Students
Teacher Resources and Lesson Plans
Find an array of environmental and science based lesson plans, activities and ideas below.
EPA Resources |
External Resources |
Some of the sites listed on this page are not on the EPA Web site. Please see our disclaimer information 
EPA Resources
Air Quality Index
Grades: k-5
AIRNOW
Get up-to-the-minute information about air pollution in your community. Includes maps, forecasts, and information about the health effects of air pollution.
Grades: 9-12
Subtopic: air quality
Project AIRE
These activities help instuctors focus the attention of elementary, junior high, and high school students on indoor and ambient air pollution issues.
Grades: 9-12
Subtopic: indoor air
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools
This site provides information on indoor air quality in school buildings and how to order the Tools for Schools Action Kit. The kit shows how to carry out a practical plan of action to improve indoor air quality at little or no cost using common-sense activities and in-house staff.
Grades: k-12
Subtopic: indoor air
Learning About Acid Rain: A teacher's guide for grades 6 through 8" (56 pp, 4.6 MB, about PDF)
Lesson plans and activities for teachers on acid rain.
Grades: 6-8
Mixing Ratios or Parts per Million, Billion
This serial dilution activity will help middle school or high school students understand the concepts of parts per million and parts per billion. There's also a student guide.
Grades: all
Noise Pollution for Kids
This fun booklet will teach you how to identify which sounds are loud and ways to protect your hearing and health.
Grades: 6-8
Ozone Depletion
Find links to articles that give overviews of ozone depletion, shorter pieces that focus on specific aspects of ozone depletion, international organizations that issue regular updates, as well as images and animations of ozone levels and ozone depletion.
Grades: 9-12
Ozone: Good Up High, Bad Nearby
Ozone acts as a protective layer high above the Earth, but it can be harmful to breathe. This publication provides basic information about ground-level and high-altitude ozone.
Grades:6-8, 9-12
Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act
A brief introduction to the 1990 version of the Clean Air Act, to help you understand what is in the law and how it may affect you.
Grades: 9-12
RadTown USA
RadTown USA is a virtual community that aims to educate students about the sources of radiation in our daily lives.
Grades: 9-12
Subtopic: radiation
Why is Coco orange?
Coco has a problem. He is a chameleon, but he cannot change colors, and his asthma is acting up. Read how Coco and his friends at Lizard Lick Elementary solve this mystery as they learn about air quality and how to stay healthy when the air quality is bad.
Grades: k-8
Subtopic: indoor air
Teachers Air Quality Resources
Your one stop shop for EPA indoor air quality resources for teachers.
Grades: k-12
A Student's Guide to Global Climate Change
Learn the basics, see the impacts and think like a scientist.
Grades: 6-8, 9-12
Climate Change
Detailed information about climate change concepts and developments: what it is, what it can do, and what's being done about it. Access the Greenwire news service for Climate Change news and the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
Grades: 6-8, 9-12
America's Wetlands
This site will give you a better understanding of the rich variety of wetlands, their importance, how they are threatened, and what can be done to conserve them for future generations.
Grades: 9-12
Coral Reef Protection
This site explores why coral reefs are important and what is being done to protect them.
Grades: 6-12
Estuaries
What is an estuary? Why are estuaries important? Why protect estuaries? Find out this and more at this site.
Grades: 9-12
Examining the Effects of Pollution on Ecosystems
Students recognize that hazardous waste may have far-reaching impacts on ecosystems and these impacts are not always easy to identify.
Grades: 9-12
Subtopic: pollution
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Exploring Estuaries
What are estuaries? Why are they important? This site provides introductory information for students of various ages and background information for teachers. Includes links and a glossary.
Grades: 6-12
Locate Your Watershed
Grades: 9-12, adult
Save Our Species: Endangered Species Coloring Book
Endangered Species Coloring Book
Grades: k-5
Stream Corridor Project
Provides an explanation of the structure of streams and their role in the environment. Also discusses stream restoration.
Grades: 9-12
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.
Grades: k-12
World in Our Backyard
This guide is a resource of information and activities about wetlands, including ways to study wetland characteristics, why wetlands are important, and how students and teachers can help protect a local wetland.
