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Environmental Education

Public Lands

Get to Know Your Public Lands
(BLM Environmental Education Feature)
Interactive game in which students use clues to identify states where BLM administers public lands.
http://www.blm.gov/education/LearningLandscapes/menu/news8.html
 
Walk on the Wild Side: Explore Your Public Lands
(Children's activity book in PDF--requires Adobe Acrobat reader)
Children's activity book that introduces BLM and many of the issues the agency faces in managing public lands.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_kids/contents.html
 
 
Ecosystems:  Management/Great Basin/Desert
All Shapes and Sizes
(Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1998, p. 39)
Students describe and analyze landscapes at various scales to draw different conclusions in this activity.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/Columbia_river_basin/classroom.html
 
Ecosystems In Your Backyard, In Your World
(Classroom Activities from Science & Children, Nov/Dec 1994, pp 38 - 39)
Sixteen ideas for teaching ecosystem science topics in the classroom, including developing a field guide to local trees, conducting experiments on succession and acid rain, and investigating schoolyard micro-habitats.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/understanding_ecosystem_management/posterback.html
 
Understanding Ecosystem Management
( Based on Science & Children article, November/December 1994)
Article includes concepts such as biodiversity, balance, scale, and connections and discusses how managers apply ecosystem principles in managing natural resources on public lands; includes poster and classroom activities.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/understanding_ecosystem_management/index.html
 
Watersheds All Around, Scavenger Hunt
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1998, p. 39
In these two activities students explore what a watershed is and how it works by simulating a watershed in the classroom and then making observations outside.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/Columbia_river_basin/classroom.html
 
A Great Basin Full of Activities
( Science & Children, May 1995, 31 - 32)
A dozen activities on Great Basin ecology and management, covering effects of salt on plants, water conservation and evaporation rates.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/the_big_empty/classroom.html
 
Environmental Technology is an Ancient Science
( Based on Science & Children article, May 1993 pp. 21 - 28)
Explains ancient methods of adapting to dry climates employed by a thriving agricultural community along the Rio Ojo Caliente in New Mexico 500 years ago. Includes poster and classroom activities.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/hupobi/index.html
 
The Big Empty: The Great Basin Ecosystem
( Science & Children, May 1995, 25 - 32)
Explores diverse ecology of Great Basin, and ecosystem management approach for desert environment. Includes activities and poster.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/the_big_empty/index.html
 
Join the Club
(Science & Children, March 1997, p. 35)
Students join one of four "clubs" representing different adaptation methods used by desert plants and research plant members of the club.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/classroom.html
 
Keeping Cool
(Classroom Activity from Science & Children, Feb 2001 poster back)
In this activity, students test the effectiveness of various ways animals keep cool in desert environments.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/mojaveposterback2.html - Anchor-3936
 
Life in the Desert
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1999, p. 39)
In this activity, students practice water conservation techniques similar to those a desert animal might employ to cope with scarce and unpredictable water sources.
http://www.blm.gov/education/colplateau/classroom/ - Life%20in%20the%20Desert
 
Mapping Deserts
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, Feb. 2001, p. 33)
In this activity, students research, map and report on the world's deserts, including subtropical, coastal, interior, and rain shadow deserts. Correlated to National Geography Standard.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mystery_of_the_mesa/classroom.html
 
Planning a Conservation Community
( Science & Children, March 1997, 35)
Students create a desert community that protects important desert resources; a set of questions guides their design.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/classroom.html
 
The Mojave Desert: A Place in the Sun
(Based on Science & Children article, February 2001)
Examines the rich, complex and fragile ecosystem of the Mojave Desert. Focuses on the plants and animals and the diversity of life and habitats contained.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/index.html
 
The Question in Brookdale
( Science & Children, March 1997, posterback)
By role-playing, students learn the complexities of accommodating competing demands of desert land use while protecting resources.
...and on the same webpage:
Waxy Leaves
(Science & Children, March 1997, posterback)
Activity illustrates how waxy leaves prevent water from escaping and help desert plants retain moisture.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/posterback.html
 
Planning a Conservation Community
( Science & Children, March 1997, 35)
Students create a desert community that protects important desert resources; a set of questions guides their design.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/classroom.html
 
Wildlife
Life in a Pothole
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1999, p. 39)
Students are introduced to potholes and life within them. They speculate how various life forms come to populate potholes and create a classroom pothole to study.
...and on the same web page:
Life in the Desert
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1999, p. 39)
In this activity, students practice water conservation techniques similar to those a desert animal might employ to cope with scarce and unpredictable water sources.
http://www.blm.gov/education/colplateau/classroom/
 
Who Lives Here?
( Science & Children, March 1997, p. 35)
Students study habitat depletion, research their community and compare the land today to the land during early
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/classroom.html
 
