consequences resulting
from our ability to illuminate the night, just as there are benefits. In
particular, they will learn how excessive night lighting in suburbs and in
rural areas from street lamps and other sources of "light pollution" have
obscured our view of constellations, meteor showers, and even the planets.
This has had an impact not only on our enjoyment of the night sky, but also
on the science of astronomy which relies on observations of extremely faint
objects that can be made only with large telescopes at sites free of air
pollution and urban sky glow." Excellent
TOUR DU JOUR: PROJECTING THE IMPACT OF INCREASING GLOBAL
TEMPERATURES ON THE TOURIST ECONOMY – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20060315wednesday.html
A webquest for grades 6-12 on global environmental changes. "In this
lesson, students learn how warmer temperatures have impacted ice drift
tourism on the northern coast of Hokkaido, Japan. They then consider the
ways a continued warming trend might impact other global tourist
destinations in the future." Excellent
TOXIC TECHNOLOGY: EXAMINING MATERIALS USED TO MAKE
COMPUTERS AND PERSUADING LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO RECYCLE THEM PROPERLY – LESSON
PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20051025tuesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on recycling in which students learn about the
materials used in computers and the need to recycle them. Excellent
TRACKING GORILLAS IN THE MIST: EXPLORING THE INTEGRATION
OF TECHNOLOGY INTO CONSERVATION – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20000411tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on conservation. "In this lesson,
students investigate the technologies used in monitoring and tracking the
habitat of the mountain gorilla to better understand how technology is being
integrated into conservation efforts." Excellent
TREES – CURRICULUM MODULE
NEW!
http://www.fossweb.com/modulesK-2/Trees/index.html
A curriculum module for grades K-2. "The giant sequoia is the most
massive living organism on Earth. It is a tree, magnificent in dimension and
awe inspiring in its longevity and durability. To stand in the company of
such giants is to experience the scale of life. To a kindergartner
the oak on the corner, the pines at the park, and the mulberry trees at
school are giants. Systematic investigation of trees will bring students to
a better understanding of trees' place at school and in the community, and
will provide some solid experiences on the way to understanding all plants."
Excellent
TUNDRA– LIST OF LINKS – LESSON PLANS
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/tundra.html
A list of links about the tundra. Suitable for elementary students. Includes
Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities. Also in
Websites section. Excellent
TURNING THE TIDE ON TRASH: MARINE DEBRIS CURRICULUM
http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/OCPD/Marine/contents.html
A curriculum unit for junior/senior high students on marine debris,
its impact on marine life and possible solutions. Excellent
UNDERSTANDING WILDERNESS – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/13/g912/wilderness.html
A lesson plan on wilderness for grades 9-12. "This lesson introduces
students to the concept of wilderness and the role that wilderness
preservation has played throughout American history. Students will conduct
research on different historical wilderness issues or events and analyze
those events in the context of the political and cultural climate of that
particular time." Excellent
UP FOR RENEWAL: EXPLORING MODERN RENEWABLE ENERGY
SOURCES- LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20050727wednesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on renewable energy. "In this lesson,
students learn about China’s nationwide renewable energy law and its
expanding wind energy industry. They then explore various types of modern
renewable energy sources and the ways in which they are implemented"
Excellent
URBAN ECOSYSTEMS–
LESSON PLAN SERIES
A series of five lesson plans for grades 6-8 showing that cities are a
special type of ecosystem. Excellent
1/ URBAN ECOSYSTEMS 1: CITIES ARE URBAN
ECOSYSTEMS
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=276
“Urban Ecosystems 1 introduces some of the
principles of ecology, including the definition of an ecosystem as a
community of living organisms interacting with its non-living environment.
Students will be introduced to the study of ecosystems and models that are
used by urban ecologists. The class will be invited to visit websites to see
where the cities are on the planet, and they will have a chance to try some
hands-on urban nature education activities.
A common student misconception related to this topic
is that cities are separate from nature and do not need to be considered in
the study of ecosystems. According to urban historians, this view is largely
a phenomenon of the Enlightenment and Romantic period, which gathered
particular strength in the new
United States following the American Revolution. The founders had a strong
focus on agrarianism and there were very definite fears of urban growth
corrupting American politics and society—as they felt had happened in the
Old World.”
2/URBAN ECOSYSTEMS 2: WHY ARE THERE CITIES? AN
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?Grade=6-8&BenchmarkID=4&DocID=277
“Urban Ecosystems 2 looks at the conditions
that led to the development of early cities (i.e. food production), as well
as some of the factors that caused the decline of early cities (i.e.
unsustainable resource use). Students will visit a variety of online sites
to see pictures and perform exercises. They will try to bring their learning
back home again in the summary exercises that focus on their personal family
histories and the history of their local urban ecosystems.
A common student misconception related to this topic
is that because of technology, cities are not governed by the natural laws
that apply to other ecosystems. In fact, because of their intensive resource
use in nearby areas, cities throughout history give us very good examples of
how unsustainable use of natural resources can result in disaster.”