Grades: 9-12
Energy Star Kids
You can use energy wisely and be an energy star! Find out ways to be smarter about what energy you use and how to use it.
Grades: k-8
Fuel Economy and Environment Labels: High School (7 pp, 428K, about PDF)
This activity lets students learn about fuel economy and environment labels and calculate the cost and emissions associated with cars. Students will understand the concept of fuel economy and compare and contrast various fuel types.
Grades: 9-12
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Fuel Economy and Environment Labels: Middle School (7 pp, 381K, about PDF)
This activity lets students learn about fuel economy and environment labels and calculate the cost and emissions associated with cars. Students will understand the concept of fuel economy and compare and contrast various fuel types.
Grades: 5-8
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Asthma
Asthma and upper respiratory illnesses information from EPA's Office of Children's Health Protection.
Grades: adult
Chemical Safety Resource for Middle School Teachers
(5 pp, 220K, about PDF)
In this lesson students will participate in a chemical survey activity regarding the household chemicals and cleaners used in and around their house. They will conduct a simple survey with parental supervision and answer questions about how many and what kind of chemicals they found. Students will also brainstorm on how chemical safety can prevent pollution at home.
Grades: 5-8
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Children's Health Protection
In-depth information from EPA's Office of Children's Health Protection about protecting kids from all sorts of environmental hazards.
Grades: adult
A Citizens Guide to Radon
The complete guide to taking action to lower the radon level in your home. It offers strategies for testing and discussions of what steps to take after you have tested, discussions of the risk of radon and radon myths.
Grades: adult
Subtopic: indoor air
Health Effects of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke can cause health problems in children and adults. Read about the risks of environmental tobacco smoke and find links to research studies about the issue.
Grades: 9-12, adult
Help! It's a Roach!
Is your family bugged by roaches? You're not alone. Although people may think roaches like dirty places, even the cleanest homes can have them.
Grades: k-5
Hold the Mold
(6 pp, 306K, about PDF)
In this lesson, students will learn about the different kinds of mold and how it grows.
They will conduct an experiment to grow and observe the growth of different kinds of food molds
and understand the health effects of mold and how to recognize and prevent mold growth.
Grades: 5-8
Type of Resource: Lesson Plan
Lead Blockers
(6 pp, 272K, about PDF)
In this lesson students will learn about the health effects of lead and through a game of tag. Students will model the process of certain nutrients that can block lead absorption. As part of the activity, students will brainstorm on ways to prevent lead exposure at home.
Grades: K-8
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Lead in Paint, Dust and Soil
Find information from the National Lead Information Center and pamphlets featuring general information about lead hazards and lead poisoning prevention in the home.
Grades: 9-12
Learn About Chemicals Around Your House
What do you know about the many household products used around your home? Join a house tour to learn more about the chemicals around your home.
Grades: k-5
Mercury
Information about mercury, its health effects, studies, and what you can do. Find videos and resources for educators, as well as student activities.
Grades: 9-12
Mercury Bioaccumulation Tag
(4 pp, 317K, about PDF)
This activity lets students model the processes of bioaccumulation and biomagnification of mercury in an aquatic food chain. Students will understand the health effects of mercury and demonstrate an understanding of how mercury can be present in fish.
Grades: 5-8
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Sunwise Schools Program
SunWise Partner Schools sponsor classroom and school-wide activities that raise children's awareness of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and simple sun safety practices. For grades K-8. The SunWise Toolkit is free to registered schools.
Grades: k-8
The Ultraviolet Index
Several publications explaining the Ultraviolet Index and steps you can take to minimize the risks from overexposure to the sun's rays. Each is available for reading online and downloading.
Grades: 9-12
Water on Tap: What You Need to Know
Where does your drinking water come from? How is it treated? How do you protect it? This is the place to get the answers to these and other drinking-water questions.
Grades: 9-12
Basic Information about Waste
Grades: 9-12, adult
Consumer's Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste
This site describes how people can help solve a growing problem...garbage!
