National Energy Education Development Project (NEED)
NEED offers materials on energy use, energy efficiency, and new energy technologies and makes an ongoing effort to keep curriculum materials correlated to state standards and to the National Science Education Standards. 
Grade level: K-12

Ohio Energy Project 
Check out the Ohio Energy Project website for upcoming professional development opportunities for primary teachers at www.ohioenergy.org on the topic of global climate change.
Grade level: 1-12

Renewable Energy 
Students learn about wind and solar energy and what the pros and cons could be. 
Grade level: 6-8

What are Our Energy Choices
These activities examine the advantages and disadvantages of different energy sources. 
Grade level: 7-12

Build a Wind Turbine 
Building a small wind turbine has never been more fun! Check out how to make it. 

Grade level: 7-12

Shared Power Network-Solar
Shared Power Network is working with local schools and educationally-focused nonprofit organizations to expand access to solar energy without the financial burden of an installation. Reach out if your school is interested in a small solar installation and supporting curriculum building for your educators. 

Grade level: K-12

GreenSpot: Conserving Natural Resources 
In this activity students will be able to identify the natural resource used to manufacture and operate items that humans need and use. Students will understand the word ‘conserve’ and be able to identify ways to do so as it relates to the environment.
Grade level: 1-2

Windows on Waste
Windows on Waste is an interdisciplinary, environmental studies resource for elementary teachers and other environmental educators. It endeavors to meet the needs of competency-based education and constructivist approaches to teaching and learning. The lessons are grounded in general environmental studies concepts as applied to solid waste management issues, with particular emphasis upon recycling and litter prevention. The lessons also address many important educational concerns in Ohio.
Grade level:4-6

Garbology
This interactive site takes students on a journey - into garbage. Along the way, young readers learn which items should be reused or recycled, and which should be composted. Each time a student drags a piece of trash (or a banana peel, or a can) to the right receptacle, an interesting fact appears on the screen. For example, putting the plastic bottle in the recycling calls up this bit of trivia: Americans make enough plastic each year to shrink-wrap Texas. Putting an item in the wrong bin produces comical results. A fun and engaging site, young readers will learn important lessons about our trash, and our world.
Grade level: various

Seeing the Wood for the Trees: Introduction to Sustainable Forestry
Students interact with Google Earth to identify forests that have been logged selectively versus those that have not. They also learn how to distinguish the appearance of forestry methods in satellite images. Outdoors, students create a comprehensive list of all the tree species in their own neighborhoods or local parks.
Grade level: 6-8

Can We Feed the Growing Planet 
Students explore the resources that make up our agricultural system. Students examine land uses and soil quality through graphs of land use and crop production and use computational models to compare the effect of different management strategies on the land.
Grade level: 7-12

Making a Decision about Building a Road in the Amazon
Students will analyze a real-world environmental case of building a road through the Amazon rain forest. They will explore the geographical, cultural, and environmental context of building the road, identify the stakeholders and their role and impact, and map out the intended and unintended consequences from the decision that they make.
Grade level: 9-12

Sustainable Fisheries 
Students explore issues related to fisheries sustainability and simulate fish monitoring methods commonly used by scientists and resource managers.
Grade level: 9-12

Make Paper!
Students investigate the papermaking process by trying it themselves. Students are thrilled to find that they can make paper and that their product is practical, as well as beautiful. Watch a video of the paper-making process used in this activity.

Grade level: K-8

Recycle
There are many resources out there on recycling education. You can check out the RecycleRight website for information on the residential program. Please note that Columbus' program you can throw the recycling items in the big blue bin--no need to sort!

Palm Oil Crisis and Solutions

Created by the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, this page provides an overview of the palm oil crisis, educational sheets that cites products that are made from  sustainably-sourced palm oil, and includes information on how to use the Sustainable Palm Oil app that was developed by the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Grade level: 3-5

Air Now: Air Quality Index (AQI) Toolkit for Teachers 
Air Now was developed by the U.S. EPA to provide easy access to national air quality information.
The website offers a variety of free teacher resources, including a toolkit with easy-to-use and engaging lesson plans and activities to teach students about the connections between air quality, health, weather, and other related science topics, as well as actions students can take to protect their health and reduce air pollution.  
Grade levels: K-8

Air Now: Kid’s Air 
Learn why Coco is orange and play the air quality index game show.  
Grade levels: K - 3

Discovery Education
More than 30 lesson plans covering a range of topics such as Earth’s ecology, habitats of the world, frogs, pollution solutions, desert dwellers, and much more!
Grade level: K-12

Garbology
This interactive site takes students on a journey - into garbage. Along the way, young readers learn which items should be reused or recycled, and which should be composted. Each time a student drags a piece of trash (or a banana peel, or a can) to the right receptacle, an interesting fact appears on the screen. For example, putting the plastic bottle in the recycling calls up this bit of trivia: Americans make enough plastic each year to shrink-wrap Texas. Putting an item in the wrong bin produces comical results. A fun and engaging site, young readers will learn important lessons about our trash, and our world.
Grade level: various

Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots
Roots & Shoots is about making positive change happen for people, animals, and the environment. Get to know the 4-step Roots & Shoots Formula for identifying and completing a service campaign in your community.
Grade level:K-8

Make Paper!
Students investigate the papermaking process by trying it themselves. Students are thrilled to find that they can make paper and that their product is practical, as well as beautiful. Watch a video of the paper-making process used in this activity.
Grade level: K-8

Nature Shape Walk 
Children search for the shapes and colors that define both our natural and built environments. Check out this activity for more information.
Grade level: K-1

Project WILD
Project WILD teaches young people how to think about wildlife, not what to think. Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade learn basic concepts about wild animals, their needs and importance, and their relationships to people and the environment. The hands-on, diverse activities help develop problem-solving and decision making skills in determining responsible human actions.

