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3RC (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost)

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3RC (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost)

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In this lesson, students expand their understanding of solid waste management to include the idea of 3RC (reduce, reuse, recycle and compost). They will look at the effects of packaging decisions (reducing) and learn about engineering advancements in packaging materials and solid waste management. Also, they will observe biodegradation in a model landfill (composting).

Subject:: Technology and Engineering; Ecology
Material Type:: Lesson Plan
Provider:: TeachEngineering
Provider Set:: TeachEngineering NGSS Aligned Resources
Author:: Amy Kolenbrander; Integrated Teaching and Learning Program,; Janet Yowell; Jessica Todd; Malinda Schaefer Zarske
Date Added:: 09/18/2014

Adaptations within Ecosystems

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Adaptations within Ecosystems

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All organisms live in ecosystems where they depend on each other and the natural resources of the environment. Learn how living and non-living things interact, survive, and change over time.

Subject:: Ecology
Material Type:: Lesson Plan
Author:: Laura Samorske; Heather Potts
Date Added:: 05/06/2018

Adopting Sustainable Food Practices

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Adopting Sustainable Food Practices

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Hear about how respect for Earth can help us attain a more sustainable lifestyle in the face of climate change in this video segment adapted from United Tribes Technical College.

Subject:: Life Science; Ecology; Environmental Science; Forestry and Agriculture
Material Type:: Lesson
Provider:: PBS LearningMedia
Provider Set:: PBS Learning Media Common Core Collection
Author:: NASA; WGBH Educational Foundation
Date Added:: 03/19/2012

Alaska Native Pilots

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Alaska Native Pilots

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In this video adapted from Storyknife Productions, Alaska Native pilots share how they use traditional knowledge to read the landscape and predict the weather.

Subject:: Ecology; Environmental Science; Forestry and Agriculture
Material Type:: Lecture
Provider:: PBS LearningMedia
Provider Set:: PBS Learning Media Common Core Collection
Author:: National Science Foundation; WGBH Educational Foundation
Date Added:: 11/04/2008

Alaska Native Teens Help Researchers

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Alaska Native Teens Help Researchers

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In this video adapted from KUAC-TV and the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska Native students contribute to research on how their environment is changing as a result of global warming.

Subject:: Life Science; Ecology; Environmental Science; Forestry and Agriculture
Material Type:: Lesson
Provider:: PBS LearningMedia
Provider Set:: PBS Learning Media Common Core Collection
Author:: National Science Foundation; WGBH Educational Foundation
Date Added:: 11/04/2008

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Alaska Tsunami

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In this video adapted from Alaska Sea Grant, discover why multiple tsunamis resulted from the Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964.

Subject:: Oceanography; Ecology; Environmental Science; Forestry and Agriculture
Material Type:: Lecture
Provider:: PBS LearningMedia
Provider Set:: PBS Learning Media Common Core Collection
Author:: National Science Foundation; WGBH Educational Foundation
Date Added:: 11/04/2008

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All Caught Up

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Commercial fishing nets often trap "unprofitable" animals in the process of catching target species. In this activity, students experience the difficulty that fishermen experience while trying to isolate a target species when a variety of sea animals are found in the area of interest. Then the class discusses the large magnitude of this problem. Students practice data acquisition and analysis skills by collecting data and processing it to deduce trends on target species distribution. They conclude by discussing how bycatch impacts their lives and whether or not it is an important environmental issue that needs attention. As an extension, students use their creativity and innovative skills to design nets or other methods, theoretically and/or through hands-on prototyping, that fisherman could use to help avoid bycatch.

Subject:: Technology and Engineering; Ecology
Material Type:: Activity/Lab
Provider:: TeachEngineering
Provider Set:: TeachEngineering NGSS Aligned Resources
Author:: Amy Whitt, Nicholas School of the Environment; Angela Jiang, Pratt School of Engineering; Aruna Venkatesan, Pratt School of Engineering; Engineering K-PhD Program,; Matt Nusnbaum, Pratt School of Engineering; Vicki Thayer, Nicholas School of the Environment
Date Added:: 10/14/2015

All Caught Up: Bycatching and Design

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All Caught Up: Bycatching and Design

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Bycatch, the unintended capture of animals in commercial fishing gear, is a hot topic in marine conservation today. The surprisingly high level of bycatch about 25% of the entire global catch is responsible for the decline of hundreds of thousands of dolphins, whales, porpoises, seabirds and sea turtles each year. Through this curricular unit, students analyze the significance of bycatch in the global ecosystem and propose solutions to help reduce bycatch. They become familiar with current attempts to reduce the fishing mortality of these animals. Through the associated activities, the challenges faced today are reinforced and students are stimulated to brainstorm about possible engineering designs or policy changes that could reduce the magnitude of bycatch.