Grades: adult
Hazardous Waste: Superfund
A collection of activities to assist in teaching about hazardous waste, environmental issues surrounding site cleanup, and the Federal government's Superfund program.
Grades: 6-12
Pollution Prevention Toolbox
The toolbox contains a series of four-page lesson plans on various pollution prevention concepts for schools.
Grades: 6-8
The Quest for Less: Activities and resources for teaching K-8
Use this resource to develop lesson plans, incorporate a range of activities into various subject areas throughout the school year.
Grades: k-8
Subtopic: waste
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Resources for Waste Education
These online activities make learning about recycling fun! Students will love the colorful graphics and educational activities.
Grades: 6-8
Science Fair Fun: Designing Environmental Science Projects (PDF) (16 pp, 245K About PDF ) (EPA 530-K-00-008) Resource booklet designed to generate ideas for students and teachers interested in solid waste science fair projects
Grades: 6-8
Science Fair Fun: Designing Environmental Science Projects en Español (PDF) (16 pp, 223K About PDF )
Resource booklet designed to generate ideas for students and teachers interested in solid waste science fair projects.
Grades: 6-8
Superfund: About Superfund
This page provides an overview of the Superfund program, highlights key steps in the Superfund cleanup process, explains how the program is enforced, describes EPA's Superfund offices, and links to other EPA hazardous-waste programs.
Grades: 9-12, adult
Superfund: Classroom Activities
This site has resources to help teachers and educate students about the Superfund Program. It includes several activities, environmental cleanup videos, and a participatory program in which classrooms collect weather data for EPA.
Grades: k-12
Tools to Reduce Waste in Schools
EPA's Tools to Reduce Waste in Schools helps your school and school district reduce the amount of waste you generate. You'll learn how to start a waste reduction program or expand an existing one. The guide will show you how your program can benefit your school, your community, and the environment by reducing, reusing, and recycling your waste.
Grades: 9-12
Waste publications by topic - Educational Resources
Grades: k-12
Where Can I Take My Computer?
Web sites and organizations that can provide information on opportunities for donating and recycling computers and other electronics.
Grades: 9-12, adult
Subtopic: waste
Acid Rain Educational Resources
Experiments and activities, basic acid rain concepts, and things you can do about acid rain.
Grades: k-12
Beach Kids
Whether you live near a beach or not, visit this site to learn neat things about beaches and play games.
Grades: k-8
Subtopic: water
Build Your Own Aquifer
To illustrate how water is stored in an aquifer and how groundwater can become contaminated.
Grades: 4-5
Subtopic: water
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Clean Water Act
A historical overview of the Clean Water Act, the primary Federal law that protects our nation's waters, including lakes, rivers, aquifers, and coastal areas.
Grades: 9-12, adult
Darby Duck and the Aquatic Crusaders
Grades: k-5
Subtopic: water
Down the Drain
How much water do you use every day in your home? Introduces students to the topic of water use, and to data gathering and analysis. From the Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE).
Grades: k-5
Drinking Water & Ground Water Kids' Stuff
Games, activities, art projects, water cycle, water treatment.
Grades: all
Effects of Acid Rain
Fact sheets answering what is acid rain, what are its causes, and what are its effects on our planet.
Grades: 6-12
Ground Water Contamination
Learn about all about what groundwater contamination is and where it occurs.
Grades: 9-12
How People Get Their Water - Reservoirs: "Holding Tanks" for Drinking Water
Let your students "Ride the Water Cycle" with the following activity. It will help them understand the role of reservoirs in maintaining a reliable supply of drinking water.
Grades: 4-8
Subtopic: water
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Magnificent Ground Water Connection
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.
Grades: k-12
On Your Mark, Set, Evaporate
Explain the hydrologic cycle.
Grades: 6-8
Subtopic: water
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Thirstin Builds an Aquifer in a Cup (Aquifer on the Go)
To illustrate how water is stored in an aquifer, how ground water can become contaminated, and how this contamination ends up in a drinking water well. Ultimately, students should get a clear understanding of how careless use and disposal of harmful contaminants above the ground can potentially end up in the drinking water below the ground. This particular experiment can be done by each student at their work station.