Grade level: varies

Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center 
This comprehensive website covers team building, Earth sciences, general science education, climate and weather, history, language arts and literacy, ice cores, and biological sciences.
Grade level: 2-12  

Discovery Education
More than 30 lesson plans covering a range of topics such as Earth’s ecology, habitats of the world, frogs, pollution solutions, desert dwellers, and much more!
Grade level: K-12  

Garbology
This interactive site takes students on a journey - into garbage. Along the way, young readers learn which items should be reused or recycled, and which should be composted. Each time a student drags a piece of trash (or a banana peel, or a can) to the right receptacle, an interesting fact appears on the screen. For example, putting the plastic bottle in the recycling calls up this bit of trivia: Americans make enough plastic each year to shrink-wrap Texas. Putting an item in the wrong bin produces comical results. A fun and engaging site, young readers will learn important lessons about our trash, and our world.
Grade level: various

GreenSpot: Conserving Natural Resources 
In this activity students will be able to identify the natural resource used to manufacture and operate items that humans need and use. Students will understand the word ‘conserve’ and be able to identify ways to do so as it relates to the environment.
Grade level: 1-2

GreenWalks  
Text: Columbus Green Walks is a self-guided walking map with audio tours of Whetstone Park. The map directs you to sites while recorded messages tell you about each one. The phone number has a recording with information about each site on the map.
Grade level: 1 and up

Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots
Roots & Shoots is about making positive change happen for people, animals, and the environment. Get to know the 4-step Roots & Shoots Formula for identifying and completing a service campaign in your community.
Grade level:K-8

Make Paper!
Students investigate the papermaking process by trying it themselves. Students are thrilled to find that they can make paper and that their product is practical, as well as beautiful. Watch a video of the paper-making process used in this activity.
Grade level: K-8

National Energy Education Development Project (NEED)
NEED offers materials on energy use, energy efficiency, and new energy technologies and makes an ongoing effort to keep curriculum materials correlated to state standards and to the National Science Education Standards. 
Grade level: elementary-highschool

Ohio Energy Project 
Text: Check out the Ohio Energy Project website for upcoming professional development opportunities for primary teachers at www.ohioenergy.org on the topic of global climate change.
Grade level: 1-12

Project Learning Tree-Ohio 
Project Learning Tree is a comprehensive environmental education program that helps educators with balanced non-biased learning experiences for PreK through 12th grades that encompass the total environment - land, air, water, plants and animals (including humans). In order to obtain Project Learning Tree materials, teachers must attend an Educator Workshop.
Grade level: 1-12   

Project WILD
Project WILD teaches young people how to think about wildlife, not what to think. Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade learn basic concepts about wild animals, their needs and importance, and their relationships to people and the environment. The hands-on, diverse activities help develop problem-solving and decision making skills in determining responsible human actions.
Grade level: varies

Project WET
The development of a water ethic can begin at an early age. Children benefit from parents, educators and mentors who recognize not only the scientific but also the social and cultural aspects of water. The core of the program is the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide for kindergarten through twelfth grades. A collection of hands-on, easy to use and fun activities incorporate a variety of formats, such as large and small group learning, whole-body activities, laboratory investigations, discussion of local and global topics and involvement in community service projects. 
Grade level: 2, 4, 6, 7

Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center 
This comprehensive website covers team building, Earth sciences, general science education, climate and weather, history, language arts and literacy, ice cores, and biological sciences.
Grade level: 2-12

Community Gardening
This resource has 59 lessons to choose from. The community gardening starts half way down the page.
Grade level: 3-12

Discovery Education
More than 30 lesson plans covering a range of topics such as Earth’s ecology, habitats of the world, frogs, pollution solutions, desert dwellers, and much more!
Grade level: K-12

Garbology
This interactive site takes students on a journey - into garbage. Along the way, young readers learn which items should be reused or recycled, and which should be composted. Each time a student drags a piece of trash (or a banana peel, or a can) to the right receptacle, an interesting fact appears on the screen. For example, putting the plastic bottle in the recycling calls up this bit of trivia: Americans make enough plastic each year to shrink-wrap Texas. Putting an item in the wrong bin produces comical results. A fun and engaging site, young readers will learn important lessons about our trash, and our world.
Grade level: various

GreenWalks  
Text: Columbus Green Walks is a self-guided walking map with audio tours of Whetstone Park. The map directs you to sites while recorded messages tell you about each one. The phone number has a recording with information about each site on the map.
Grade level: 1 and up

Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots
Roots & Shoots is about making positive change happen for people, animals, and the environment. Get to know the 4-step Roots & Shoots Formula for identifying and completing a service campaign in your community.
Grade level:K-8