3/ URBAN ECOSYSTEMS 3: CITIES AS
POPULATION CENTERS
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?Grade=6-8&BenchmarkID=4&DocID=278
“Urban Ecosystems 3 looks at the enormous
increase in size and number of cities in the very recent past and the
influence of fossil fuel use in particular on urbanization. In this lesson,
students will visit a variety of websites that deal with urban population,
fossil fuel consumption, and the signals (i.e. carbon dioxide emissions)
that can be used to track population changes.
A common student misconception related to this
topic is that “what is now has always been.” In fact, the last two
generations have seen astronomical growth in the size of cities, in the
proportion of the world population that lives in cities, and in fossil fuel
use.”
4/URBAN ECOSYSTEMS 4: METABOLISM OF URBAN
ECOSYSTEMS
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=279
“Urban Ecosystems 4 will show students that
most of the materials and energy used by a city come from outside the city
boundaries. Students will need to have at least a general working
understanding of the concepts of flow (as in energy flow) and cycles (as in
nutrient cycles) in order to get the most out of this lesson. The
Development section includes elements of a tutorial. A general ecology text,
or the ecology chapter of a biology text, could be consulted for more
detail.”
5/ URBAN ECOSYSTEMS 5: IN DEFENSE OF CITIES
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=280
“In Urban Ecosystems 5, the class will learn
about the concept of an ecological footprint. They will use an online
ecological footprint calculator to compare the environmental impact of
different levels of resource use, kinds of transportation, and similar
factors. The second exercise will explore the natural world that exists in
their community, no matter how urban it might be. Finally, they will
brainstorm the qualities and characteristics of what they might consider an
excellent, livable community.”
USING VENN DIAGRAMS TO COMPARE TWO ECOSYSTEMS – LESSON
PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g68/venn.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-8 on ecosystems. "The following lesson
helps students identify and describe differences between two related
ecosystems. By acquiring geographic information from a number of sources,
and by using that information to complete a Venn diagram—two overlapping
ovals in which one can chart the exclusive and shared characteristics of two
ecosystems—students will understand the distribution of temperate and
tropical rain forests and the unique characteristics of both."
Excellent
WANTED: A BREATH OF FRESH AIR: INVESTIGATING CAUSES,
EFFECTS AND METHODS TO CONTROL AIR POLLUTION - LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/19990520thursday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on pollution. "In this lesson, students
examine the causes and effects of air pollution, as well as ways in which
various industries and government organizations are aiming to control it.
Students first use the Internet to answer a series of questions about air
pollution and to compile a list of related Web sites, and then use these Web
sites to create informative posters about specific air pollution topics."
Excellent
WATER – CURRICULUM MODULE
NEW!
http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/Water/index.html
A curriculum module for grades 3-6. "Water is the most important
substance on Earth. Water dominates the surface of our planet, changes the
face of the land, and defines life. These powerful, pervasive ideas are
introduced here. The Water Module consists of four investigations in which
students explore properties of water, changes in water, interactions between
water and other earth materials, and how humans use water."
Excellent
WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/04/g912/newswater.html
A lesson plan on water conservation for grades 9-12. "Most Americans
take an endless supply of drinkable water for granted. This is not so in all
parts of the world. The goal of this lesson is to familiarize students with
the realities about water supply in other nations, as well as in the United
States, and what the future holds." Excellent
WATT’S UP? A CO-NECT ENERGY PROJECT
NEW!
http://exchange.co-nect.net/Teleprojects/project/?pid=1&session=vvsj9ZSHz1G&cid=1
"Through this project, students monitor electricity use in their school,
compare this data with other schools, develop and implement a conservation
plan, and try to significantly curtail electricity use and spending."
A project for upper elementary students in which they learn how to
monitor electricity use and develop a conservation plan. Covers 4 weeks.
Needs a free sign-up. Excellent
WEATHERING THE WEATHER: EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL
WARMING ON YOUR COMMUNITY – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/19990518tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan on global warming for grades 6-12. "In this lesson,
students investigate global warming through initial discussion of recent
findings regarding weather patterns. Students act as city planning
'committees' concerned with how the trends in global warming will affect the
agriculture, industries and other aspects of their city. Each committee
develops a series of strategies to better prepare for global warming trends
in their city, as well as proposes ideas for ways in which people in the
city can combat the causes of global warming." Excellent
WE’RE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY – CURRICULUM UNIT
http://www.stf.sk.ca/teaching_res/library/teach_mat_centre/tmc/e11270/e11270.htm
A curriculum unit for grade 4 on the environment. Note that you can
substitute your own books and videos for those in the unit. Excellent
WETLAND WELFARE: PREPARING ORAL PRESENTATIONS ABOUT
WETLANDS IN THE UNITED STATES – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20050906tuesday.html
A lesson plan on wetlands for grades 6-12. "In this lesson, students
research wetlands in the United States and create visual aids for use in
oral presentations that make recommendations on preserving or restoring
wetland welfare." Excellent
WETLANDS – LEARNING ABOUT WETLANDS – CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
http://vathena.arc.nasa.gov/curric/land/wetland/
An elementary level page on wetlands with Things to Study and Things To Do.