Subject:: Technology and Engineering; Ecology
Material Type:: Unit of Study
Provider:: TeachEngineering
Provider Set:: TeachEngineering NGSS Aligned Resources
Author:: Amy Whitt, Nicholas School of the Environment; Angela Jiang, Pratt School of Engineering; Aruna Venkatesan, Pratt School of Engineering; Engineering K-Ph.D. Program,; Matt Nusnbaum , Pratt School of Engineering; Vicki Thayer, Nicholas School of the Environment
Date Added:: 10/14/2015

Animal Behavior, Fall 2013

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Animal Behavior, Fall 2013

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Most of the major categories of adaptive behavior can be seen in all animals. This course begins with the evolution of behavior, the driver of nervous system evolution, reviewed using concepts developed in ethology, sociobiology, other comparative studies, and in studies of brain evolution. The roles of various types of plasticity are considered, as well as foraging and feeding, defensive and aggressive behavior, courtship and reproduction, migration and navigation, social activities and communication, with contributions of inherited patterns and cognitive abilities. Both field and laboratory based studies are reviewed; and finally, human behavior is considered within the context of primate studies.

Subject:: Biology; Ecology; Psychology
Material Type:: Full Course
Provider:: M.I.T.
Provider Set:: M.I.T. OpenCourseWare
Author:: Schneider, Gerald
Date Added:: 01/01/2013

Animals and Engineering

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Animals and Engineering

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Students are introduced to the classification of animals and animal interactions. Students also learn why engineers need to know about animals and how they use that knowledge to design technologies that help other animals and/or humans. 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.

Subject:: Technology and Engineering; Ecology
Material Type:: Activity/Lab; Lesson Plan
Provider:: TeachEngineering
Provider Set:: TeachEngineering NGSS Aligned Resources
Author:: Denise Carlson; Integrated Teaching and Learning Program,; Katherine Beggs; Malinda Schaefer Zarske
Date Added:: 09/18/2014

Antarctic Food Web Game

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Antarctic Food Web Game

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In this interactive game adapted from the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, build a food web that illustrates the flow of energy in an Antarctic ecosystem and the relationships between predators and prey.

Subject:: Life Science; Ecology; Forestry and Agriculture
Material Type:: Activity/Lab; Interactive
Provider:: PBS LearningMedia
Provider Set:: PBS Learning Media Common Core Collection
Author:: National Science Foundation; WGBH Educational Foundation
Date Added:: 08/09/2007

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Arctic Tundra

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This video segment from Wild Europe: "Wild Arctic" explores the struggle for survival in one of Earth's most extreme environments.

Subject:: Life Science; Ecology; Forestry and Agriculture
Material Type:: Activity/Lab
Provider:: PBS LearningMedia
Provider Set:: PBS Learning Media Common Core Collection
Author:: National Science Foundation; WGBH Educational Foundation
Date Added:: 09/26/2003

Art and Ecology

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Art and Ecology

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Artists are often particularly keen observers and precise recorders of the physical conditions of the natural world. As a result, paintings can be good resources for learning about ecology. Teachers can use this lesson to examine with students the interrelationship of geography, natural resources, and climate and their effects on daily life. It also addresses the roles students can take in caring for the environment. Students will look at paintings that represent cool temperate, warm temperate, and tropical climates.
In this lesson students will: Identify natural resources found in particular geographic areas; Discuss ways in which climate, natural resources, and geography affect daily life; Apply critical-thinking skills to consider the various choices artists have made in their representations of the natural world; Make personal connections to the theme by discussing ways they can be environmental stewards; Identify natural resources found in particular geographic areas; Discuss ways in which climate, natural resources, and geography affect daily life; Apply critical-thinking skills to consider the various choices artists have made in their representations of the natural world; Make personal connections to the theme by discussing ways they can be environmental stewards.

Subject:: Fine Arts; Art History; Performing and Visual Arts; Ecology; Geography
Material Type:: Activity/Lab; Assessment; Diagram/Illustration; Lesson Plan
Provider:: National Gallery of Art
Date Added:: 10/13/2017

Baboon Longevity Under Adversity

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Baboon Longevity Under Adversity

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This graph depicts survival curves for 196 adult female baboons from a population in Kenya. The baboons were grouped by the number of adverse conditions that they had experienced early in life. Project or distribute the image to engage students. The downloadable Educator Materials PDF, which includes background information, graph interpretation and discussion questions, and the Student Handout, which includes the image and background information, have been remediated to comply with Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act for accessibility and can be used with screen readers.

Subject:: Biology; Ecology
Material Type:: Activity/Lab; Diagram/Illustration; Lesson; Student Guide
Date Added:: 11/08/2018

Balance within Ecosystems

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Balance within Ecosystems

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Students will Identify there are cycles in nature that help to keep ecosystems balanced.-What is a balanced and functioning ecosystem?-What are the essential components of a balanced ecosystem?-What happens when one of these components decreases or takes over?

Subject:: Ecology
Material Type:: Lesson Plan
Author:: Laura Samorske; Heather Potts
Date Added:: 04/27/2018

Bears Don't Recognize Boundaries

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Bears Don't Recognize Boundaries

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In this video segment from Nature, learn about the problems bears are creating on ranch land surrounding Yellowstone National Park.

