Eighth graders discover their own ecological footprint and create a plan for reducing this figure. They extend this to the school and community to see how they are doing on this scale. They discuss the concept of the ecological...

Students demonstrate the greenhouse effect. They recognize that relatively small changes to our environment can stimulate significant climate changes. They determine that the "scientific method" is a process of testing hypotheses and...

Students, after researching and brainstorming about aquifers and locating aquifer maps of Texas, participate in the building of a model of an aquifer complete with a pumping station. They also answer a variety of questions at the...

Fifth graders use a real life scenario of the wetlands to gather information on creatures of the habitat.  For this wetlands lesson, 5th graders research the interdependence of organisms in a healthy habitat. Students collected...

Students study the 'Marine Protected Areas' process.  In this ocean lesson students work in groups, conduct research and present it to the class.

In this trees lesson, 4th graders read the book, A Tree is Growing and complete a KWL chart on how trees grow and how they are used. Students research the symbiotic relationship of humans and trees, create tree collages, plant a...

Students use the steps of the Scientific Method to develop and test their own ideas through experimentation with ants.

Young scholars demonstrate how epidemiological investigations of outbreaks are performed. They illustrate the principles of hypothesis formation and testing by epidemiologic study in the setting of an acute foodborne disease outbreak.

Students explore Green Construction. In this lesson plan based on the experiences of Peace Corps volunteers, students gain insight into alternative construction in Guatemala. They examine the pros and cons of using alternative building...

Students investigate the problem of pollution and its effects on the environment. The use of questions for research stimulate thinking and advanced problem solving skills. The important skill of reflection is used to help students form...

Pupils develop criteria for a healthy and environmentally friendly breakfast and use these criteria to design a breakfast menu. They use a decision chart to evaluate their choices which is imbedded in this plan.

Learners use text information, data and graphs to explain what sustainable development is, and to investigate the rate of consumption of Canada's natural resources. In groups, they graph their findings.

Students download or create maps with numerical weather data. They add isolines and color to create regions on their maps. They explore the visual properties of color palettes and create a visualization applying their knowledge.

Sixth graders explore process of drying food using solar energy. They cook and/or dry food such as pumpkins, watermelon, corn, and deer meat, explain how solar energy changes foods, and compare and contrast solar energy with other forms...

Students, after researching a Texas coastal basin, map and graph the information they collect and then translate it into a short report to be presented to their classmates. They brainstorm unique ways to maintain Texas estuaries as well...

Students identify the differences in local soil types and the relationship between soil size and water retention. They are introduced to microenvironmental conditions in ecosystem sustainability.

Learners use FoilSim to design an airplane wing that generates a given lift. As they change parameters such as airspeed, altitude, angle of attack, thickness and curvature of the airfoil, and size of the wing area, the software...

Sixth graders compare and contrast incomplete and complete metamorphosis using a Venn Diagram. They predict, observe, measure, and record data on the life cycle of mealworms. Students write and illustrate the life cycle of the mealworm....

Students research a website to learn about the Florida panther. In this animal research instructional activity, students use the scavenger hunt directions to search a website about Florida panthers. Students also solve word puzzles...

Students demonstrate an understanding of the properties of matter by applying them to density, pressure, and temperature. The educational software program, "Foilsim" is used in this inquiry.

Tenth graders explore the weapons of the Aboriginal people. In this tenth grade mathematics lesson, 10th graders investigate how throwing with an atlatl increase the speed of the dart as it is thrown. Students calculate the speed for...

Students discover the potential dangers of weather in their hometown.  For this environmental lesson, students research Hurricane Hugo and the devastation it caused South Carolina in 1989.  Students record weather data from...

Students, after reading an explanation from a NASA Web-based textbook, demonstrate an understanding of the text by applying it to questions involving cruising aircraft and balanced forces.

Middle schoolers work in cooperative learning groups to create PowerPoint or KeyNote presentations on how humans impact the earth. This lesson can be accomplished in three different parts.