Grades: k-3
Subtopic: water
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Thirstin's Groundwater Movement Activity
This class activity demonstrates that ground water must be able to move through underground materials. The students will act as molecules of water and the underground materials.
Grades: k-5
Subtopic: water
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Tracking Pollution - A Hazardous Whodunit
You will make a topographic map, use it to predict ground water flow and investigate the most likely source of ground water contamination.
Grades: 9-12
Subtopic: water
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Water Sense
Be a "Leak Detective"! Find educator resources for Fix a Leak Week and A Day in the Life of a Drop. Find out how much water you use at home and how to detect leaks as well as how much water you and your family use.
Grades: k-8
Water Sourcebooks
The Water Sourcebooks explain the water management cycle showing how it affects all aspects of the environment. 324 activities for grades K-12 are divided into four sections: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
Grades: k-12
What's Up with Our Nation's Waters
Grades: 6-8
External Resources
Some of the sites listed on this page are not on the EPA Web site. Please see our disclaimer information
Air Defenders - the Quest for Clean Air
Learn how burning garbage in the open air causes pollution and health problems. This site is aimed at students 10 and up. It presents alternatives to open burning (recycle, trash dump, reuse, compost). Students earn their Air Defender badge while pursuing their quest to clean the air and protect community health.
Grades: 6-8
Air Pollution, What's the Solution
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
American Lung Association State of the Air report
Want to learn about the air quality in your community? Read the American Lung Association's 'State of the Air' reports to find out more.
Grades: 9-12, adult
CLEAN AIR DETECTIVE: Investigating Air Pollution
In this lesson students will participate in a scientific inquiry activity regarding the air they breathe inside and around their house. They will plan and conduct a simple investigation to gather information on air quality. Students will also help to reduce air pollution by shutting off lights, toys, machines and appliances and by reducing their travel in cars.
Grades: k-5
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Cool School Challenge
The Cool School Challenge engages students and teachers in practical strategies to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions school-wide.
Grades: 3-12
Count Down Your Carbon
See how your choices can help stop climate change, track your individual reductions as well as the collective effort. Learn about simple actions that have real carbon reductions associated with them.
Grades: 9-12
Forces of Change Resources for Teachers
The activities explore the importance of our atmosphere, its functions and chemistry, and how scientists are tracking changes in the atmosphere - changes that impact all life on the planet.
Grades: 6-12
Subtopic: atmosphere
Type of resource: Lesson Plans/Activities
The Greens
The Greens is full of fun interactive ways to get active on topics from green fashion to recycling using blogs and mini episodes staring characters you can relate to.
Grades: 6-12
In the Air curriculum
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funded the Missouri Botanical Garden's EarthWays Center to design and develop a full spectrum of environmental education materials ao airborne toxics issues in their communities. The goal is to increase knowledge about air pollution and to make connections between behaviors and air quality. Five modules are available (K-3, 3-6, 6-8, 9-12 and adult).
Grades: k-12, adult
Type of resource: Lesson Plans/Activities
NASA's Climate Kids website
Geared toward students, the multimedia-rich Climate Kids site uses games, humorous illustrations and animations to help break down the important issue of climate change.
Grades: k-12
NOAA's Education Resources website
Explore this site to find the information you need to teach students about weather, climate change, and oceans. You'll find activities, background information, and much more!
Grades: 6-12
Science with NOAA Research: Teacher Information
Online science lessons for students and teachers. Covers earth systems that have to do with the oceans and lakes: storms, El Nino, the atmosphere, fisheries.
Grades: 9-12
Climate Change Education.org
Grades: k-12
Climate Change, Wildlife, and Wildlands Toolkit - A Toolkit for formal and informal educators
EPA, in partnership with the National Park Service and with input from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, developed a kit for use when talking with the public about how climate change is affecting our nation's wildlife and public lands.
Grades: all
Climate Classroom
What's up with global warming? National Wildlife Federation's ClimateClassroom.org offers realistic suggestions for becoming part of the global-warming solution.
