Course Materials

This is a list of the course materials I use in my Environmental Science course.  This includes assignments, labs and field activities.  Some of these change from year to year, and I don’t use every assignment each year depending on the weather, but I tried to include everything I’ve used recently.  All of these assignments are free for you to use in your classroom however you see fit, without attribution, although if you do use or modify anything I’d love to hear about it!  Because some of these assignments are modified from commercially published resources, they cannot be used in publications of any kind; they are only for classroom use.

I give some assignments using Google Classroom and others on paper, but they’ve all been replicated on Google Drive for my students who are absent or would rather type on a computer.  You can download anything from Google Drive as a Word, Powerpoint, Excel or PDF file by going to the “File” menu and selecting “Download As…”.

For those assignments that I normally give on paper, I’ve included links to the PDFs and Microsoft Word documents.  All of these assignments are designed so that they can be completed online or on paper, although the field and lab activities are much better on paper.  If you have any questions, please contact me at ccarman *at* kentschools *dot* net!

Please note: I’ve reorganized these materials and developed lesson plans for each assignment that are aligned to Ohio’s Environmental Science Standards.  Everything is available on Google Drive here: Mr. Carman’s Environmental Science Curriculum & Lesson Plans

Each unit is two weeks long except where otherwise noted.  Each unit has a 10-question multiple choice quiz.

Ohio Standards for Environmental Science acronym key:

  • ES = Earth Systems: Interconnected Spheres of Earth
  • ER = Earth’s Resources
  • GEPI = Global Environmental Problems and Issues

Link in # column goes to lesson plan; link in Assignment column goes to assignment Google Doc, PDF or Microsoft Word document.

1st Quarter:

# Unit Assignment Ohio Standard(s)
1-1 History of Environmentalism What’s Important to You? GEPI: Sustainability
1-2 History of Environmentalism “Return of the Cuyahoga” Video WS [PDF] [DOC] GEPI: Potable water quality; ER: Water & water pollution; ER: Clean Water Act; ER: Point source etc.
1-3 History of Environmentalism Ecological Footprint ER: Energy resources; ER: Greenhouse gases; ER: Land use; GEPI: Sustainability
1-4 History of Environmentalism Environmental History Timeline Depends on topic selected by student
1-5 History of Environmentalism Environmentalist Profile Depends on topic selected by student
Q-1 History of Environmentalism Quiz #1: History of Environmentalism See above
2-1 Pollution Mapping Pollution: Part 1 & Part 2 [PDF] [DOC] ER: Air pollution; ER: Point source & non-point source contamination; ER: Solid & hazardous waste; GEPI: Air quality; GEPI: Waste management
2-2 Pollution Pollution Pictures ER: Air pollution; ER: Point source & non-point source contamination; ER: Solid and hazardous waste
2-3 Pollution “I Fought the Law!” (Pollution Laws) Depends on topic selected by student
2-4 Pollution Pollutants in the Body Poster ER: Primary and secondary contaminants; ER: water quality; ER: Solid and hazardous waste; ER: Air quality
2-5 Pollution Pollution in Our Neighborhood (EPA.gov Activity) ER: Air pollution; ER: water pollution; ER: Sediment contamination; ER: Solid and hazardous waste; GEPI: Potable water quality; GEPI: Air quality; GEPI: Waste management
Q-2 Pollution Quiz #2: Pollution See above
3-1 Water Water Usage at Home GEPI: Potable water quality, use and availability; GEPI: Sustainability
3-2 Water Tree Benefits analysis & data sheet [PDF] [DOC] ES: Biodiversity; ER: Greenhouse gases; ER: non-point source contamination; GEPI: Potable water quality, use and availability; ES: Ecosystems
3-3 Water What is a Watershed? [PDF] [DOC] ES: Surface and groundwater flow patterns and movement; ER: non-point source contamination
3-4 Water Purification of Water Lab ER: Water and water pollution
3-5 Water Water Saving Tip Group Presentation GEPI: Potable water quality, use and availability; GEPI: Sustainability
Q-3 Water Quiz #3: Water See above
4-1 Metrics Citizen’s Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) Form [PDF] & directions ES: Biodiversity; ES: Surface and groundwater flow patterns and movement; ER: Water and water pollution; ER: Hypoxia, eutrophication
4-2 Metrics Water Quality Index WS [PDF] [DOC] & directions ES: Surface and groundwater flow patterns and movement; ER: Water and water pollution; ER: Hypoxia, eutrophication
4-3 Metrics Stream Study Simulation [PDF] [DOC] & resources ES: Biodiversity; ER: Water and water pollution; GEPI: Deforestation and loss of biodiversity
4-4 Metrics Stream Metrics Review Summarizes topics in Unit 4
Q-4 Metrics Quiz #4: Metrics See above
5-1 1st Quarter Project 1st Quarter Project – directions, exploration Summarizes topics in Units 1-4
5-2 1st Quarter Project 1st Quarter Project – worth 3 assignments Summarizes topics in Units 1-4
5-3 1st Quarter Project 1st Quarter Project – reflection Summarizes topics in Units 1-4

