Activities and Lesson Plans
"Kids deserve the right to think that they can change the world." – Lois Lowry
HOW TO FIND THE LESSON PLANS AND ACTIVITIES YOU’RE LOOKING FOR:
Are you looking for a specific topic, lesson plan, or activity? Search using keywords (ie “K-3” “Plastic” etc.) or click on the link at the top of each entry below (ie “Lesson Plan” “Activity” “Grade Level” etc.) to find similar resources.
Community Science Toolkit
This tool kit serves as a resource to help students participate in real scientific research. Students will collect information, investigate questions, and contribute to scientific discussions. The toolkit includes activities, reading passages, worksheets, and examples that guide students through the process of becoming citizen scientists. It is divided into sections that introduce citizen science, encourage students to act, and provide ways to extend student learning.
Rapid Trash Assessment
The Rapid Trash Assessment lesson teaches students how trash and pollution affect the environment. Students will create a model watershed to observe how water carries pollutants to local waterways. Then a trash survey is conducted to assess the types and amounts of litter and consider the impacts on the environment. Students will identify patterns and discuss possible solutions to limit the amount of litter in the environment.
Plastic Audit
In this activity, students conduct a plastic audit to explore how much plastic waste is produced in their classroom, lunchroom, or school. They sort, count, and weigh plastic items to identify recyclable and non-recyclable waste and better understand how plastic pollution affects local waterways. The activity encourages students to recognize their environmental impact and discover ways to reduce plastic use in their daily lives.
Plastic Pollution Curriculum and Activity Guide
This is a hands-on educational curriculum and activity guide that teaches students about plastic pollution, waste, and effects on wildlife and aquatic ecosystems. It includes a variety of activities for grades K-12 that help students explore topics like recycling, plastic identification, pollution source, and ways to reduce plastic waste.
Small Actions, Big Impacts Pollution Prevention Unit
This three-lesson unit provides hands-on activities aligned with NGSS and California ELA standards for kindergarten through 3rd Grade. Students will work through a visual model of pollution and then complete a writing assignment describing the small actions they can participate in that help to prevent pollution.