Sofia came back from a trip around the world. She noticed how each animal she saw belonged to a certain habitat. Help her learn about animal habitats and the species that live there.
As students learn about the creation of biodomes, they are introduced to the steps of the engineering design process, including guidelines for brainstorming. Students learn how engineers are involved in the design and construction of biodomes and use brainstorming to come up with ideas for possible biodome designs. This lesson is part of a series of six lessons in which students use their growing understanding of various environments and the engineering design process, to design and create their own model biodome ecosystems.
Information and activities enhance student exploration of wildfire ecology and human interventions in Yellowstone National Park, and provide a background for land use management studies.
California's China Camp State Park is an important environmental and historic site which has a natural watershed along the shores of San Francisco Bay. Features in the estuary include an extensive intertidal salt marsh, meadow, and oak habitat. [4:55]
Follow this group of students through their scavenger hunt in the estuary. Take a look at the living and nonliving things that make this ecosystem a special place. [9:38]
Produced by the Association of National Estuary Programs as a fun explanation of what estuaries are and why they are important. [7:23]
Every forty-eight years, a species of bamboo in India produces its seeds en masse, causing a major disruption in the ecosystem, which preciptates a mass influx of rats. This video explores this phenomenon and the repercussions. A teacher guide and student interactive accompany the video. The video is only viewable in the United States. [52:46]
Through an overview of the components of the hydrologic cycle and the important roles they play in the design of engineered systems, students' awareness of the world's limited fresh water resources is heightened. The hydrologic cycle affects everyone and is the single most critical component to life on Earth. Students examine in detail the water cycle components and phase transitions, and then learn how water moves through the human-made urban environment. This urban "stormwater" water cycle is influenced by the pervasive existence of impervious surfaces that limit the amount of infiltration, resulting in high levels of stormwater runoff, limited groundwater replenishment and reduced groundwater flow. Students show their understanding of the process by writing a description of the path of a water droplet through the urban water cycle, from the droplet's point of view. The lesson lays the groundwork for rest of the unit, so students can begin to think about what they might do to modify the urban "stormwater" water cycle so that it functions more like the natural water cycle. A PowerPoint® presentation and handout are provided.
These wonderful virtual field trips allow students to explore a coastal rain forest or the coral reefs in the Dominican Republic, and so much more.
How would you define an ecosystem? Check out this educational resource to learn more about the living and nonliving parts of different ecosystems.
What is a lake? Discover the answer to this question when you explore this informative resource. This site provides information on how temperature and seasonal changes effects lakes, how lakes are formed, how lakes compare in numbers to each other and more.
Did you know that wetlands are frequently used as resting stops for migrating birds? This is just one of the many interesting facts found within this educational resource. This site features information on the characteristics, types, descriptions and more of various wetlands.
What do you need to survive? Food, water, shelter? Animals need the same things and they live in places that can provide them. This informative site looks at the characteristics, range, habitat, food, reproduction and behavior of the red squirrel and the American bison.
Viktor brought his pet plant on his trip to Nova Zembla. Help him figure out what to do to take care of the plant.
Detailed website that was a companion to a 1995 traveling exhibit of the Smithsonian. Links to lesson plans and other educational materials are at the bottom of the page. Enter the exhibition to explore the world of the ocean.
Smithsonian Institution presents ?Ocean Planet: Interdisciplinary Marine Science Activities?. Through this series of six interdisciplinary lessons, students will look at such things as the organisms in different marine ecosystems, the many different products we get from our seas, and the effects of pollution on our oceans. Teachers and students alike will love the easy to understand background information and vibrant photos. Each lesson comes complete with clear learning objectives and instructions, as well as supplemental resources and student handouts.
This is an online activity on Topographic maps with stated objectives, an activity, background information, evaluation, and resources. This site has information on where you can adjust the activity for elementary or secondary age levels.
Students investigate how different riparian ground covers, such as grass or pavement, affect river flooding. They learn about permeable and impermeable materials through the measurement how much water is absorbed by several different household materials in a model river. Students use what they learn to make recommendations for engineers developing permeable pavement. Also, they consider several different limitations for design in the context of a small community.
This video segment from Nature profiles a small business in which homing pigeons play a central role.
Invite students to visit ecosystems around the world with this collection. This collection includes activities for the classroom, after school, and families. Also included is games.