Teaching Resources - Conservation
Visit conservation links on our other EE sites:
EPA links
Adventures
of the Garbage Gremlin (PDF, 20pp, 5MB About
PDF )Grades
K-5
epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/recycle/gremlin.pdf
Cleaner Water through
Conservation Grades
9-12, Teachers
EPA Publication 841B95002, 70pp, 1995
An explanation about the relationshipbetween the quantity of water and its
quality and discussion of how developing water-use efficiency programs can
help States and local communities achieve cleaner water through conserving
water.
Consumer's
Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste Grades
6-8, Grades
9-12
epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/reduce/catbook.htm
This site describes how people can help solve a growing problem...garbage!
Bird Conservation Teachers
epa.gov/owow/birds/
Healthy wildlife is integral to healthy ecosystems; learn about bird conservation
initiatives and things you can do.
Happy
Earth Day Activity Book Grades
K-5
epa.gov/region5/publications/happy/happy.htm
Locate Your
Watershed Grades
9-12, Teachers
cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm
Locate your watershed by entering your ZIP code or the name of a stream, city,
tribe, lake, school, airport, and more.
Magnificent
Ground Water Connection K-12
epa.gov/region01/students/teacher/gndwater.html
This ground water activity guide is applicable to a wide range of subject
matter and the topics include basic concepts on the water cycle, water distribution,
treatment, and stewardship. This page includes five sample lesson activity
plans.
Pollution
Prevention Toolbox Grades
6-8
epa.gov/reg5rcra/wptdiv/p2pages/toolbox.htm
The toolbox contains a series of four-page lesson plans on various
pollution prevention concepts for schools. Grades 6-8.
Recycle City Grades
K-5
epa.gov/recyclecity/
Recycling Grades
9-12, Teachers
epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/recycle.htm
Because there's not one simple remedy for our trash problem, this site explains
and explores why we need to consider a combination of solutions to manage it.
Reducing and reusing waste, recycling, burning trash for energy recovery, and
landfilling are all parts of the solution.
Teens for Planet
Earth Grades
6-8,Grades
9-12
teens4planetearth.com/teenshome
Check out this site to learn more about how YOU can protect this amazing planet. This site has facts about the natural world, the latest conservation news, and how teens can – and do – make a difference. by carrying out environmental service-learning projects in their communities.
Wetlands Education K-12
epa.gov/owow/wetlands/education/
Everything you need to help your student understand wetlands and how they fit
into the water cycle and the environment. A portal site of links to activities,
curriculum, education programs, resources and teaching tools to assist you
in wetlands and habitat education.
What's Wrong
with this Picture? Grades
K-5
epa.gov/OWOW/NPS/kids/whatwrng.htm
Where
Can I Take My Computer? Grades
9-12, Teachers
epa.gov/epr/products/computers.html
Web sites and organizations that can provide information on opportunities for
donating and recycling computers and other electronics.
External links
Agriculture and
Water Quality Flash Movies Grades
6-8
www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/flash
Seven different animated clips explaining water quality issues that affect
agriculture. Be sure to check out RoboCow,
the animated environmental advocate who uses her radar vision to detect on-farm
perils! You'll need the Flash plug-in to view the clips.
Air
Pollution, What's the Solution Grades
6-8, Grades
9-12
www.k12science.org/curriculum/airproj
This site offers a comprehensive Web-based curriculum unit on air quality,
ozone and particle pollution. Intermediate grade students explore EPA's Web
sites on air quality as they discover the scientific and health related concerns.
Your students will also gain Web browsing skills as they complete this interactive
and fun program. Grades 6-12.
The Alaska Native
Knowledge Network: Traditional Ecological Knowledge Teachers
www.ankn.uaf.edu/tek.html
The Alaska Native Knowledge Network is designed to serve as a resource for
compiling and exchanging information related to Alaska Native knowledge systems
and ways of knowing. This site provides documentation related to the ways in
which Native people acquire and utilize knowledge related to the ecological
system in which they are situated.
Backyard
Conservation Grades
K-5, Grades
6-8
www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/
The Natural Resources Conservation Service shows you how to conserve and improve
natural resources. Practices used on agricultural land across the country can
be adapted for the land around your home.