Make Paper!
Students investigate the papermaking process by trying it themselves. Students are thrilled to find that they can make paper and that their product is practical, as well as beautiful. Watch a video of the paper-making process used in this activity.
Grade level: k-8

National Energy Education Development Project (NEED)
NEED offers materials on energy use, energy efficiency, and new energy technologies and makes an ongoing effort to keep curriculum materials correlated to state standards and to the National Science Education Standards. 
Grade level: elementary-highschool

Ohio Energy Project 
Text: Check out the Ohio Energy Project website for upcoming professional development opportunities for primary teachers at www.ohioenergy.org on the topic of global climate change.
Grade level: 1-12

Project Learning Tree-Ohio 
Project Learning Tree is a comprehensive environmental education program that helps educators with balanced non-biased learning experiences for PreK through 12th grades that encompass the total environment - land, air, water, plants and animals (including humans). In order to obtain Project Learning Tree materials, teachers must attend an Educator Workshop.
Grade level: 1-12

Project WILD
Project WILD teaches young people how to think about wildlife, not what to think. Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade learn basic concepts about wild animals, their needs and importance, and their relationships to people and the environment. The hands-on, diverse activities help develop problem-solving and decision making skills in determining responsible human actions.
Grade level: varies

Palm Oil Crisis and Solutions

Created by the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, this page provides an overview of the palm oil crisis, educational sheets that cites products that are made from  sustainably-sourced palm oil, and includes information on how to use the Sustainable Palm Oil app that was developed by the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Grade level: 3-5

Community Gardening
This resource has 59 lessons to choose from. The community gardening starts half way down the page.
Grade level: 3-12

Discovery Education
More than 30 lesson plans covering a range of topics such as Earth’s ecology, habitats of the world, frogs, pollution solutions, desert dwellers, and much more!
Grade level: K-12

Garbology
This interactive site takes students on a journey - into garbage. Along the way, young readers learn which items should be reused or recycled, and which should be composted. Each time a student drags a piece of trash (or a banana peel, or a can) to the right receptacle, an interesting fact appears on the screen. For example, putting the plastic bottle in the recycling calls up this bit of trivia: Americans make enough plastic each year to shrink-wrap Texas. Putting an item in the wrong bin produces comical results. A fun and engaging site, young readers will learn important lessons about our trash, and our world.
Grade level: various

Green Transportation Bike License
Administer a “driving” test for your students. Set up different stations with facts about transportation. The participants will take a written “exam” to all the stations filling in the answers as facts are taught. After the stations and exam are complete, each child will have his/ her picture taken for their green transportation license.
Grade level: 4-5

GreenWalks  
Text: Columbus Green Walks is a self-guided walking map with audio tours of Whetstone Park. The map directs you to sites while recorded messages tell you about each one. The phone number has a recording with information about each site on the map.
Grade level: 1 and up

Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots
Roots & Shoots is about making positive change happen for people, animals, and the environment. Get to know the 4-step Roots & Shoots Formula for identifying and completing a service campaign in your community.
Grade level:K-8

Make Paper!
Students investigate the papermaking process by trying it themselves. Students are thrilled to find that they can make paper and that their product is practical, as well as beautiful. Watch a video of the paper-making process used in this activity.
Grade level: K-8

National Energy Education Development Project (NEED)
NEED offers materials on energy use, energy efficiency, and new energy technologies and makes an ongoing effort to keep curriculum materials correlated to state standards and to the National Science Education Standards. 
Grade level: elementary-highschool

Ohio Energy Project 
Text: Check out the Ohio Energy Project website for upcoming professional development opportunities for primary teachers at www.ohioenergy.org on the topic of global climate change.
Grade level: 1-12

Nature Shape Walk 
Children search for the shapes and colors that define both our natural and built environments. Check out this activity for more information.
Grade level: K-1

Project Learning Tree-Ohio 
Project Learning Tree is a comprehensive environmental education program that helps educators with balanced non-biased learning experiences for PreK through 12th grades that encompass the total environment - land, air, water, plants and animals (including humans). In order to obtain Project Learning Tree materials, teachers must attend an Educator Workshop.
Grade level: 1-12

Project WILD
Project WILD teaches young people how to think about wildlife, not what to think. Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade learn basic concepts about wild animals, their needs and importance, and their relationships to people and the environment. The hands-on, diverse activities help develop problem-solving and decision making skills in determining responsible human actions.
Grade level: varies

Project WET
The development of a water ethic can begin at an early age. Children benefit from parents, educators and mentors who recognize not only the scientific but also the social and cultural aspects of water. The core of the program is the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide for kindergarten through twelfth grades. A collection of hands-on, easy to use and fun activities incorporate a variety of formats, such as large and small group learning, whole-body activities, laboratory investigations, discussion of local and global topics and involvement in community service projects. 
Grade level: 2, 4, 6, 7

Web of Life Activity
In Project Learning Tree “web of life” activity, students conduct research and simulate a food web to discover the many ways that plants and animals are connected.  Students decided to bring this activity to a new level. They took on the challenge of interpreting the activity in a way that would work for a permanent structure.
Grade level: 4-7