Grades: k-12
Global Warming Facts and Our Future - Koshland Science Museum
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.
Grades: 6-12
Global Warming Kids
Creative cartoons about global warming. Geared towards K-4th grades.
Grades: k-5
Action Bioscience
Learn about current topics in bioscience through this wide range of articles by scientists, science educators, and science students. Site also provides original lessons and resources to enhance bioscience teaching.
Grades: 9-12
Adventures of the Agronauts
A science curriculum with a space biology theme for elementary grade level students.
Grades: k-5
Adopt A Tree
Discover different kinds of trees through the senses.
Grades: k-5
Subtopic: ecosystems
Type of resource: Lesson Plans
ARKive
ARKive's mission is to promote a greater understanding of global biodiversity, and the conservation of the world's most threatened species, using the power of wildlife imagery.
Grades: k-12
Audubon Nature Activities
Connect with nature with these fun crafts!
Grades: k-12
Bird Populations
Students learn how scientists discern patterns and changes in bird populations though the study of bird migratory patterns.
Grades: 6-8
Subtopic: atmosphere
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Bug and Planet Natural Science Lessons for Teachers
K-12 Integrated Pest Management Education presented by subject and by grade level.
Grades: k-12
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Discovery Education
Foster an appreciation of the environment and an interest in the green space in your community with Discovery Education's classroom resources designed for students in grades K-5.
Dive and Discover Expedition to the Seafloor
Immerse yourself in the excitement of discovery and exploration of the deep seafloor. Dive and Discover brings you right on board a series of research cruises around the globe, and gives you access to the latest oceanographic and deep submergence research as it happens!
Grades: 9-12
Ducks Unlimited for Educators
Teacher guide and curriculum for teaching about wetlands. A wide variety of activities geared to particular age groups.
Grades: all
Subtopic: water
EducaPoles
EducaPoles is the International Polar Foundation's educational site. It sets out to sensitize young people and the educational world to the importance of the Polar Regions and of climate change by proposing adapted teaching tools and projects.
Grades: all
NIEHS Science Education Resources
This website focuses on environmental health studies and provides lesson plans, booklets and factsheets.
Grades: all
Everglades National Park for Teachers
Are you interested in teaching your students about the Florida Everglades? Check out this site to find activities and background information that will help you tell the story of this fascinating natural ecosystem. Even if you don't live near the Everglades, you will find valuable information that can be applied to many ecosystems throughout the country.
Grades: all
Forests: Lesson Plan Overview
Students learn about the forest ecosystems.
Grades: k-5
Subtopic: ecosystem
Type of resource: Activities
Age group: Grades K-5
The Fragile Fringe - Coastal Wetlands Teaching Guide
A guide for teaching about coastal wetlands.
Grades: k-8
The Global Water Sampling Project
Collaborative project that allows the participant to compare water quality of local water streams, lakes, etc. with other fresh water sources around the world.
Grades: 9-12
Great Backyard Bird Count
The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes. It's free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.
Grades: k-12
How to talk with kids about the oil spill
A guide for parents and teachers when talking with kids about the Gulf oil spill. This has various other teaching tools and activities for kids.
Grades: k-8
Flying Wild - Gulf Spill Educator Resources
A list of educator resources about the gulf oil spill.
Grades: 6-8
How would an oil spill affect a marine sanctuary?
Students engage in a mock town meeting to determine how to clean up an oil spill in Monterray Bay. The factors involved in the discussions can be applied to oil spills in most other marine environments.
Grades: 6-8
If Trees Could Talk
This 8-module, middle school curriculum gives teachers the opportunity to download social studies activities. 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.
Grades: 6-8
Interactive Green Swamp
Learn all about wetlands in this wonderful virtual tour of Florida's Green Swamp!
Grades: 9-12
Invasive Species: Coming to an Environment Near You
This lesson plan introduces students to invasive species and their effects on ecosystems by examining local examples. It also explores the problems associated with invasive species and possible solutions to the problem.
Grades: 6-8
Type of resource: Activities
Journey North
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.