Become
an IPM Super Sleuth Grades
K-5, Grades
6-8
www.ipminstitute.org/supersleuth.htm
Created with support from EPA and the National Foundation for IPM Education,
IPM Super Sleuth teaches kids in grades1-7 about Integrated Pest Management
with the use of word games.
Biodiversity 911 Grades
6-8
www.biodiversity911.org/
Why do we really need all those plant and animal species? Does it really make
a difference if another is lost to extinction? Learn of the many factors that
affect habitat and how individuals can make a positive impact. Games, activities
and tips aplenty.
BirdSource Teachers
www.birdsource.org/
Use several national bird watching projects as environmental education projects
to increase an understanding of the ways animals interact with their habitats.
Learn how to participate in local and national bird counts.
Chesapeake
Bay Game Grades
K-5
kids.earth.nasa.gov/games/ches/
Chesapeake Academic Resources for Teachers Grades
9-12, Teachers
chart.chesapeakebay.net/
This
regional partnership directs and conducts the restoration of Chesapeake
Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. Helps educators provide meaningful watershed educational experiences to their students. ChART offers lesson plans and activities, field studies and professional development opportunities.
Classroom Earth K-12, Teachers
www.ClassroomEarth.org
This National Environmental Education & Training Foundation (NEETF) website
provides the 'best of the best' collection of environmental education programs
and resources for K-12 teachers by providing up-to-date information on the
most successful, well-tested and effective national environmental education
programs available.
Conservation
Education Projects K-12
www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/ce/content/for_teachers/
The Forest Service's Conservation Education program helps people of all ages
understand and appreciate our country's natural resources and how to conserve
those resources for future generations.
Dr. E's Energy
Lab Grades
6-8
www.eere.energy.gov/kids/
Come learn about different types of Energy at the Department of Energy's e-lab.
Ducks
Unlimited for Educators Teachers
www.greenwing.org/dueducator/noncssdu_educator.html
Teacher guide and curriculum for teaching about wetlands. A wide variety of
activities geared to particular age groups.
E-Field Trips Grades
6-8,Grades
9-12
Teachers can sign in to take their class on virtual field trips to a variety
of National Parks and other nature sites. These visits are free, and include
worksheets for students and the possibility of Q&A and scheduled chats. Requires
Flash Player.
Earth Café 2050
www.ithaca.edu/sustainability/outreach_earthcafe2050.php
Hands-on curriculum based activity to determine future ecological footprint in the year 2050. Works best for a classroom or other group.
EEK!
Environmental Education for Kids Teachers Pages Grades K-5
www.dnr.wi.gov/eek/teacher
This site is for teachers helping their students use EEK! - an electronic magazine
for kids in grades 4-8 by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The
activities in this engaging site are well thought out.
Energy Hog Grades
K-5, Grades
6-8
www.energyhog.org
Interactive energy education site aimed at grades 3-8, contains classroom activities for teachers. Uses engaging Flash animations, sponsored by US Dept. of Energy and others.
Energy Kids Page K-12
www.eia.doe.gov/kids/classactivities/
Classroom activities section includes glossary, science fair experiments, and lots of background information on renewable energy. Activities are sorted by age range. From the Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration.
FT Exploring Science and Technology Grades
6-8, Grades
9-12, Teachers
www.ftexploring.com
Learn what energy is, how it's created, and how it's used. Explore how energy, as food, moves through Earth's ecosystems. Find out how energy makes life possible and how we can use energy better.
Fuel Economy Site Grades
9-12
www.fueleconomy.gov/feg
Visit this site to learn about fuel economy, current and future fuel technology
and its importance to us.
Global
Warming Facts and Our Future - Koshland Science Museum Grades
6-8, Grades
9-12
www.koshlandscience.org/exhibitgcc/
Explore the latest scientific information on global warming. Discover how a
warmer climate might affect your life and what could be done to minimize the
potentially harmful effects of climate change.
Ground
Water Primer Grades
6-8, Grades
9-12
www.purdue.edu/dp/envirosoft/groundwater/src/ground.htm
This computer program presents the basic concepts of ground water, the contaminants
that can affect water quality along with the risks they pose, activities that
an individual or community can do to help protect and conserve ground water,
and programs that are now in place to help protect ground water.