Excellent
WETLANDS– LIST OF LINKS – LESSON PLANS
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/wetlands.html
A list of links about wetlands. Suitable for elementary students. Includes
Research/Informational Sites and Lesson Plans/Activities. Also in
Websites section. Excellent
WHAT’S SO KEY ABOUT A KEYSTONE SPECIES? – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/07/g912/co2.html
A lesson plan for grades K-2 on keystone species. "Students will learn
about Tiger Sharks through Web sites such as National Geographic: Filming
Tiger Sharks. Students will draw food chains and conduct a simulation to see
the relationship between members of the Shark Bay ecosystem and to
understand why the tiger shark is considered a keystone species. They will
conclude by writing paragraphs describing these relationships."
Excellent
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE OCEANS? CAN PHOTOGRAPHY HELP?–
LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/18/g912/doubiletwrong.html
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on the environmental problems facing the
world’s oceans. "Students at this level should be continuing their
studies of the world's environmental problems and the factors that
contribute to these problems, as well as learning about and hypothesizing
potential solutions. In this lesson, students will research environmental
problems facing the world's oceans and will think about how the art of
photography can help solve these problems, using David Doubilet's
photography as an example." Excellent
WHEN THINGS START HEATING UP – LESSON PLAN
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=330
A lesson plan for grades 3-5 on the heat generated by human activities.
"Purpose To understand how and why heat is produced from things that give
off light, from machines, or when one thing is rubbed against another."
Excellent
WHO GIVES A HOOT? DISCOVERING THE INTRICACY OF FOOD
CHAINS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20050308tuesday.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on food chains. "In this lesson,
students consider an unusually large wave of owl migration and its various
impacts on the environment and food chain. They then understand how
different biological and environmental factors affect a food chain by
creating a model and posing questions about a particular species."
Excellent
WHO PAYS THE PRICE WHEN A SEA DISAPPEARS? – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/14/g68/disappear.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-8 on environmental changes. "This lesson
asks students to learn about the problems in the Aral Sea region and to
discover how the sea's water loss is affecting specific groups of people,
such as babies and fishers. They will work in groups to prepare statements
that these people might make, and will present their statements to a mock
United Nations panel." Excellent
WHO SEES THE SEAS AS IMPORTANT? – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/06/gk2/thys.html
A lesson plan on the importance of our oceans for grades K-2. "In this
lesson, students will learn about some people who think the ocean is so
important that they have devoted their lives to studying it and its
inhabitants. Students will learn about a specific type of fish, and compare
it to other fish using information gathered by people who are studying these
animals." Excellent
WHOOPING CRANES AND THEIR HUMAN FRIENDS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/09/gk2/migrationcranes.html
A lesson plan for grades K-2 on whooping cranes. "This lesson shows
students how people are helping endangered whooping cranes by teaching
cranes raised in captivity how to live in the wild and how to migrate.
Students will view videos or photographs of whooping cranes being raised by
mechanical crane-like puppets and being led in their first migration
journeys by piloted ultra light aircraft disguised as birds. They will
conclude by creating timelines showing the process by which whooping cranes
are raised in captivity and taught migration routes." Excellent
WHO’S AFRAID OF THE REINTRODUCED WOLF?: THE EFFECTS OF
REINTRODUCING SPECIES INTO HABITATS CHANGED BY HUMANS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20000314tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on endangered species. "In this lesson,
students investigate the impacts of the reintroduction of animal species to
the animals' natural habitats, the animals themselves and humans."
Excellent
WHOSE RITE IS IT? EXPLORING NATIVE AMERICAN AND WILDLIFE
PROTECTION LAWS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20001120monday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on endangered species. "In this lesson,
students explore and debate, from multiple perspectives, a petition to allow
Hopi Indians to take golden eagle hatchlings from a federal wildlife
sanctuary for use in a religious ceremony." Excellent
WILD WILDLIFE: EXPLORING THE MORAL, ECONOMIC AND
ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF ANIMAL EXTINCTION - LESSON PLAN
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/19991012tuesday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons
A lesson plan for grades 6-12 on extinction. "In this lesson, students
investigate the moral, economic and ecological impacts of the extinction of
various animal species. Students first assess how and why people support and
refute actions that lead to the extinction of animals. They then examine how
the wild tiger population has grown from near-extinction due to conservation
efforts. Finally, after research on a specific animal currently near
extinction, students defend the protection of that endangered species
through a persuasive speech." Excellent
WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE MANATEE – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/14/g68/manateeworking.html
A lesson plan for grades 6-8 on the endangered manatee. "In this
lesson, students will research the manatee to find out why it is endangered.
They will write speeches they might give to boaters who are interested in
helping protect the manatee." Excellent
WORM BIN PROJECT UNIT
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/letsnet/NoFrames/Subjects/science/b2u1.html
A unit on decomposition of waste using worm bins for middle elementary
students. " In this unit, students will learn about decomposition and
the life cycle by creating worm bins. Through direct observation, they will
develop an understanding of the effects different organisms, including
humans, have on one another. They will collect and share scientific data
with students in another school over email. Such activities will give
students an opportunity to explore scientific concepts in a manner that
makes science more personally relevant and meaningful.