Windows on Waste
Windows on Waste is an interdisciplinary, environmental studies resource for elementary teachers and other environmental educators. It endeavors to meet the needs of competency-based education and constructivist approaches to teaching and learning. The lessons are grounded in general environmental studies concepts as applied to solid waste management issues, with particular emphasis upon recycling and litter prevention. The lessons also address many important educational concerns in Ohio.
Grade level:4-6

Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center 
This comprehensive website covers team building, Earth sciences, general science education, climate and weather, history, language arts and literacy, ice cores, and biological sciences.
Grade level: 2-12

Community Gardening
This resource has 59 lessons to choose from. The community gardening starts half way down the page.
Grade level: 3-12

Discovery Education
More than 30 lesson plans covering a range of topics such as Earth’s ecology, habitats of the world, frogs, pollution solutions, desert dwellers, and much more!
Grade level: K-12

Garbology
This interactive site takes students on a journey - into garbage. Along the way, young readers learn which items should be reused or recycled, and which should be composted. Each time a student drags a piece of trash (or a banana peel, or a can) to the right receptacle, an interesting fact appears on the screen. For example, putting the plastic bottle in the recycling calls up this bit of trivia: Americans make enough plastic each year to shrink-wrap Texas. Putting an item in the wrong bin produces comical results. A fun and engaging site, young readers will learn important lessons about our trash, and our world.
Grade level: various

Green Transportation Bike License
Administer a “driving” test for your students. Set up different stations with facts about transportation. The participants will take a written “exam” to all the stations filling in the answers as facts are taught. After the stations and exam are complete, each child will have his/ her picture taken for their green transportation license.
Grade level: 4-5

GreenWalks  
Text: Columbus Green Walks is a self-guided walking map with audio tours of Whetstone Park. The map directs you to sites while recorded messages tell you about each one. The phone number has a recording with information about each site on the map.
Grade level: 1 and up

Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots
Roots & Shoots is about making positive change happen for people, animals, and the environment. Get to know the 4-step Roots & Shoots Formula for identifying and completing a service campaign in your community.
Grade level:K-8

Make Paper!
Students investigate the papermaking process by trying it themselves. Students are thrilled to find that they can make paper and that their product is practical, as well as beautiful. Watch a video of the paper-making process used in this activity.
Grade level: k-8

National Energy Education Development Project (NEED)
NEED offers materials on energy use, energy efficiency, and new energy technologies and makes an ongoing effort to keep curriculum materials correlated to state standards and to the National Science Education Standards. 
Grade level: elementary-highschool

Ohio Energy Project 
Text: Check out the Ohio Energy Project website for upcoming professional development opportunities for primary teachers at www.ohioenergy.org on the topic of global climate change.
Grade level: 1-12

Project Learning Tree-Ohio 
Project Learning Tree is a comprehensive environmental education program that helps educators with balanced non-biased learning experiences for PreK through 12th grades that encompass the total environment - land, air, water, plants and animals (including humans). In order to obtain Project Learning Tree materials, teachers must attend an Educator Workshop.
Grade level: 1-12

Project WILD
Project WILD teaches young people how to think about wildlife, not what to think. Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade learn basic concepts about wild animals, their needs and importance, and their relationships to people and the environment. The hands-on, diverse activities help develop problem-solving and decision making skills in determining responsible human actions.
Grade level: varies

Web of Life Activity
In Project Learning Tree “web of life” activity, students conduct research and simulate a food web to discover the many ways that plants and animals are connected.  Students decided to bring this activity to a new level. They took on the challenge of interpreting the activity in a way that would work for a permanent structure.
Grade level: 4-7

Windows on Waste
Windows on Waste is an interdisciplinary, environmental studies resource for elementary teachers and other environmental educators. It endeavors to meet the needs of competency-based education and constructivist approaches to teaching and learning. The lessons are grounded in general environmental studies concepts as applied to solid waste management issues, with particular emphasis upon recycling and litter prevention. The lessons also address many important educational concerns in Ohio.
Grade level:4-6

Bee Detective: Discover the Culprit Behind Declining Bee Populations 
Students are put at the cutting edge of research on declining bee populations. To date, Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has not been concretely attributed to any single cause. Through a variety of clues, students will conclude that CCD results from a combination of factors. Have students play the role of worker bees and the teacher can play queen bee.
Grade level: 6-8

Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center 
This comprehensive website covers team building, Earth sciences, general science education, climate and weather, history, language arts and literacy, ice cores, and biological sciences.
Grade level: 2-12

Community Gardening
This resource has 59 lessons to choose from. The community gardening starts half way down the page.
Grade level: 3-12

Discovery Education
More than 30 lesson plans covering a range of topics such as Earth’s ecology, habitats of the world, frogs, pollution solutions, desert dwellers, and much more!
Grade level: K-12

Fighting Fire with Fire: Can Fire Positively Impact an Ecosystem?
In this lesson, students explore controlled burn scenarios and the positive impacts of fire on ecosystems. Students assume the role of a fire manager to develop a recommendation for a specific ecosystem, and compare and contrast how organisms in different ecosystems have adapted to fire.
Grade level: 6-8