Grades: 6-12
National Audubon Society Educator's Lounge
Help your students develop an understanding of the natural world. You can start indoors or go outside. This site can help you and your students learn more about the natural world.
Grades: k-12
National Estuarine Research Reserve System K-12 Educator Resources
Estuaries, where rivers met the sea, are facinating ecosystems. Find out about what makes estuaries special, the threats to estuarine ecosystems and explore estuaries around the U.S.
Grades: 9-12
National Geographic: Niger River Delta Lesson Plan
This National Geographic lesson plan for middle school students explores the Niger River Delta ecosystem and how human actions impact the physical environment.
Grades: 6-12
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
National Wetlands Research Center
This site from the U.S. Geolocic Survey explores the many factors that affect wetland health, and provides resources for teachers on preserving our wetlands.
Grades: 9-12
National Wildlife Federation Oil Spill and Wetlands Education Grades 6-8
www.nwrc.usgs.gov
Lesson plan for middle school students about effects of oil spills and ways to clean it up.
National Park Service
Resources and professional development for teachers covering natural resource topics such as biology, geology, air, and water.
Grades: 6-12
Nature Net
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.
Grades: 6-12
NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources
Learn what this office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is doing to protect marine mammals and endangered species.
Grades: 6-8
Ocean Science Teacher Resource Center
This site links by topic to a large collection of environmental web sites which contain lesson plans and class activities.
Grades: 9-12
PBS American Field Guide
Immerse yourself in the great outdoors without ever leaving your desk. Over 1400 video clips that enable you to experience America's wilderness. Video clips and other visual resources about science for use by teachers and students.
Grades: 6-12
Pollinator Live
While pollinators may come in small sizes, they play a large and often undervalued role in the production of the food we eat, the health of flowering plants, and the future of wildlife. This site provides a series of live interactive webcasts, web seminar.
Grades: all
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Prairie Information from Fermilab
Web sites about prairies, sources of seeds and restoration tips, general agricultural information and virtual weather.
Grades: 6-12
Project Learning Tree
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.
Grades: k-12
Rain Garden Projects
The Earth Partnership for Schools program developed a pilot rain garden curricular sampler for K-12 schools. Use these activities to build a rain garden on your school grounds with your students.
Rainforest Alliance Learning Site
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.
Grades: k-12
Resources To Learn More About Endangered Species
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.
Grades: all
Respect the Beach
The Surfrider Foundation offers information on preserving and conserving our beaches--sand, water and waves.
Grades: 9-12
Schoolyard Habitat
The Schoolyard Habitat program helps teachers and students create wildlife habitat on school grounds.
Grades: all
Science NetLinks
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).
Grades: all
Southwest Florida Water Management District Education Resources
Great virtual, interactive field trips that will help you to teach about wetlands and watersheds. Explore Florida's Green Swamp, Hillsborough River and Springs Coast Watershed. Includes lots of other neat resources too such as educational tabloids, teacher's guides, and comprehensive educational kits.
Grades: all
Southwest Florida Watershed Excursions
Learn all about watersheds in this awesome online excursion through the Hillsborough River watershed of southwest Florida.
Grades: all
Square of Life: Studies in Local and Global Environments
Elementary school curriculum that allows classes to compare their inventory of a 1 meter outdoor square in their school yard with another class across the country or the globe. Registration to participate is twice a year in spring and fall. Site contains lesson plans, activity instructions, reference materials, discussion area, standards comparison and a help contact.
Grades: k-6
TEACH: Environment
Why do water levels change in the Great Lakes? What fish do people catch there, and what's threatening one of the world's largest freshwater fisheries? Learn about the environment of the Great Lakes region and the environmental issues there, including water quality, airborne toxics, invasive species and sustainable development.
Grades: k-12
Toxic and Algal Blooms
Interactive information about how toxins can pose risks to the human body.
Grades: k-12
TurfMutt
Meet TurfMutt, the caped crusader, who’s out to save the planet, one yard at a time. He’s out to support your love of the outdoors and provide tips on how to care for your green space in a responsible, earth-friendly way. Find lesson plans, activities, games and more.