Students will be able to collect background information on the worm bin
project using some of the resources provided as well as directed Internet
and library searches.
The plans for this unit are tailored to fit classroom situations where
students and teachers have access to several computers that have internet
access. To accommodate the fact that few classrooms will have access to a
computer lab with full Internet access, students will work in research
groups to explore internet sites and conduct internet research."
Excellent
ALL ABOUT WATER - LESSON PLANS
http://www.courses.dsu.edu/eled320-360/Spring%202002/Gottschall/Unit/teacherwebsite.htm
Five lesson plans on water, water pollution and water conservation, all for
3rd grade. Very Good
BRINGING THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT DOWN TO EARTH – CLASSROOM
ACTIVITY
http://www.fi.edu/tfi/activity/earth/earth-4.html
A classroom activity for grades 9-12 on the Greenhouse Effect. Very
Good
DEAD ZONES: WHY ARE THE WATERS DYING? – LESSON PLAN
http://www.actionbioscience.org/environment/lessons/howarthlessons.pdf
A lesson plan for high school students on the factors that disrupt
underwater ecosystems. Students read articles about oxygen depletion and how
it leads to "dead zones" in the ocean. There are two scenarios for
discussion. Includes discussion questions for teachers. Very Good
DOWN THE DRAIN: HOW MUCH WATER DO YOU USE? –
COLLABORATIVE PROJECT
NEW!
http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/drainproj/index.html
"How much water do you use everyday in your home? Would you be surprised to
learn that according to the USGS the average American uses between 80-100
gallons (approx. 300 - 375 liters) of water per day? Do you think
people in other parts of the world use more or less water than Americans?
Well, this collaborative project will help you find out the answers to these
questions. By collecting data on water usage from people around the world
you will be able to see how your water use compares to others and determine
what you might do to use less water." For grades 4-8. Very Good
EARTH DAY FROM ABC TEACH – CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
http://www.abcteach.com/directory/theme_units/month_to_month/d_april/earth_day/
A collection of puzzles and activities for Earth Day. Very Good
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION LESSON PLANS
http://www.geoec.org/lessons/index.html
A group of lesson plans on environmental topics. Very Good
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE POLAR REGIONS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/05/g912/polarregions.html
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on the polar regions and their environment.
"The polar regions are frequently neglected in discussions of the
environment, but they shouldn't be. The environment of the polar regions is
particularly susceptible to human impacts such as pollution and the
depletion of the ozone layer. Moreover, the effects of global warming on the
polar regions are likely to have major repercussions in the rest of the
world. Students will learn about how environmental problems affect the polar
regions, and they will create magazine ads to educate the public about these
problems and to convince people to pay more attention to human impacts on
the Arctic and Antarctic." Very Good
GARBAGE AND RECYCLING PROJECT – CURRICULUM PROJECT
http://www.monroe.k12.il.us/websites/bking/project_outline.htm
A project for grades 4-8. A curriculum project on recycling and waste
management. Very Good
GLOBAL WARMING – CURRICULUM UNIT
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/letsnet/noframes/subjects/science/b5u1.html
A five-lesson curriculum unit on Global Warming for middle-senior high
students. Very Good
THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT IN A JAR – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.fi.edu/tfi/activity/earth/earth-5.html
A classroom activity for grades K-8 on the Greenhouse Effect. Very
Good
HOW DOES ACID RAIN AFFECT AN ECOSYSTEM? – DIRTMEISTER’S
SCIENCE LAB
http://teacher.scholastic.com/dirt/ecosys/index.htm
Students follow the Dirtmeister, perform experiments and share the results.
Has a Teacher’s Guide. Very Good
HOW MUCH RAIN IN A RAINFOREST? – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/lessonplans/theme/rain1.htm
"Activity: Students compare the annual rainfall of the world’s major
ecosystems, then create a bar graph comparing the annual rainfall of the
Amazon rain forest to the annual rainfall in different regions of the United
States. They will apply graph skills to see how rainfall varies in different
ecosystems and parts of the world." Very Good
HYDROTHERMAL VENT COMMUNITIES – LESSON PLAN
http://www.botos.com/marine/vents01.html
A lesson plan for grades 7-10 on hydrothermal vents. "This webpage
will familiarize students with a hydrothermal vent habitat. Students will
learn where vents are likely to form, how they form, and how physical
conditions contribute to the development of a living vent community and to
its eventual demise." Includes information on the various aspects of
geothermal vents. Very Good
A LOOK AT THE POPULATION DENSITY OF THE UNITED STATES –
LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/01/g912/density.html
A lesson plan on population density for grades 9-12. "Students will
create maps showing the population density of the U.S. at different scales.
This will enable students to organize spatial information in categories,
analyze the information, and draw conclusions." Very Good
LOW-LEVEL NUCLEAR WASTE: A GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS – LESSON
PLAN
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/18/g912/nuclearwaste.html
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 on nuclear waste. "In this lesson,
students will learn how to analyze the problems surrounding nuclear waste.