Garbology
This interactive site takes students on a journey - into garbage. Along the way, young readers learn which items should be reused or recycled, and which should be composted. Each time a student drags a piece of trash (or a banana peel, or a can) to the right receptacle, an interesting fact appears on the screen. For example, putting the plastic bottle in the recycling calls up this bit of trivia: Americans make enough plastic each year to shrink-wrap Texas. Putting an item in the wrong bin produces comical results. A fun and engaging site, young readers will learn important lessons about our trash, and our world.
Grade level: various

GreenWalks  
Text: Columbus Green Walks is a self-guided walking map with audio tours of Whetstone Park. The map directs you to sites while recorded messages tell you about each one. The phone number has a recording with information about each site on the map.
Grade level: 1 and up

How Natural Areas Filter Water 
Students learn about the importance of water quality for human health and agriculture. They relate their own consumption activities to the water supply and also brainstorm various threats to the water supply. By contrasting natural filters with impervious (paved) areas, students compare the impact of development on the ability of nature to provide clean freshwater.
Grade level: 6-8

Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots
Roots & Shoots is about making positive change happen for people, animals, and the environment. Get to know the 4-step Roots & Shoots Formula for identifying and completing a service campaign in your community.
Grade level:K-8

Make Paper!
Students investigate the papermaking process by trying it themselves. Students are thrilled to find that they can make paper and that their product is practical, as well as beautiful. Watch a video of the paper-making process used in this activity.
Grade level: k-8

National Energy Education Development Project (NEED)
NEED offers materials on energy use, energy efficiency, and new energy technologies and makes an ongoing effort to keep curriculum materials correlated to state standards and to the National Science Education Standards. 
Grade level: elementary-highschool

Ohio Energy Project 
Text: Check out the Ohio Energy Project website for upcoming professional development opportunities for primary teachers at www.ohioenergy.org on the topic of global climate change.
Grade level: 1-12

Project Learning Tree-Ohio 
Project Learning Tree is a comprehensive environmental education program that helps educators with balanced non-biased learning experiences for PreK through 12th grades that encompass the total environment - land, air, water, plants and animals (including humans). In order to obtain Project Learning Tree materials, teachers must attend an Educator Workshop.
Grade level: 1-12

Project WILD
Project WILD teaches young people how to think about wildlife, not what to think. Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade learn basic concepts about wild animals, their needs and importance, and their relationships to people and the environment. The hands-on, diverse activities help develop problem-solving and decision making skills in determining responsible human actions.
Grade level: varies

Reforestation: Impact on Climate
Students learn the role forests play in the carbon cycle and how it interacts with climate. 
Grade level: 6-8

Renewable Energy 
Students learn about wind and solar energy and what the pros and cons could be. 
Grade level: 6-8

Seeing the Wood for the Trees: Introduction to Sustainable Forestry
Students interact with Google Earth to identify forests that have been logged selectively versus those that have not. They also learn how to distinguish the appearance of forestry methods in satellite images. Outdoors, students create a comprehensive list of all the tree species in their own neighborhoods or local parks.
Grade level: 6-8

Project WET
The development of a water ethic can begin at an early age. Children benefit from parents, educators and mentors who recognize not only the scientific but also the social and cultural aspects of water. The core of the program is the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide for kindergarten through twelfth grades. A collection of hands-on, easy to use and fun activities incorporate a variety of formats, such as large and small group learning, whole-body activities, laboratory investigations, discussion of local and global topics and involvement in community service projects. 
Grade level: 2, 4, 6, 7

Urban Trees  
Learn how trees in an urban environment keep the temperatures down, produce oxygen, soak up carbon dioxide, and filter other pollutants. Students can identify specific tree species.  
Grade level: 6-8

Web of Life Activity
In Project Learning Tree “web of life” activity, students conduct research and simulate a food web to discover the many ways that plants and animals are connected.  Students decided to bring this activity to a new level. They took on the challenge of interpreting the activity in a way that would work for a permanent structure.
Grade level: 4-7

Windows on Waste
Windows on Waste is an interdisciplinary, environmental studies resource for elementary teachers and other environmental educators. It endeavors to meet the needs of competency-based education and constructivist approaches to teaching and learning. The lessons are grounded in general environmental studies concepts as applied to solid waste management issues, with particular emphasis upon recycling and litter prevention. The lessons also address many important educational concerns in Ohio.
Grade level:4-6

Bee Detective: Discover the Culprit Behind Declining Bee Populations  
Students are put at the cutting edge of research on declining bee populations. To date, Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has not been concretely attributed to any single cause. Through a variety of clues, students will conclude that CCD results from a combination of factors. Have students play the role of worker bees and the teacher can play queen bee.
Grade level: 6-8

Build a Wind Turbine  
Building a small wind turbine has never been more fun! Check out how to make it. 
Grade level: 7-12

Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center  
This comprehensive website covers team building, Earth sciences, general science education, climate and weather, history, language arts and literacy, ice cores, and biological sciences.
Grade level: 2-12

Can We Feed the Growing Planet  
Students explore the resources that make up our agricultural system. Students examine land uses and soil quality through graphs of land use and crop production and use computational models to compare the effect of different management strategies on the land.
Grade level: 7-12

Community Gardening
This resource has 59 lessons to choose from. The community gardening starts half way down the page.
Grade level: 3-12