Grades K-5.
Wildlife Fact Sheets
From the Fish and Wildlife Service, basic information about species of regular public interest. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the fact sheets.
Grades: 9-12
Wyland Ocean Challenge
Learn all about marine ecosystems through free activities that support National Science and Art Standards.
Grades: k-5
Earth Echo Educator Resources
Lesson plans, viedeos and other materials on natural resources.
Energy Information And Science Fair Projects
Want to learn about energy or do a science fair project on energy? This is a site that will give you the info, project ideas and throw in some fun things as well.
Energy Kids Home Page
Energy facts, history, games, activities, experiments and an energy calculator for kids who are interested in saving energy.
Grades: 6-8
FT Exploring Science and Technology
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.
Grades: 6-12
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
NESEA's K-12 Education Department offers several educational materials including curriculum guides, hands-on activities, and other resources about energy.
Grades: k-12
Asthma Funbook
Download a funbook with games that teach your child about asthma and triggers. This is a site funded by EPA's Asthma program.
Grades: k-5
Become an IPM Super Sleuth
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.
Grades: k-8
Chemicals, The Environment, and You - What is the Risk?
Students apply their understanding of the concepts of toxicology to their discussion of the 1950s tragedy in Minamata, Japan. They learn how to assess the risk of people to specific chemical hazards and make decisions about how to manage that risk.
Grades: 6-8
Type of resource: Lesson Plan
Elementary Urban IPM Curriulum
This site provides K-6 educators in formal and informal settings with background information, hands-on activities, worksheets and resources to help teachers engage the students in real-world scientific and interdiciplinary learning using Urban Intergrated Pest Management (IPM) tools.
Grades: k-6
EnviroHealth Connections
EnviroHealth Connections is a gateway to multi-media resources for middle and high school students and teachers. This project brings imagination into the classroom through interactive investigations, expert presentations, comprehensive lesson plans and more.
Grades: 6-12
Environmental Health Science Education
Portal site for students, teachers and scientists on environmental health information, activities, jobs, and developmental opportunities.
Grades: 6-12
The Environmental Literacy Council
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.
Grades: all
The Green Squad
The Green Squad teaches kids about the relationship between their schools and environmental and health issues. The site is designed primarily for students in fifth through eighth grade, but also offers information for younger and older students as well as parents and teachers.
Grades: k-12
National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)
Everything you ever wanted to know about pesticides in one easy location. This cooperative effort between EPA and Oregon State University provides information from EPA, state agencies, academia and Canada, including information for health care providers.
Grades: 9-12
The Adventures of Herman the Worm
A site for younger kids to learn about composting, worm bins and the biology of earthworms. What's on the menu at the Worm Deli? ¡En Español tambien!
Grades: k-5
Composting in Schools
A comprehensive guide for teachers interested in guiding students' research projects on composting. The book was selected by the National Science Teachers Association to be included in 'Recommends', a collection of the best science education books.
Grades: k-12
Earth 911 (Recycling)
Type in your ZIP code or find your State on a map to locate recycling centers in your community "for all types of recyclables." This site contains information you can use to teach middle school and high school students about waste prevention, recycling and other environmental issues.
Grades: 6-12
Trash Goes to School - Activities
A range of activities and projects for learning about solid waste and recycling. Covers reduction, recycling, composting, incineration, landfills and risk.
Grades: 9-12
Center for Global Environmental Education Watershed Action Plan
The Watershed Action Site offers one stop help in planning and organizing service-learning projects to prevent water pollution in your watershed. Within this site you can access everything from scientific background information or curricula to local experts or stencils for painting storm drain signs.
Grades: k-12
Discover Water
DiscoverWater.org is a self-directed educational resource comprised of eight units about different water topics—ranging from the global to the personal perspective—which together reflect many of the
complex and important roles of water in so many aspects of our lives. It is designed for use primarily by
students ages 7-12 and educators for this age group, both in- and outside the classroom.
Grades: 5-8
Drinking Water, Protecting the Source
The Drinking Water: Protecting the Source instructional materials were developed to assist teachers who seek to enhance the consciousness of their students about where their drinking water comes from, and how sources of drinking water can be protected.