They will compare and contrast low- and high-level nuclear waste, and make
decisions concerning how to dispose of low-level nuclear waste."
Very Good
RAIN: FRIEND OR FOE? – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/07/g68/rain.html
A lesson plan on rain for grades 6-8. "In this lesson students will
use their knowledge of rainfall, vegetation, and the slope angles of
hillsides to make decisions, predict outcomes, and analyze the effects of
certain events or practices (e.g., overgrazing, forest fires, and
clear-cutting woodlands resulting in deforestation). This lesson will help
students appreciate the complex relationships between various physical
processes and the features they help create. It is essential that students
understand the physical processes affecting the Earth's surface and, using
that knowledge, make intelligent predictions and decisions." Very
Good
SLICK SEA SPILLS – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.fi.edu/tfi/activity/earth/earth-2.html
A classroom activity for grades 4-6 on what happens in an oil
spill. Very Good
TRASH BASHER – CLASSROOM EXPERIMENTS
NEW!
http://www.galaxy.net/~k12/recycle/
Twelve simple experiments for 1st grade students on trash and
waste management. Very Good
TRASH TRAITS – MARINE DEBRIS – LESSON PLANS
http://www.marine.usf.edu/beachbuddies/background.html
Information on the problem of marine debris, what constitutes trash, and
what to do about it. Developed for Tampa Bay but adaptable to New Jersey’s
coast. Includes Background and 4 Lesson Plans. Very Good
Waste Not, Want
Not - A Target Science Waste Management & Recycling Teacher Resource Unit
http://www.lalc.k12.ca.us/target/units/recycle/index.html
A unit of study on waste management and recycling. Sections include: Recipes
for a Cleaner Environment, Lessons and Investigations, Los Angeles Waste
Management and Recycling Project, and Related Web Sites and Other Resources.
Very Good
WASTE – WHERE DOES IT COME FROM? WHERE DOES IT GO? –
LESSON PLAN
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/enved/Rec_Lessons/waste.htm
A K-12 unit on waste management focusing on the various waste materials
generated by the school. Students examine what wastes are generated and how
they are disposed of. Very Good
WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING FOR EARTH DAY? – CLASSROOM
ACTIVITIES
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson059.shtml
Suggestions for classroom activities for Earth Day. Very Good
YOU BE THE PREDATOR – SIMULATING NATURAL SELECTION
NEW!
http://www.studyworksonline.com/cda/content/explorations/0,,NAV2-75_SEP898,00.shtml
An online activity in which student learn about natural selection. It starts
with information on natural selection and then moves to a game which
simulates predation by clicking on dots representing species. Suitable for
intermediate/middle school students. Very Good
ADAPTING TO THE LAND – LESSON PLAN
http://www.eduplace.com/ss/act/adpland.html
A lesson plan for primary grades on how humans adapt to their environment
and how the United States has different environments in different regions.
Good
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.leeric.lsu.edu/educat/lesson3.htm
A classroom activity in which students use a parabolic solar collector to
"cook" marshmallows. Good
COMPOSTING LESSON PLANS – URBAN ECOLOGY WASTE REDUCTION
PROJECT
http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/physio/schools/318/complp.html
A collection of lesson plan in sequence on composting. Includes a list of
foods found in school cafeterias suitable for composting. Good
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY – LESSON PLAN
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceConservationOfEnergy810.htm
A lesson plan for grades 8-10 on energy. "Objective: To demonstrate
the law of the conservation of energy (blocks) without counting the units of
energy directly." Good
CREATING A LANDFILL – LESSON PLAN
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceCreateLandfillPreventErosionIdea48.htm
A lesson plan on landfills for grades 4-8 in which students make their own
miniature landfill. Good
EDUCATING YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT WATER – CURRICULUM GUIDE
DATABASE
NEW!
http://www.uwex.edu/erc/eypaw/
"Use the Educating Young People About Water database to find
a curriculum that is appropriate for learners. Curricula listings include
education topics and goals, and other unique resources useful in creating a
water education opportunity or event." Includes 150 curricula. Good
EVERYTHING IS COMING UP MOSSES! – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.scsc.k12.ar.us/TyeE/
Information on mosses and their important role in ecosystems. Includes a
lesson plan for elementary students. Good
GREAT BASIN DESERT ECOSYSTEM LESSON PLAN
http://www.scsc.k12.ar.us/1999outwest/members/LachowskyR/lesson_plan.htm
A lesson plan on the desert ecosystem for grades 5-6. "Students will
become familiar with the Great Basin Desert and how it differs from the
other deserts of the Southwestern United States." Good
HAZARDOUS WASTE AWARENESS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceCIHazardousWasteAwareness610.htm
A lesson plan for grades 6-10 on hazardous waste. "Objectives: 1.