Create a Habitat
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1998, p. 40)
Students design a home for an animal after determining the elements it needs for survival.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/Columbia_river_basin/classroom.html
 
Living in the Rain Shadow
( 1997 BLM Environmental Education feature.)
Describes 3-day Sand Canyon Environmental Education Program (SEEP) where fifth graders visit a riparian area in California's Mojave desert and learn about the region's history. For more information, contact BLM field office,
 
Rangeland Management: Water/Livestock Grazing/Vegetation/Soils
Riparian Activity
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1999, p. 39)
Students compare the water retention capabilities of both meandering and channelized streams through simulations in the classrooms.
http://www.blm.gov/education/colplateau/classroom/index.html - Riparian%20Activity
 
Living in the Rain Shadow
( 1997 BLM Environmental Education feature)
Describes 3-day Sand Canyon Environmental Education Program (SEEP) where fifth graders visit a riparian area in California's Mojave desert and learn about the region's history. For more information, contact BLM field office,
 
Stop the Flow!
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2000
In this activity students simulate protected and unprotected streamsides and compare their impact on aquatic systems.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/green_mansions/classroom.html
 
Please Pass the Wheatgrass
( Posterback activity from Science & Children)
In this activity students demonstrate importance of monitoring populations, food, and water on the range.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/wild_bunch/wildbunch7a.html
 
Concentrate and Find the Weeds
(BLM Environmental Education Feature)
Interactive game in which students match pictures of weeds to reveal an important message; includes links to more information about invasive species.
http://www.blm.gov/education/LearningLandscapes/menu/news9.html
 
What's Wrong With This Picture?
( Information and classroom activities)
Information about weeds with classroom activities.
http://www.blm.gov/education/weed/weed.html
 
Native or Not?
( Science & Children, May 1995, posterback)
Students explore local plant communities, collect plants, research their history, and determine if they are native or introduced.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/the_big_empty/posterback.html-Native
 
The Weeds Hall of Shame
( Weed information sheets)
A series of "Weeds Wanted" information sheets with photographs.
http://www.blm.gov/education/weeds/hall_of_shame.html
 
Weed Invaders
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, February 2000 p. 33 - 34)
Students set up plant competitions in the classroom to illustrate how weeds can threaten native plants.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/mojave02a.html - Anchor-30184
 
Silent Invaders
( Interactive website)
Website on invasive plants and animals; includes field guide, interactive game, videos with background information, and educator's guide. Requires high speed internet and Quicktime version 5.
http://www.fsu.edu/~imsp/silent_invaders/new_weeds/main_html/
 
Just for Kids: Soil Biological Communities
(BLM national w ebsite)
Website for children on soils--the life forms found in them and their importance.
http://www.blm.gov/nstc/soil/Kids/
 
Soil Biological Communities
(BLM national w ebsite)
Description of the variety of life forms found in soils of rangeland ecosystems.
http://www.blm.gov/nstc/soil/index.html
 
Mixing it Up
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, Feb 2001 poster back)
In this activity students examine the composition of soil and make their own soil mixtures to understand the process of soil formation and how soils contribute to plant growth.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/mojaveposterback2.html  
Fire
Fire's Role in Ecosystems: A Hot Topic
(BLM Environmental Education Electronic Field Trip, October 2005)
Web-based interactive program on the role of wildland fire in ecosystems. Includes an "ask the experts" segment with BLM fire specialsts answering student questions.
http://www.efieldtrips.org/fire
 
Burning Issues
( Interactive CD-ROM)
Users learn about fire in four different ecosystems and practice their skills in building a firewise house; includes sample activity and ordering information.
http://www.fsu.edu/~imsp/burn_issue2_06/newsplash.htm
 
Wildland Fire Primer
( Teacher guide)
Guide for teachers outlining key concepts related to wildland fire education.
http://www.blm.gov/education/LearningLandscapes/teachers/fire_primer.pdf
 
Energy

Get Energized
(BLM environmental education program requires Macromedia Flash plug-in)
Explore energy consumption, production, and use, new energy technologies, energy conservation and energy challenges.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/flash/energized/index.html

A Teacher's Guide to ENERGY on Public Lands
(BLM environmental education program)
Learn about energy resources on public lands, both renewable and non-renewable.
http://www.blm.gov/education/LearningLandscapes.data/Components/downloads/EnergyOnPublicLandsWeb.pdf

How's Your Energy IQ?
( BLM Environmental Education Feature)
Interactive quiz on sources of energy, where they come from, and how we, as Americans, use them.
http://www.blm.gov/education/LearningLandscapes/menu/news7.html

Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, March 1998, p. 40)
In these two activities, students distinguish between energy sources that are renewable and those that are nonrenewable, and discuss costs and benefits of each type.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/Columbia_river_basin/classroom.html
 
An Energy Budget
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2002)
In this activity, students consider ways in which they can personally reduce energy consumption.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/energy/energy7.html
 