Journey North Grades
6-8, Grades
9-12
www.learner.org/jnorth/
A global study of wildlife migration. Students in North America track the journeys
of a dozen migratory species and share their own field observations with classrooms
across the Hemisphere.
Nab the Aquatic Invader Grades
6-8
www.sgnis.org/kids/
This interactive cartoon uses detective characharters to learn about invasive species -- different kinds, why they are harmful, how they affect economy and ecosystem.
National Environmental Education
Week K-12
www.eeweek.org/resources/curricula_library.htm
Whether you are a teacher in a public, private, or homeschool classroom, or an educator at a nature center, zoo, or aquarium, Environmental Education Week can help you to actively engage your students in environmental education. The Environmental Education Curricula Library provides environmentally-themed lessons and activities for K-12.
National Renewable
Energy Laboratory K-12
www.nrel.gov/education/
NREL is the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and they have science and
technology curriculum for grades K-12 using renewable energy as the vehicle
to capture student interest. Also offers teacher professional development programs.
Nature Net Grades
6-8, Grades
9-12
www.nature.nps.gov/
Detailed materials about natural resources that the National Park Service maintains,
including biology, geology, air, and water. Check Links to Learning for environmental
education resources from different Parks.
NOAA Fisheries
Office of Protected Resources Grades
6-8
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/education/
Learn what this office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
is doing to protect marine mammals and endangered species.
Pest
Patrol: A Backyard Activity Book for Kids Grades
K-5, Grades
6-8
www.mda.state.mn.us/IPM/ipmpubs.html#patrol
Some insects bug you, some bugs protect you. This printable activity book includes
quizes, puzzles, games to help you learn which insects are pests and which
are the rest.
Project Learning Tree K-12
www.plt.org
This national environmental education program includes correlations with the
national environmental education performance standards. This program is recognized
around the country as providing facilitators and participants with well-conceived
and inquiry-oriented activities. The curriculum is available for a fee; the
newsletter is free and there is a sample curriculum online.
Rainforest
Alliance Learning Site K-12, Teachers
www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/education/
Providing a rainforest curriculum for grades K through 6 this site provides
materials to teach current conservation challenges, cultural differences and
the wise use of resources, to help students understand the rainforest environment.
Resources
To Learn More About Endangered Species Grades
6-8, Grades
9-12, Teachers
www.fws.gov/endangered/education/
From the Fish and Wildlife Service, a list of materials that may give you some
ideas to help a species near you get on its road to recovery, because recovery
is the ultimate goal for each threatened and endangered species.
Science
NetLinks K-12, Teachers
www.sciencenetlinks.com
This site provides standards-based lesson plans that incorporate reviewed Internet
resources, and can be selected according to specific benchmarks and grade ranges.
Each lesson is tied to at least one learning goal and uses research-based instructional
strategies that support student learning. The lessons are written for the teacher,
but include student-ready materials such as student sheets (student reproducibles)
or E-Sheets (online worksheets that enable students to engage directly in Internet
activities).
Tidbits
for Teachers: Conservation and Stewardship K-12
www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/education/
Natural Resources Conservation Service provides conservation education material
for teachers K-12.
Watts On Your Mind
www.wattsonschools.com/wattsonyourmind.htm
This Web site was created to help elementary school-aged kids understand the
importance of not wasting energy and to learn what they can do to stop wasting
energy at home.
What
on Earth? (water, soil, land quiz) Grades
6-8, Grades
9-12
gaia.hq.nasa.gov/quiz/quiz_start-template.cfm
What's Up
with the Environment Grades
9-12
www.thirteen.org/edonline/wue/
If you need a single lesson or a longer term project, visit this site for extensive
and multimedia background information and plans for projects about water, land,
air and energy. Students can explore environmental issues, formulate and find
answers to questions about the environment, and explore "Cool Careers" for
ideas about an environment-related job.
Wildlife Fact Sheets Grades
9-12
species.fws.gov
From the Fish and Wildlife Service, basic information about species of regular
public interest.
Year of the
Ocean Kids Page Grades
K-5
www.yoto98.noaa.gov/kids.htm
More goodies from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, learn
about endangered whales, seals, and sea lions; fascinating facts about fish;
how to Adopt a Buoy; and much more.