Locate hazardous chemicals in the home 2. Describe the dangers posed by
hazardous compounds in the home 3. Demonstrate a knowledge of safer
alternative compounds to use." Good
HOW MUCH WATER CAN WE SAVE WHILE BRUSHING OUR TEETH? –
LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Mathematics/Process_Skills/MPS0016.html
A lesson plan for water conservation for grades 3-5. "Students will
learn how much water they waste by leaving the water running when brushing
their teeth in a day. They will also use the data that they collected to
create a number of graphs. Activities can be extended to focus on water
conservation and ecology, or on healthful dental habits." Good
"I’M WARM NOW" – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.col-ed.org/cur/sci/sci161.txt
A lesson plan for grade 3 on water conservation. "Students are made aware
of just how much clean fresh water is wasted as we wait for the water to
become warm in our spigot. The students make predictions both in the amount
of time and the quantity of water wasted. They collect data for both the
kitchen and bathroom sinks. They use their calculators to find the class
average of time and water wasted per sink. They are then introduced to
PROJECTIONS and the students find the amount wasted per day per person and
make projections based on the population of the city, state, and country per
day, month, and year. A large graph showing these projections makes quite an
impressive picture. They discuss possible solutions and place the graph in a
strategic spot for other students to observe." Good
JUNK MAIL AIRMAIL – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.col-ed.org/cur/sci/sci120.txt
A lesson plan on conservation of natural resources for 3rd grade
students. "OVERVIEW: Most homes receive large amounts of unsolicited
and unwanted mail every year. This mail costs millions of dollars and wastes
valuable natural resources. Much of this junk mail ends up as litter or in
overfilled landfills. PURPOSE: Students need to learn that they can make a
contribution to the junk mail problem." Good
MAKE A RAIN STICK ACTIVITY – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://my.hsonline.net/~kidatart/htdoc/lesson44.htm
An activity for primary students in which they make a "rain stick" to help
celebrate Earth Day. Good
MAKE YOUR OWN PAPER – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.kinderart.com/recycle/makepaper.shtml
A classroom activity for kindergarten/1st grade students in which
they use recycled materials to make paper. Good
MANATEE MANSION- CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
NEW!
http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/manatee/classroom-activities-mm.htm
A classroom activity for grades 9-12 in which students design a manatee
exhibit. Good
OIL SLICK EXPERIMENT
http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/lessonplans/instructor/oilslick.htm
A simple experiment that shows how hard it is to eliminate an oil spill on
water. Good
PEOPLE CHANGING THE ATMOSPHERE – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/activity/space/sp-1.html
A classroom activity on air pollution. "Although students may
understand the cause and effects of global warming due to the greenhouse
effect, many may not establish the connection between their own behavior and
its impact. By keeping a "CO2 Journal," each student establishes this
connection, while simultaneously discovering what he or she can do to reduce
global warming." Good
POLLUTED SOIL EXPERIMENT
http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/lessonplans/pollutedsoil.htm
A simple experiment for elementary grades to see if plants will grow in
polluted soil. Good
RECYCLING PAPER – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.col-ed.org/cur/sci/sci167.txt
A lesson plan for elementary students on recycling paper in which students
recycle paper by making it into new paper sheets. Good
SINK OR SWIM? BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS – CLASSROOM
ACTIVITY
http://www.leeric.lsu.edu/educat/sink_or_swim.htm
A classroom activity for elementary students in which they determine how
packing materials break down in landfills. Good
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
http://www.kidsgardening.com/TMI/images/pdfs/2cra.pdf
A classroom activity for elementary students on biodiversity. Good
THREE PANDA DIORAMAS – CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
NEW!
http://www.newton.mec.edu/Angier/DimSum/Panda%20Diorama%20Lesson.html
Three sets of instructions for making dioramas of the giant panda in its
natural habitat. "In this activity, students research the giant
panda's habitat and make a 3-D representation of the panda in its habitat by
making any one of three dioramas. The choices for the construction of the
dioramas are: individual shoe box diorama, small individual triangle diorama
and group large box diorama." For elementary students. Good
WETLANDS – LESSON PLAN
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceWetlandsIdeaHS.htm
A lesson plan for grades 7-12 on wetlands. "Reading assignment: Read
about wetlands. Use a variety of sources such as the Internet, Audubon
Society nature guides, encyclopedias, etc. Pick one wetland system. Describe
the ecosystem. Include water regime, common plants and animals, soil types
if available, and any economic benefit to humans. Draw a food web for your
ecosystem." Good
WETLANDS MIGRATION – LESSON PLAN
NEW!
http://www.col-ed.org/cur/sci/sci45.txt
A lesson plan for grades 2-6 on wetlands.
"OBJECTIVES: 1. Students will be able to operationally define
migration. 2. Students will be able to visualize the dependence of wetlands
for Migrating birds." Good
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? – LESSON PLAN
http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/gen_act/guests/whatdo.html
A primary lesson plan in which students draw scenes of different
environments and then introduce unexpected visitors to those environments.
Students have to show how those visitors would react to the environment.
Good
WHAT’S A WATT? – LESSON PLAN
http://www.leeric.lsu.edu/educat/whats_a_watt.htm
A middle school lesson plan on electricity. Good
WEBQUESTS
ACID RAIN WEBQUEST
http://www.swlauriersb.qc.ca/english/edservices/pedresources/webquest/rainwq.htm
A webquest on the issue of acid rain. "A local citizens' group has
hired you, and a group of other researchers, to investigate acid rain. You
will take on the role of either a Chemist, Ecologist, Health Scientist, or
Economist and examine the issue from that perspective. Working within this
team, you will create a web site detailing the problems caused by acid rain
and recommending ways that these problems can be alleviated."