Subject:: Life Science; Ecology; Forestry and Agriculture
Material Type:: Lecture
Provider:: PBS LearningMedia
Provider Set:: PBS Learning Media Common Core Collection
Author:: Canon; Corporation for Public Broadcasting; SC Johnson; WNET
Date Added:: 11/12/2008

Bees: The Invaluable Master Pollinators

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Bees: The Invaluable Master Pollinators

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The study of biomimicry and sustainable design promises great benefits in design applications, offering cost-effective, resourceful, non-polluting avenues for new enterprise. An important final caveat for students to understand is that once copied, species are not expendable. Biomimicry is intended to help people by identifying natural functions from which to pattern human-driven services. Biomimicry was never intended to replace species. Ecosystems remain in critical need of ongoing protection and biodiversity must be preserved for the overall health of the planet. This activity addresses the negative ramifications of species decline. For example, pollinators such as bees are a vital work force in agriculture. They perform an irreplaceable task in ensuring the harvest of most fruit and vegetable crops. In the face of the unexplained colony collapse disorder, we are only now beginning to understand how invaluable these insects are in keeping food costs down and even making the existence of these foods possible for humans.

Subject:: Technology and Engineering; Ecology
Material Type:: Activity/Lab
Provider:: TeachEngineering
Provider Set:: TeachEngineering NGSS Aligned Resources
Author:: Amber Spolarich; Megan Johnston; VU Bioengineering RET Program,; Wendy J. Holmgren
Date Added:: 09/18/2014

Biodomes Engineering Design Project: Lessons 2-6

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Biodomes Engineering Design Project: Lessons 2-6

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In this multi-day activity, students explore environments, ecosystems, energy flow and organism interactions by creating a scale model biodome, following the steps of the engineering design process. The Procedure section provides activity instructions for Biodomes unit, lessons 2-6, as students work through Parts 1-6 to develop their model biodome. Subjects include energy flow and food chains, basic needs of plants and animals, and the importance of decomposers. Students consider why a solid understanding of one's environment and the interdependence of an ecosystem can inform the choices we make and the way we engineer our own communities. This activity can be conducted as either a very structured or open-ended design.

Subject:: Technology and Engineering; Ecology
Material Type:: Activity/Lab
Provider:: TeachEngineering
Provider Set:: TeachEngineering NGSS Aligned Resources
Author:: Christopher Valenti; Denise Carlson; Integrated Teaching and Learning Program,; Katherine Beggs; Malinda Schaefer Zarske
Date Added:: 10/14/2015

Biomes and Population Dynamics - Balance within Natural Systems

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Biomes and Population Dynamics - Balance within Natural Systems

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With a continued focus on the Sonoran Desert, students are introduced to the concepts of biomes, limiting factors (resources), carrying capacity and growth curves through a PowerPoint® presentation. Abiotic factors (temperature, annual precipitation, seasons, etc.) determine the biome landscape. The vegetative component, as producers, determines the types of consumers that form its various communities. Students learn how the type and quantity of available resources defines how many organisms can be supported within the community, as well as its particular resident species. Students use mathematical models of natural relationships (in this case, sigmoid and exponential growth curves) to analyze population information and build upon it. With this understanding, students are able to explain how carrying capacity is determined by the limiting factors within the community and feeding relationships. By studying these ecological relationships, students see the connection between ecological relationships of organisms and the fundamentals of engineering design, adding to their base of knowledge towards solving the grand challenge posed in this unit.

Subject:: Technology and Engineering; Ecology
Material Type:: Lesson Plan
Provider:: TeachEngineering
Provider Set:: TeachEngineering NGSS Aligned Resources
Author:: Amber Spolarich; Megan Johnston; VU Bioengineering RET Program,; Wendy J. Holmgren
Date Added:: 09/18/2014

Biomimicry and Sustainable Design - Nature Is an Engineering Marvel

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Biomimicry and Sustainable Design - Nature Is an Engineering Marvel

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Students are introduced to the concepts of biomimicry and sustainable design. Countless examples illustrate the wisdom of nature in how organisms are adapted for survival, such as in body style, physiological processes, water conservation, thermal radiation and mutualistic relationships, to assure species perpetuation. Students learn from articles and videos, building a framework of evidence substantiating the indisputable fact that organisms operate "smarter" and thus provide humans with inspiration in how to improve products, systems and cities. As students focus on applying the ecological principles of the previous lessons to the future design of our human-centered world, they also learn that often our practices are incapable of replicating the precision in which nature completes certain functions, as evidenced by our dependence on bees as pollinators of the human food supply. The message of biomimicry is one of respect: study to improve human practices and ultimately protect natural systems. This heightened appreciation helps students to grasp the value of industry and urban mimetic designs to assure protection of global resources, minimize human impact and conserve nonrenewable resources. All of these issues aid students in creating a viable guest resort in the Sonoran Desert.

Subject:: Technology and Engineering; Ecology; Forestry and Agriculture
Material Type:: Lesson Plan
Provider:: TeachEngineering
Provider Set:: TeachEngineering
Author:: TeachEngineering.org; VU Bioengineering RET Program,; Wendy J. Holmgren
Date Added:: 09/18/2014