About This Lesson
In this unit, students will focus on how humans can preserve and protect the many natural resources we use for modern life—for agriculture, transportation, industry, and daily needs. Students learn about our protection of
- water resources,
- air and atmospheric health, and
- taking care of the land.
Our use of water, air, and land can have negative effects on the environment, even when the resources are helpful to people across the world.
The erosion of land, acid rain, and air and water pollution are just some of the consequences that may result from the use of natural resources by a growing population. We can, however, draw upon scientific principles to monitor and protect the environment.
Students become aware that, through scientific practices and technology, we can detect when air, water, land, and ecosystems are changing, and when they might be threatened. By applying scientific ideas, we can act to protect Earth’s resources and our environment.
This is a problem-based unit, which means that students build up, over the course of all the lessons, to a culminating capstone activity. Every lesson is designed to help students publish or present their findings to their community.
Number of Lessons: 15
Instruction Time:
- Each Lesson is designed to be completed in one 30–45-minute class period. Some lessons may take more than one class period.
- Some single-day activities and performance tasks might require setting aside a longer block of time.
- This Unit should be completed in 17 classroom days.