 

2nd Quarter:

# Unit Assignment Ohio Standard(s)
6-1 Wetlands Wetlands Webquest ES: Biodiversity; ES: Surface and groundwater flow patterns and movement; ES: Biogeochemical cycles; ER: Water and water pollution; ER: Mass wasting and erosion; ER: Land use and land management; ER: Endangered species; GEPI: Potable water quality, use and availability; GEPI: Deforestation and loss of biodiversity
6-2 Wetlands ORAM Field Form for Wetlands [PDF], long form [PDF] & manual [PDF] ES: Biodiversity; ES: Surface and groundwater flow patterns and movement; ER: Mass wasting and erosion; ER: Land use and land management; ER: Endangered species
6-3 Wetlands Virtual Wetlands Lab ES: Biodiversity; ER: Land use and land management
6-4 Wetlands “Braving Iraq” Video WS [PDF] [DOC] & alternate assignment ES: Biodiversity; ES: Ecosystems; ES: Surface and groundwater flow patterns and movement; ER: Potable water and water quality; ER: Desertification; ER: Wildlife and wilderness; GEPI: Potable water quality, use and availability; GEPI: Sustainability; GEPI: Species depletion and extinction; GEPI: Food production and availability
6-5 Wetlands Local Wetland Profile Presentation ES: Ecosystems; ER: Land use and land management
Q-6 Wetlands Quiz #6: Wetlands See above
7-1 Global Warming & Climate Change The Basics of Global Warming & Climate Change ES: Ecosystems; ES: Atmosphere; ES: Cryosphere; ES: Climate and weather; ER: Greenhouse gases; GEPI: Climate change; GEPI: Sustainability; GEPI: Species depletion and extinction
7-2 Global Warming & Climate Change Greenhouse Effect Lab [PDF] [DOC] ES: Atmosphere; ES: Climate and weather; ES: Greenhouse gases; GEPI: Climate change
7-3 Global Warming & Climate Change “An Inconvenient Truth” Movie WS [PDF] [DOC] GEPI: all
7-4 Global Warming & Climate Change Climate Change PechaKucha Presentation & topics [PDF] [DOC] GEPI: depends on topic selected by student
7-5 Global Warming & Climate Change Solutions to Climate Change GEPI: Climate change; GEPI: Sustainability
Q-7 Global Warming & Climate Change Quiz #7: Global Warming & Climate Change See above
8-1 Natural Resources Natural Resources Lotus Diagram [PDF] [DOC] ER: Energy resources; GEPI: Sustainability
8-2 Natural Resources Response to “30 Days: In a Coal Mine” Video ER: Energy resources; ER: Air and air pollution; ER: Land use and land management; GEPI: Sustainability
8-3 Natural Resources Oil Group Presentation ER: Energy resources; ER: Air and air pollution; ER: Land use and land management; GEPI: Climate change; GEPI: Sustainability
8-4 Natural Resources “Gasland” Movie WS [PDF] [DOC] ER: Energy resources; ER: Air and air pollution; ER: Water and water pollution; ER: Land use and land management; GEPI: Climate change; GEPI: Sustainability
8-5 Natural Resources Natural Resources in the News [PDF] [DOC] ER & GEPI: depends on topic selected by student
Q-8 Natural Resources Quiz #8: Natural Resources See above
9-1 Holidays Recycled Paper Ornaments Lab [PDF] [DOC] GEPI: Sustainability
9-2 Holidays Greening the Holidays GEPI: Sustainability
9-3 Holidays Pointless Product Competition ER: Solid and hazardous waste; GEPI: Sustainability
10-1 2nd Quarter Project 2nd Quarter Project: directions, exploration Summarizes topics in Units 6-8
10-2 2nd Quarter Project 2nd Quarter Project – worth 3 assignments Summarizes topics in Units 6-8
10-3 2nd Quarter Project 2nd Quarter Project: reflection Summarizes topics in Units 6-8

 

3rd Quarter:

# Unit Assignment Ohio Standard(s)
11-1 Population Growth Visualizing Population Growth ES: Population dynamics; GEPI: Human population; GEPI: Sustainability; GEPI: Food production and availability
11-2 Population Growth Cemetery Demographics: data sheet [PDF] [DOC], questions & spreadsheet [XLS] ES: Population dynamics; GEPI: Human population
11-3 Population Growth Population Growth by Country ES: Population dynamics; GEPI: Human population; GEPI: Sustainability
11-4 Population Growth “Soylent Green” Video WS [PDF] [DOC] & alternate assignment ER: Resource availability; ER: Human population; GEPI: Sustainability; GEPI: Species depletion and extinction; GEPI: Food production and availability; GEPI: Waste management
11-5 Population Growth Solutions to Population Growth ES: Population dynamics; ER: Resource availability; GEPI: Human population; GEPI: Sustainability
Q-11 Population Growth Quiz #11: Population Growth See above
12-1 Biodiversity & Species Loss Biodiversity of Habitats Activity [PDF] [DOC] ES: Biosphere; ER: Wildlife and wilderness; GEPI: Species depletion and extinction; GEPI: Deforestation and loss of biodiversity
12-2 Biodiversity & Species Loss Habitat Loss in Google Earth [PDF] [DOC] ES: Biodiversity; ES: Ecosystems; ES: Population dynamics; ER: Resource availability; ER: Mining and resource extraction; ER: Land use and land management; ER: Wildlife and wilderness; GEPI: Species depletion and extinction; GEPI: Deforestation and loss of biodiversity
12-3 Biodiversity & Species Loss Ohio Wildlife Trivia Game & supporting documents ES: Biodiversity; ES: Ecosystems; ES: Population dynamics; ER: Endangered species
12-4 Biodiversity & Species Loss Ohio’s Invasive Species Online Discussion ES: Biodiversity; ES: Ecosystems; ES: Population dynamics; ER: Land use and land management; ER: Wildlife and wilderness; GEPI: Species depletion and extinction; GEPI: Food production and availability; GEPI: Deforestation and loss of biodiversity
12-5 Biodiversity & Species Loss Endangered Species Poster Project ES: Biodiversity; ER: Endangered species; GEPI: Species depletion and extinction
Q-12 Biodiversity & Species Loss Quiz #12: Biodiversity & Species Loss See above
13-1 Food & Agriculture What the World Eats [PDF] [DOC] & supporting pictures ER: Land use and land management; GEPI: Food production and availability
13-2 Food & Agriculture Agriculture in Ohio [PDF] [DOC] & supporting documents ER: Land use and land management; GEPI: Food production and availability
13-3 Food & Agriculture “Food Machine” Video WS [PDF] [DOC] ES: Surface and groundwater flow patterns and movement; ES: Energy transformations; ER: Potable water and water quality; ER: Land use and land management; GEPI: Human population; GEPI: Potable water quality, use and availability; GEPI: Sustainability; GEPI: Species depletion and extinction; GEPI: Food production and availability
13-4 Food & Agriculture Food Choices and the Environment [PDF] [DOC] ES: Energy transformations; GEPI: Climate change; GEPI: Sustainability; GEPI: Food production and availability
13-5 Food & Agriculture Greening a Recipe Presentation GEPI: Climate change; GEPI: Sustainability; GEPI: Food production and availability
13-6? Food & Agriculture Water Bottle Planters GEPI: Food production and availability
Q-13 Food & Agriculture Quiz #13: Food & Agriculture See above
14-1 Rocks, Soils & Biocycles Rock Show & Tell ES: Lithosphere
14-2 Rocks, Soils & Biocycles Soil Tests Lab [PDF] [DOC], supporting documents & directions ES: Lithosphere; ES: Surface and groundwater flow patterns and movement; ES: Biogeochemical cycles; ER: Soil and land
14-3 Rocks, Soils & Biocycles “Dirt! The Movie” Video WS [PDF] [DOC] & alternate assignment ES: Biosphere; ES: Lithosphere; ES: Hydrosphere; ES: Movement of matter and energy; ER: Resource availability; ER: Mining and resource extraction; ER: Soil and land; ER: Wildlife and wilderness management; GEPI: Human population; GEPI: Climate change; GEPI: Sustainability; GEPI: Species depletion and extinction; GEPI: Food production and availability; GEPI: Deforestation and loss of biodiversity
14-4 Rocks, Soils & Biocycles Web Soil Survey & directions ES: Biosphere; ES: Lithosphere; ES: Hydrosphere; ER: Land use and land management; GEPI: Food production and availability
14-5 Rocks, Soils & Biocycles Dirt Crayons Lab ES: Lithosphere
Q-14 Rocks, Soils & Biocycles Quiz #14: Rocks, Soils & Biocycles See above
15-1 3rd Quarter Project 3rd Quarter Project Exploration Summarizes topics in Units 11-14
15-2 3rd Quarter Project 3rd Quarter Project directions – worth 3 assignments Summarizes topics in Units 11-14
15-3 3rd Quarter Project 3rd Quarter Project Reflection Summarizes topics in Units 11-14