Grades: 9-12
Type of Resource: Lesson Plan
The Groundwater Foundation Kids Corner
Pollution prevention is the most effective, cost efficient way to protect groundwater. Lots of classroom activities, games, coloring sheets.
Grades: 9-12, adult
H20 conserve
Use the Water Calculator to figure out how much water you use, how you use it and how you can use less.
Grades: 9-12, adult
Liquid Density and Oil Spills
Lesson plan on liquid density and oil spills for teachers of middle school students.
Grades: 6-8
Nab the Aquatic Invader
This interactive cartoon uses detective characharters to learn about invasive species -- different kinds, why they are harmful, how they affect economy and ecosystem.
Grades: 6-8
National Wetlands Research Center
This site from the U.S. Geolocic Survey explores the many factors that affect wetland health, and provides resources for teachers on preserving our wetlands.
Grades: 9-12
NOAA Education: Oceans and Coasts
Ocean and marine environment activity books you can print out and color or solve puzzles.
for kids
Grades: k-5
NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources
Learn what this office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is doing to protect marine mammals and endangered species.
Grades: 6-8
No Water Off a Duck’s Back
This sample activity, No Water Off a Ducks Back, from Project WILD, is about connecting people and wildlife. The activity helps students identify ways oil spills can adversely affect birds and describe possible negative consequences to wildlife, people and the environment.
Grades: 6-8
Ocean Science Teacher Resource Center
This resource provides teachers with a selection of online resources for marine science education.
Grades: 9-12
Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council
Before the Gulf oil spill there was an oil spill from a tanker in Alaska. Getting and using oil continues to be a process that can threaten the environment. These resources help teach students about oil spill issues regardless of the location of the spill.
Grades: all
Rain Garden Lesson Plan
This lesson introduces students to the concept of rain gardens and why they are beneficial in cleaning up polluted waterways. Students will learn how and why rain gardens are created and build a model rain garden.
Grades: 6-12
Type of Resource: Lesson Plan
Rain Garden Projects
The Earth Partnership for Schools program developed a pilot rain garden curricular sampler for K-12 schools. Use these activities to build a rain garden on your school grounds with your students.
Respect the Beach
The Surfrider Foundation offers information on preserving and conserving our beaches--sand, water and waves.
Grades: 9-12
Science with NOAA Research: Teacher Information
Online science lessons for students and teachers. Covers earth systems that have to do with the oceans and lakes: storms, El Nino, the atmosphere, fisheries.
Grades: 9-12
Southwest Florida Water Management District Education Resources
Great virtual, interactive field trips that will help you to teach about wetlands and watersheds. Explore Florida's Green Swamp, Hillsborough River and Springs Coast Watershed. Includes lots of other neat resources too such as educational tabloids, teacher's guides, and comprehensive educational kits.
Grades: 9-12
TEACH: Environment
Why do water levels change in the Great Lakes? What fish do people catch there, and what's threatening one of the world's largest freshwater fisheries? Learn about the environment of the Great Lakes region and the environmental issues there, including water quality, airborne toxics, invasive species and sustainable development.
Grades: k-12
The Water Cycle
See how the water cycle works with this animation.
Grades: 6-12
Water Planet Challenge
Learn about water efficiency through these interactive lessons.
Grades: 6-12
Water Planet Challenge
Learn about water quality through these interactive lessons.
Grades: 6-12
Water Science for Schools
This site provides extensive background information on a wide variety of water topics. It also includes on-line activities, data tables, maps, and a glossary of terms.
Grades: 6-12
Water Stewardship
Bring the environment into your classroom. Find K-12 lesson plans, presentations, educational games, videos, songs and more on the Michigan Water Stewardship website.
Grades: k-12
Water Use Calculator
See how much water is used and how to conserve water.
Grades: 6-8
World Water Monitoring Day
World Water Monitoring Day helps watershed leaders, educators and trained volunteers to educate students and citizens how the actions of individuals in a watershed can impact environmental quality and human health.
Grades: 9-12