Excellent
ALIEN INVASION OF HAWAII – WEBQUEST
NEW!
http://www.nevada.edu/~karla/
A webquest for middle school students on the damage by introduced species to
native species. "The Quest: In this WebQuest, you will
examine the damage being done by "introduced species" to native species of
plants and animals in Hawaii, the United States, and throughout the world.
You will explore ways to save native species of plants and animals, prevent
further damage by harmful "non-indigenous species", and investigate ways to
increase public awareness about this important issue." Can be
adapted to other areas. We found one broken link on this site. Excellent
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES WEBQUEST
http://www.dmrtc.net/~embrys/aesindex.htm
A high school level webquest. "This WebQuest was designed for use as
part of a unit exploring alternative energy sources in Environmental
Science: The Original World Wide Web, an advanced science course at Mitchell
High School in Mitchell, Indiana (home of the Mighty Bluejackets). It
employs constructivist, problem-based learning strategies along with
Internet resources to investigate alternative energy sources and their
impact on the environment and society. Non-renewable fossil fuels provide
the majority of our energy in this part of the country at this time. In the
future, we will have to rely increasingly on renewable and perpetual energy
sources because we will deplete our reserves of fossil fuels."
Excellent
AMAZON FOOD WEB – WEBQUEST
NEW!
http://www.callunafineflowers.com/memorial_middle_school/WebQuest/index.htm
A webquest for middle school students on food webs. "The Museo de Sud
America has employed you and your partner(s) as their research biologists.
The members of the museum are concerned about the Selvas region of South
America. This region is tropical rainforest and better known as the Amazon
jungle. The rainforest is being destroyed on a daily basis and the museum
wants to educate the public about the living things that form the forest.
Their hope is to preserve the forest through education. Since the organisms
within the forest are dependant upon each other, as well as we are dependant
on the forest, the focus of this project is on the forest's delicate food
web." Excellent
BARRIER ISLANDS: TO BUILD OR NOT TO BUILD – WEBQUEST
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/science/webquest/content/barrierisland.shtml
A webquest on development of barrier islands for junior/senior students.
"Your job in this WebQuest is to develop an educated opinion as to
whether or not people should build permanent structures on barrier islands.
You will need to learn about the geological and physical nature of barrier
islands, and how barrier islands change over time. You will look at
development of barrier islands and find out how the beaches on these islands
are maintained. You will find out how different states handle the protection
or development of their barrier islands. You will also find out what happens
to permanent structures that are built on barrier islands. Finally, you will
form an opinion as to whether permanent structures should be built on
barrier islands. Once you have done your research, you will prepare an open
letter to the editor of a newspaper in which you outline what you have
learned about barrier islands and state your opinion on whether permanent
structures should be built there. Your letter should include information
about the geology and ecology of barrier islands as well as the changes they
are subject to. Your goal is to convince readers of the newspaper that your
conclusion is correct, and to encourage them to write to the appropriate
agencies in support of your position." Excellent
BAYQUEST – AN INTERNET WEBQUEST ON CHESAPEAKE BAY WATER
QUALITY
http://www.pcee.org/ProfDevInit/Resources/bayquest.htm
There are numerous environmental problems effecting Chesapeake Bay. Your
class has been hired to investigate the problems and causes of nutrient
pollution in the bay. Excellent
BE A SOLUTION TO STORM DRAIN POLLUTION – WEBQUEST
NEW!
http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/miramesa/drains/
A webquest for senior high students on storm drain pollution. "Your
task will be to use the web and the resource links to gather research data
and information, and to develop and support your solution to pollution.
To help solve the storm drain pollution problem, you will produce an
educational ad campaign which will require you to: ● Prepare a display board
to be used as a visual aid illustrating storm drains, research statistics,
and your solutions. ● Create an educational pamphlet featuring methods of
cleaning up our storm drains -OR- ● Produce a 2-3 minute persuasive video
describing storm drain pollution and your solution ● Create a logo to
reflect your solution to pollution ● Present your culminating project
including all the above elements for peer and teacher evaluation."
Excellent
THE BIG WIDE WORLD WEBQUEST
NEW!
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/bww/
A webquest for grades K-4 about life on earth. "Some people think
elementary school students should be coloring inside the lines, circling
words in a search, or copying sentences from the board. Maybe that's okay,
but we'd rather you figure out what life's all about. You know, what about
this earth we live on and share with all the plants and animals. Also, what
about people who live far away? What are their lives like? These aren't easy
questions so you'll be working as a group to combine your ideas. Be sure to
read the evaluation rubric for this WebQuest before
going on to The Big Question and Your Task."