An Energy Profile
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2002)
In this activity, students examine how energy is produced and consumed in their home, their community, or their state.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/energy/energy5.html
 
Energy Conservation and Transformation
( Classroom Activities from Science & Children, November/December 1995 p. 38 - 40)
Students study different types of train engines and analyze differences in energy efficiency. They create an energy flow diagram for different locomotives.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/steel_rails_and_iron_horses/classroom.html#energy
 
Energy for the Future
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2002)
In this activity, students explore how a fictional community will meet its future energy needs.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/energy/energy6.html
 
Energy Resources/Wind Energy
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, September 1996 p. 47-48)
Students research and report on various energy resources. They then construct anemometers to collect data needed in planning a wind farm.
http://www.blm.gov/education/high_plains/classroom.html#energy
 
Energy: Fuel for Thought
( Science & Children, May 2002)
Outlines energy resources currently in use and explores resources that may power our future, with a focus on public land resources; includes poster and classroom activities.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/energy/index.html
 
Blowin' in the Wind
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2002)
In this activity, students make pinwheels and use the power of the wind to do work.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/energy/energy11.html
 
Full Steam Ahead: How to Build a Steam Engine
( Classroom Activities from Science & Children, November/December 1995 Poster back)
Students build a steam generator system to power a single piston engine in this four-part exercise.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/steel_rails_and_iron_horses/posterback.html
 
It's a Gas!
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2002)
Demonstration of how the decay of organic materials can produce biogas (methane).
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/energy/energy8.html
 
Let the Sun Shine In
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2002)
In this activity, students make solar collectors and experiment to see which ones heat water most effectively.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/energy/energy9.html
 
WaterWorks
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2002)
In this activity, students make their own waterwheels.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/energy/energy10.html

Mining
A Golden Opportunity for Science
( Science & Children, Feb. 1993)
Gold and silver mining and gold's history, allure, and unique physical and chemical qualities explored, includes classroom activities and poster.
http://www.blm.gov/education/going_4_the_gold/gold_poster.html
 
Climate Change
 
How's the Weather In There?
(Classroom Activities from Science & Children, October 1993)
Students construct a simple greenhouse to study the  greenhouse effect.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mystery_of_the_mesa/classroom.html
 
Map Relief
( Classroom Activities from Science & Children, October 1993 p. 38)
Students create a relief map of the United States and simulate what happens when ice caps melt.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mystery_of_the_mesa/classroom.html
 
Wild Horses & Burros
A Problem of Numbers
( Classroom activity from Science & Children)
In this activity students investigate growth in population of wild horses and burros and consider factors that might reduce that growth.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/wild_bunch/wildbunch3.html
 
Demands on the Land
( Posterback activity from Science & Children)
In this role-playing activity students research and debate viewpoints of different groups regarding removal of wild horses from the range.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/wild_bunch/wildbunch7a.html
 
The Wild Bunch
( Based on Science & Children article)
Examines the history and distribution of wild horses and burros in the American West; discusses management issues and includes poster and classroom activities.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/wild_bunch/
 
BLM California Environmental Education Programs & Centers
 
California's Eastern Sierra Institute
( 1998 BLM Environmental Education feature)
Describes partnership program to introduce Los Angeles high school students and science teachers to the ecology of eastern California.
http://www.blm.gov/education/feature/1998/ca/feature.html
 
Desert Discovery Center
( Education Center Homepage)
Describes education center in Barstow, CA, that offers formal and informal programs on natural, cultural, and historic resources of the Mojave Desert.
http://www.discoverytrails.org/welcome1.html
 
Miscellaneous
Resource Explorer Jim Goodbar
(BLM natgional website)
BLM cave specialist shares adventures and knowledge from New Mexico's Endless Cave.
http://www.blm.gov/education/expert/3/index.html
 
What Is Wood?
( Classroom Activity from Science & Children, May 2000)
In this activity students list products made from wood.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/green_mansions/classroom.html
 
Other Federal Programs and Non-Governmental Resources
  EarthDay.gov
An Internet portal for U.S. Government and federal agencies’ Earth Day activities, events and information.
 
Celebrating Earth Week: It’s Elemental
A collection of ideas, activities and resources for exploring and celebrating our connections to the earth during Earth Week.
http://www.greenteacher.com/articles/earthweek.html
 
The Greenhouse Effect in A Jar
This simple experiment serves as an introduction to the greenhouse effect. Students can see for themselves the effects of a greenhouse, and relate this understanding to what occurs in our atmosphere.
 
Environmental Law
At the conclusion of a unit on the environment, students discuss the ramifications of ecological neglect and abuse. Focusing on air and water pollution, endangered species, and littering, they generate the negative impact of these and develop rules (laws) and penalties for polluters. 
 

   
Last updated: 12-18-2007