 

4th Quarter:

# Unit Assignment Ohio Standard(s)
16-1 Alternative Energy Alternative Energy Prezi ES: depends on topic selected by student; ER: Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and efficiency; ER: Alternate energy sources and efficiency; GEPI: Climate change; GEPI: Sustainability
16-2 Alternative Energy The Wedges Game [PDF] [DOC] & directions ER: Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and efficiency; ER: Alternate energy sources and efficiency; GEPI: Climate change; GEPI: Sustainability
16-3 Alternative Energy Alternative Energy in the News ER: Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and efficiency; ER: Alternate energy sources and efficiency; GEPI: Climate change; GEPI: Sustainability
16-4 Alternative Energy Wind Turbine Competition ER: Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and efficiency; ER: Alternate energy sources and efficiency; GEPI: Sustainability
16-5 Alternative Energy Alternative Energy & Climate Change Simulation ER: Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and efficiency; ER: Alternate energy sources and efficiency; GEPI: Human population; GEPI: Climate change; GEPI: Sustainability
Q-16 Alternative Energy Quiz #16: Alternative Energy See above
17-1 Sustainability “Lazy Environmentalist” Video Activity depends on topic selected by student; GEPI: Sustainability
17-2 Sustainability Green Business Profile depends on topic selected by student; GEPI: Sustainability
17-3 Sustainability Model Eco-Home ER: Alternate energy sources and efficiency; GEPI: Sustainability
17-4 Sustainability World Simulation: directions [PDF] [DOC], flowchart [PDF] [DOC] & log sheet [PDF] [DOC] ER: Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and efficiency; ER: Resource availability; GEPI: Human population; GEPI: Sustainability; GEPI: Food production and availability
17-5 Sustainability World Simulation Reflection ER: Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and efficiency; ER: Resource availability; GEPI: Human population; GEPI: Sustainability; GEPI: Food production and availability
Q-17 Sustainability Quiz #17: Sustainability See above
18-1 Action Online Petition for Change depends on topic selected by student; GEPI: Sustainability
18-2 Action Earth Day Geocaching Activity [PDF] [DOC] GEPI: Sustainability
18-3 Action Response to “Dirty Jobs: Brown Before Green” ER: Solid and hazardous waste; GEPI: Sustainability; GEPI: Waste management
18-4 Action Green Job Profile Presentation & Ohio EPA Career Resources [PDF] depends on topic selected by student; GEPI: Sustainability
18-5 Action Invasive Species Removal ES: Biodiversity
18-6? Action Leaf Poster for Earth Day ES: Biodiversity
Q-18 Action Quiz #18: Earth Day & Action See above
19-1 Fun Activities Kill-a-Watt Lab [PDF] [DOC] ER: Energy resources; ER: Greenhouse gases; GEPI: Climate change; GEPI: Sustainability
19-2 Fun Activities Polychromic Polymers Lab [PDF] [DOC] ER: Solid and hazardous waste; GEPI: Sustainability
19-3 Fun Activities Plastics by the Numbers Lab [PDF] [DOC] GEPI: Sustainability; GEPI: Waste management
20-1 Final Project Final Project Proposal Summarizes topics throughout school year
20-2 Final Project Final Project Directions – worth 3 assignments Summarizes topics throughout school year
20-3 Final Project Final Project Sharing Summarizes topics throughout school year
21-1 Hiram Field Trip Hiram Field Trip Reflection / Make-up Solo Metrics Reflection ES: Biosphere; ES: Surface and groundwater flow patterns and movement; ER: Water and water pollution; ES: Land use and land management; ER: Wildlife and wilderness management; GEPI: Potable water quality, use and availability; GEPI: Deforestation and loss of biodiversity
21-2 Hiram Field Trip Invertebrate Community Index (ICI) Form [PDF] & flowchart of macroinvertebrates [PDF] – completed by group at Hiram See #21-1
21-3 Hiram Field Trip Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) Form [PDF] & directions – completed by group at Hiram See #21-1
21-4 Hiram Field Trip Water Quality Index WS [PDF] [DOC] & directions – completed by group at Hiram See #21-1
21-5 Hiram Field Trip ORAM Field Form for Wetlands [PDF], long form [PDF] & manual [PDF] – completed by group at Hiram See #21-1

 

All Assignments

Assignments with an asterisk (*) were not used in the 2016-2017 school year