Discovery Education
More than 30 lesson plans covering a range of topics such as Earth’s ecology, habitats of the world, frogs, pollution solutions, desert dwellers, and much more!
Grade level: K-12

Fighting Fire with Fire: Can Fire Positively Impact an Ecosystem?
In this lesson, students explore controlled burn scenarios and the positive impacts of fire on ecosystems. Students assume the role of a fire manager to develop a recommendation for a specific ecosystem, and compare and contrast how organisms in different ecosystems have adapted to fire.
Grade level: 6-8

Garbology
This interactive site takes students on a journey - into garbage. Along the way, young readers learn which items should be reused or recycled, and which should be composted. Each time a student drags a piece of trash (or a banana peel, or a can) to the right receptacle, an interesting fact appears on the screen. For example, putting the plastic bottle in the recycling calls up this bit of trivia: Americans make enough plastic each year to shrink-wrap Texas. Putting an item in the wrong bin produces comical results. A fun and engaging site, young readers will learn important lessons about our trash, and our world.
Grade level: various

GreenWalks   
Text: Columbus Green Walks is a self-guided walking map with audio tours of Whetstone Park. The map directs you to sites while recorded messages tell you about each one. The phone number has a recording with information about each site on the map.
Grade level: 1 and up

How Natural Areas Filter Water  
Students learn about the importance of water quality for human health and agriculture. They relate their own consumption activities to the water supply and also brainstorm various threats to the water supply. By contrasting natural filters with impervious (paved) areas, students compare the impact of development on the ability of nature to provide clean freshwater.
Grade level: 6-8

Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots
Roots & Shoots is about making positive change happen for people, animals, and the environment. Get to know the 4-step Roots & Shoots Formula for identifying and completing a service campaign in your community.
Grade level:K-8

Make Paper!
Students investigate the papermaking process by trying it themselves. Students are thrilled to find that they can make paper and that their product is practical, as well as beautiful. Watch a video of the paper-making process used in this activity.
Grade level: k-8

National Energy Education Development Project (NEED)
NEED offers materials on energy use, energy efficiency, and new energy technologies and makes an ongoing effort to keep curriculum materials correlated to state standards and to the National Science Education Standards. 
Grade level: elementary-highschool

National Geographic: Will the Air Be Clean Enough To Breathe?   
Learn the interactions of factors that affect a region’s air quality.
Grade levels: 7-12

Ohio Energy Project 
Text: Check out the Ohio Energy Project website for upcoming professional development opportunities for primary teachers at www.ohioenergy.org on the topic of global climate change.
Grade level: 1-12

Project Learning Tree-Ohio  
Project Learning Tree is a comprehensive environmental education program that helps educators with balanced non-biased learning experiences for PreK through 12th grades that encompass the total environment - land, air, water, plants and animals (including humans). In order to obtain Project Learning Tree materials, teachers must attend an Educator Workshop.
Grade level: 1-12

Project WILD
Project WILD teaches young people how to think about wildlife, not what to think. Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade learn basic concepts about wild animals, their needs and importance, and their relationships to people and the environment. The hands-on, diverse activities help develop problem-solving and decision making skills in determining responsible human actions.
Grade level: varies

Reforestation: Impact on Climate
Students learn the role forests play in the carbon cycle and how it interacts with climate. 
Grade level: 6-8

Renewable Energy  
Students learn about wind and solar energy and what the pros and cons could be. 
Grade level: 6-8

Seeing the Wood for the Trees: Introduction to Sustainable Forestry
Students interact with Google Earth to identify forests that have been logged selectively versus those that have not. They also learn how to distinguish the appearance of forestry methods in satellite images. Outdoors, students create a comprehensive list of all the tree species in their own neighborhoods or local parks.
Grade level: 6-8

Project WET
The development of a water ethic can begin at an early age. Children benefit from parents, educators and mentors who recognize not only the scientific but also the social and cultural aspects of water. The core of the program is the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide for kindergarten through twelfth grades. A collection of hands-on, easy to use and fun activities incorporate a variety of formats, such as large and small group learning, whole-body activities, laboratory investigations, discussion of local and global topics and involvement in community service projects. 
Grade level: 2, 4, 6, 7

Urban Trees   
Learn how trees in an urban environment keep the temperatures down, produce oxygen, soak up carbon dioxide, and filter other pollutants. Students can identify specific tree species.  
Grade level: 6-8

Web of Life Activity
In Project Learning Tree “web of life” activity, students conduct research and simulate a food web to discover the many ways that plants and animals are connected.  Students decided to bring this activity to a new level. They took on the challenge of interpreting the activity in a way that would work for a permanent structure.
Grade level: 4-7

Will There Be Enough Fresh Water?
Students will explore the distribution and uses of fresh water on Earth. They will examine models of porosity and permeability, run experiments with computational models, and hear from a hydrologist working on the same question.
Grade level: 7-12

Bee Detective: Discover the Culprit Behind Declining Bee Populations  
Students are put at the cutting edge of research on declining bee populations. To date, Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has not been concretely attributed to any single cause. Through a variety of clues, students will conclude that CCD results from a combination of factors. Have students play the role of worker bees and the teacher can play queen bee.
Grade level: 6-8