Sections: Introduction, The Big Question, Windows on the World, Group
Work, Conclusion, Scoring Rubric and Teacher’s Guide. Excellent
CORAL REEF – WEBQUEST
NEW!
http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/ndodd/webquest.htm
A webquest for 3rd grade students on coral reefs. "You can
help to protect the coral reefs of the world! In order to be a part of
this important project you must first gather information about the causes of
the destruction of the coral reefs. You will choose a coral reef
destination in the world to help save by writing a letter to the government
in hopes to persuade them to save this valuable resource. With another
concerned citizen, you will create a type of advertisement to make the
public aware of the dangers to the coral reef and to persuade them to help
protect it." Excellent
CORAL REEF RESCUE – WEBQUEST
NEW!
http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webquests/coralreefs/
A webquest for 3rd grade students on coral reefs. "Find out
who (or what!) is the culprit in the coral reef murders. Along the way, you
must also determine the most likely cause(s) of death of the coral reefs,
the effects of coral reef death on other organisms, and one method by which
this death can be stopped.
This is a very serious mission. You have been given top-secret clearance
because of the sensitivity of the case - no one knows who the culprit is and
everyone is on edge anticipating that the truth will come out. You must work
quickly and efficiently with the other team members, but most importantly
work quietly. Beware, there are unauthorized teams working on this same
case, but their intentions are impure, they are out only for themselves.
Stay on your toes, beware of wandering eyes and never leave your research
unattended. If you are careful, your team will crack this case wide open,
we'll catch the murder(s) before its too late, and we'll figure out a way
for the surviving coral reefs to be saved. I am your contact person during
the course of this investigation. If you have questions, need help or
advice, approach me, but please keep it quiet, you never know who is lurking
around the next corner! Good luck - you'll need it." Excellent
DEAD MOSQUITOES VS. DEAD CHILDREN – WEBQUEST
http://www.geocities.com/malariacontrol/webquest/index.html
A webquest on pollution for grades 9-12. "To create a logical argument
supporting or opposing the worldwide ban on DDT 1. Each student group
member will research various opinions and facts about DDT and the
controversy surrounding the proposed worldwide ban.
2. Individually you will present the information you have researched
to a group.
3. As a large group, you will compose a logical argument supporting or
opposing the worldwide ban 4. The group will work together to form a
PowerPoint presentation demonstrating your logical argument supporting or
opposing the worldwide ban on DDT." Excellent
DENALI PLANNING WEBQUEST
NEW!
http://www.nps.gov/akso/ParkWise/Teachers/Planning/DENA_WebQuest/intro.htm
A webquest for grades 7 and up on planning for the best use of Denali
National Park land. "Currently, there is only one road into the park.
It is 90 miles long and ends at an old mining town called Kantishna.
Visitors must take a bus, bike or walk into the park beyond mile 14 of the
road. The road is narrow and winding and is difficult and expensive to
maintain. The road is closed in the winter.
Several different action plans are being considered for the future of Denali
National Park and Preserve. You and the members of your group have been
asked by the Denali National Park Planning Department to review and comment
upon an action plan for the future of Denali National Park and Preserve."
Excellent
DESERT DETECTIVES - WEBQUEST
NEW!
http://studentweb.fontbonne.edu/~tgre565/webquest/
A webquest for upper elementary/middle school students on the desert biome.
"Your mission is to travel to the planet Earth and
explore the desert biome. You will report back to headquarters, using a
variety of methods, about the climate, physical features, plants, and
animals found in this habitat. Please include any special adaptations we
might need to live there. Remember, time is very important. We must make a
decision as to which environment best fits our needs soon, so do some of
your researching everyday. Good Luck to you Desert Detectives!"
We found a couple of broken links on this site. Excellent
HOW WAS THE EASTERN AMERICAN ECOSYSTEM AFFECTED BY THE
AMERICAN CHESTNUT BLIGHT? WEBQUEST
http://auden.webster.edu/~galgater/amchest/
A webquest for high school science students in which they examine how the
ecosystem of the eastern part of the U.S. was affected by the loss of
chestnut trees to blight. "The American Chestnut was the dominant tree
in eastern North America and was an integral part of the food web in the
area. This situation is a good example of how a species fits into the food
web and what happens when a critical part is removed. By examining this
case, and answering the following questions you will learn about the
interdependency that all living creatures have on one another" We
found a couple of broken links within this site. Excellent
WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE WE FROM?... A SEARCH OF THE
WORLD’S BIOMES – WEBQUEST
NEW!
http://warrensburg.k12.mo.us/webquest/biomes/index.htm
A webquest on biomes for 7th grade students. "Now that you
know some general information about the biomes, it is time to get to work.
Your job will be to work with a team of scientists to gather information
about one of the biomes of the world. Each team will consist of a
Climatologist, a Biologist, an Environmentalist, and a Geologist. You will
each conduct a web search for information in your special field of science
and then collaborate to produce an informational display for the 1st annual
Biomes Conference. This conference will be attended by others in your fields
and the general public. You will need to prepare an educational display and
be prepared to give short talks and answer questions. Your educational
display should include the following: ° The information obtained by each of
the four scientific researchers ° The areas of the world that are a part of
this biome marked on a map or a globe ° Visual examples to help support your
written information" We found a couple of broken links among the
many on this site. Excellent