Build a Wind Turbine  
Building a small wind turbine has never been more fun! Check out how to make it. 
Grade level: 7-12

Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center  
This comprehensive website covers team building, Earth sciences, general science education, climate and weather, history, language arts and literacy, ice cores, and biological sciences.
Grade level: 2-12

Can We Feed the Growing Planet  
Students explore the resources that make up our agricultural system. Students examine land uses and soil quality through graphs of land use and crop production and use computational models to compare the effect of different management strategies on the land.
Grade level: 7-12

Community Gardening
This resource has 59 lessons to choose from. The community gardening starts half way down the page.
Grade level: 3-12

Discovery Education
More than 30 lesson plans covering a range of topics such as Earth’s ecology, habitats of the world, frogs, pollution solutions, desert dwellers, and much more!
Grade level: K-12

Fighting Fire with Fire: Can Fire Positively Impact an Ecosystem?
In this lesson, students explore controlled burn scenarios and the positive impacts of fire on ecosystems. Students assume the role of a fire manager to develop a recommendation for a specific ecosystem, and compare and contrast how organisms in different ecosystems have adapted to fire.
Grade level: 6-8

Garbology
This interactive site takes students on a journey - into garbage. Along the way, young readers learn which items should be reused or recycled, and which should be composted. Each time a student drags a piece of trash (or a banana peel, or a can) to the right receptacle, an interesting fact appears on the screen. For example, putting the plastic bottle in the recycling calls up this bit of trivia: Americans make enough plastic each year to shrink-wrap Texas. Putting an item in the wrong bin produces comical results. A fun and engaging site, young readers will learn important lessons about our trash, and our world.
Grade level: various

GreenWalks   
Text: Columbus Green Walks is a self-guided walking map with audio tours of Whetstone Park. The map directs you to sites while recorded messages tell you about each one. The phone number has a recording with information about each site on the map.
Grade level: 1 and up

How Natural Areas Filter Water  
Students learn about the importance of water quality for human health and agriculture. They relate their own consumption activities to the water supply and also brainstorm various threats to the water supply. By contrasting natural filters with impervious (paved) areas, students compare the impact of development on the ability of nature to provide clean freshwater.
Grade level: 6-8

Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots
Roots & Shoots is about making positive change happen for people, animals, and the environment. Get to know the 4-step Roots & Shoots Formula for identifying and completing a service campaign in your community.
Grade level:K-8

Make Paper!
Students investigate the papermaking process by trying it themselves. Students are thrilled to find that they can make paper and that their product is practical, as well as beautiful. Watch a video of the paper-making process used in this activity.
Grade level: k-8

National Energy Education Development Project (NEED)
NEED offers materials on energy use, energy efficiency, and new energy technologies and makes an ongoing effort to keep curriculum materials correlated to state standards and to the National Science Education Standards. 
Grade level: elementary-highschool

National Geographic: Will the Air Be Clean Enough To Breathe?   
Learn the interactions of factors that affect a region’s air quality.
Grade levels: 7-12

Ohio Energy Project 
Text: Check out the Ohio Energy Project website for upcoming professional development opportunities for primary teachers at www.ohioenergy.org on the topic of global climate change.
Grade level: 1-12

Project Learning Tree-Ohio  
Project Learning Tree is a comprehensive environmental education program that helps educators with balanced non-biased learning experiences for PreK through 12th grades that encompass the total environment - land, air, water, plants and animals (including humans). In order to obtain Project Learning Tree materials, teachers must attend an Educator Workshop.
Grade level: 1-12

Project WILD
Project WILD teaches young people how to think about wildlife, not what to think. Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade learn basic concepts about wild animals, their needs and importance, and their relationships to people and the environment. The hands-on, diverse activities help develop problem-solving and decision making skills in determining responsible human actions.
Grade level: varies

Reforestation: Impact on Climate
Students learn the role forests play in the carbon cycle and how it interacts with climate. 
Grade level: 6-8

Renewable Energy  
Students learn about wind and solar energy and what the pros and cons could be. 
Grade level: 6-8

Seeing the Wood for the Trees: Introduction to Sustainable Forestry
Students interact with Google Earth to identify forests that have been logged selectively versus those that have not. They also learn how to distinguish the appearance of forestry methods in satellite images. Outdoors, students create a comprehensive list of all the tree species in their own neighborhoods or local parks.
Grade level: 6-8

Urban Trees   
Learn how trees in an urban environment keep the temperatures down, produce oxygen, soak up carbon dioxide, and filter other pollutants. Students can identify specific tree species.  
Grade level: 6-8

Will There Be Enough Fresh Water?
Students will explore the distribution and uses of fresh water on Earth. They will examine models of porosity and permeability, run experiments with computational models, and hear from a hydrologist working on the same question.
Grade level: 7-12

Build a Wind Turbine  
Building a small wind turbine has never been more fun! Check out how to make it. 
Grade level: 7-12

Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center  
This comprehensive website covers team building, Earth sciences, general science education, climate and weather, history, language arts and literacy, ice cores, and biological sciences.
Grade level: 2-12

Can We Feed the Growing Planet  
Students explore the resources that make up our agricultural system. Students examine land uses and soil quality through graphs of land use and crop production and use computational models to compare the effect of different management strategies on the land.
Grade level: 7-12

Community Gardening
This resource has 59 lessons to choose from. The community gardening starts half way down the page.
Grade level: 3-12

Discovery Education
More than 30 lesson plans covering a range of topics such as Earth’s ecology, habitats of the world, frogs, pollution solutions, desert dwellers, and much more!
Grade level: K-12

Garbology
This interactive site takes students on a journey - into garbage. Along the way, young readers learn which items should be reused or recycled, and which should be composted. Each time a student drags a piece of trash (or a banana peel, or a can) to the right receptacle, an interesting fact appears on the screen. For example, putting the plastic bottle in the recycling calls up this bit of trivia: Americans make enough plastic each year to shrink-wrap Texas. Putting an item in the wrong bin produces comical results. A fun and engaging site, young readers will learn important lessons about our trash, and our world.
Grade level: various

GreenWalks   
Text: Columbus Green Walks is a self-guided walking map with audio tours of Whetstone Park. The map directs you to sites while recorded messages tell you about each one. The phone number has a recording with information about each site on the map.
Grade level: 1 and up

Human Impacts on Marine Species  
Text: Students learn about three examples of human impacts on marine life: migration patterns and shipping, algal blooms and water chemistry, and marine debris. Some of these impacts are due to human activity in the ocean, and some impacts on the ocean are due to human activity on land.
Grade level: 9-12

Human Impacts on the World Ocean
Students will analyze a real-world environmental case of building an oil pipeline through British Columbia. They will explore the geographical, cultural, and environmental context of building the pipeline, identify the stakeholders and their role and impact, and map out the intended and unintended consequences of the decision they make.
Grade level: 9-12

Marine Protected Areas Exploration  
Students explore Marine Protected Areas on an interactive map and compare and contrast three case studies. They learn how the MPA classification system works in the United States, apply that system to example scenarios, and create case studies of their own.
Grade level: 9-12

Making a Decision about Building a Road in the Amazon
Students will analyze a real-world environmental case of building a road through the Amazon rain forest. They will explore the geographical, cultural, and environmental context of building the road, identify the stakeholders and their role and impact, and map out the intended and unintended consequences from the decision that they make.
Grade level: 9-12

Making a Decision about the Construction of an Oil Pipeline in British Columbia  
Students will analyze a real-world environmental case of building an oil pipeline through British Columbia. They will explore the geographical, cultural, and environmental context of building the pipeline, identify the stakeholders and their role and impact, and map out the intended and unintended consequences of the decision they make.
Grade level: 9-12

Marine Ecosystems and Biodiversity  
Text: Students explore major marine ecosystems by locating them on maps. Students use marine examples to learn about energy transfer through food chains and food webs. They discuss how food webs can illustrate the health and resilience of an ecosystem.
Grade level: 9-12

Monitoring Forest Health
Students will conduct a forest health checkup of a local forest area, will take forestry measurements, and will evaluate the ecological services provided by trees and forests.
Grade level: 9-12

National Energy Education Development Project (NEED)
NEED offers materials on energy use, energy efficiency, and new energy technologies and makes an ongoing effort to keep curriculum materials correlated to state standards and to the National Science Education Standards. 
Grade level: elementary-highschool

National Geographic: Will the Air Be Clean Enough To Breathe?   
Learn the interactions of factors that affect a region’s air quality.
Grade levels: 7-12

Ohio Energy Project 
Text: Check out the Ohio Energy Project website for upcoming professional development opportunities for primary teachers at www.ohioenergy.org on the topic of global climate change.
Grade level: 1-12

Project Learning Tree-Ohio  
Project Learning Tree is a comprehensive environmental education program that helps educators with balanced non-biased learning experiences for PreK through 12th grades that encompass the total environment - land, air, water, plants and animals (including humans). In order to obtain Project Learning Tree materials, teachers must attend an Educator Workshop.
Grade level: 1-12

Project WILD
Project WILD teaches young people how to think about wildlife, not what to think. Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade learn basic concepts about wild animals, their needs and importance, and their relationships to people and the environment. The hands-on, diverse activities help develop problem-solving and decision making skills in determining responsible human actions.
Grade level: varies

Sustainable Fisheries  
Students explore issues related to fisheries sustainability and simulate fish monitoring methods commonly used by scientists and resource managers. br /> Grade level: 9-12

Urban Runoff -Design a School Stormwater Management Plan   
This lesson introduces students to the problem of urban runoff and a variety of nature-based design ideas and solutions. Through a school mapping activity, students determine which solutions would be best suited to dealing with urban runoff on their school grounds.
Grade level: 9-12

Understanding Climate Change and Nature's Role in Creating Resilience
This explores the relationship between weather and climate. Students use real data to analyze how humans have impacted the Earth. 
Grade level: 9-12

What are Our Energy Choices
These activities examine the advantages and disadvantages of different energy sources. 
Grade level: 9-12

Will There Be Enough Fresh Water?
Students will explore the distribution and uses of fresh water on Earth. They will examine models of porosity and permeability, run experiments with computational models, and hear from a hydrologist working on the same question.
Grade level: 7-12