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Grade Level:
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
12+
Grade Level:
Air Quality Facts
5 - 8
Air quality facts by the American Lung Association.
Arsenic and Rice
5 - 8
An article that explains how arsenic, a naturally occurring heavy metal and poison, occurs in soil, and may be present in many foods, including rice.
Grade Level:
Impact of Pollutants on Snow and Ice
5 - 8
A 27-minute video on the impact of pollutants on snow and ice from a public learning laboratory that promotes engagement with science and the natural world.
Improving Old MacDonald's Farm: Protecting Streams From "Fruited Plains"
5 - 8
An article aimed at middle school students that addresses how runoff from agricultural activities is a leading source of water pollution, and how to limit its harmful environmental impacts.
Water Purification by Evaporation and Condensation
5 - 8
An activity that demonstrates how the water cycle helps purify water using evaporation and condensation.
Grade Level:
Improving Old MacDonald's Farm: Protecting Streams From "Fruited Plains"
5 - 8
An article aimed at middle school students that addresses how runoff from agricultural activities is a leading source of water pollution, and how to limit its harmful environmental impacts.
Nutrient Pollution
5 - 8
A two-minute video created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the growing problem of nutrient pollution.
Grade Level:
Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids: Indoor Air (English)
(196KB)
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
This fact sheet in English presents basic information about food safety issues around the home, including sources, symptoms, and avoidance strategies for Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Listeria poisonings.
Grade Level:
Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids: Indoor Air (Arabic)
(304KB)
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
This fact sheet in Arabic presents basic information about food safety issues around the home, including sources, symptoms, and avoidance strategies for Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Listeria poisonings.
Grade Level:
Toxicity Testing with California Blackworms: Alcohol
(419KB)
5 - 8
9 - 12
Toxicology is a fundamental component of the scientific study of environmental health. This classroom experiment teaches students about the basic concepts of toxicology, including dose-response and exposure, through observing the effects of a toxicant (ethanol) on the behavior of California blackworms. This teacher's guide provides background information, laboratory instructions, discussion questions, and variations and supplemental activities for conducting the experiment.
Grade Level:
Arsenic and Rice
5 - 8
An article that explains how arsenic, a naturally occurring heavy metal and poison, occurs in soil, and may be present in many foods, including rice.
Digital Interactive Notebook: Arsenic Exposure
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
Exploring the intersection of environmental health and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.
What in the World Is Arsenic? Arsenic in Our Food
5 - 8
While eating lunch, three students begin to wonder about the safety of eating foods that contain arsenic. Through their research, they will discover where arsenic is found, how it is used, and its effects on human health.
Grade Level:
Allergens and Irritants - 1998
9 - 12
12+
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences health topic on different types of substances which can trigger allergies and asthma.
Grade Level:
Guide to Plating Bacteria Using Sterile Technique - 2001
(35KB)
5 - 8
9 - 12
Bacteria are useful in a variety of classroom science experiments. This activity teaches the basic laboratory techniques for growing bacteria in Petri dishes. This guide consists of a teacher version and a student version of the instructions.
Grade Level:
BioEd Online
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
12+
BioEd Online is an online educational resource for educators, students, and parents. BioEd Online utilizes state-of-the-art technology to give you instant access to reliable, cutting-edge information and educational tools for biology and related subjects. The goal of BioEd Online is to provide useful, accurate, and current information and materials that build upon and enhance the skills and knowledge of science educators. Developed under the guidance of its expert Editorial Board, BioEd Online offers the following high-quality resources: downloadable lessons and curriculum guides, short courses, streaming video presentations, slide library, and nature science update.
Grade Level:
Bisphenol A (BPA): Use in Food Contact Application
5 - 8
Information about Bisphenol A (BPA) in food containers and packaging.
Grade Level:
What Really Causes Baldness (Hint: It's Not Your Grandpa)
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
12+
Find out what causes baldness - don't blame your grandpa, it's more complicated than that!
Grade Level:
Breast Cancer: Why the Environment Matters
(770KB)
12+
Booklet created by scientists at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to discuss the connection between cancer and exposure to toxic substances in the environment.
Good Cells Gone Bad - 2001
(102KB)
5 - 8
9 - 12
This activity teaches students about the cellular changes that lead to cancer. It provides an overview of the prevalence of cancer, cell structure, and function, and a classroom activity and worksheet that reinforce lessons about cellular structure and the differences between cancer cells and normal cells.
Report on Carcinogens (RoC)
12+
The Report on Carcinogens is a science-based, public health document created by the National Toxicology Program (NTP). The report includes 248 listings of agents, substances, mixtures and exposure instances that are known or thought to cause cancer in humans.
Grade Level:
What Could It Be, Beverly?
K - 4
5 - 8
Online story book about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Grade Level:
Careers in Environmental Health
5 - 8
9 - 12
Men and women who work in environmental public health are concerned with anything in the environment that may affect human health, from clean water to polluted air, mercury to mosquitoes. This interactive activity from Teachers Domain describes careers in different environmental public health disciplines. Learn about careers in these fields and how environmental public health professionals prevent disease, create safe environments, treat people sickened from environmental exposures, and help the public make healthy decisions.
Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory's Undergraduate Fellowships
12+
Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory offers undergraduates two 8-10 week summer research programs that provide hands-on research training in the biological and biomedical sciences: NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates, and Maine IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence.
Location
: Salisbury Cove, ME
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center's Undergraduate Program
9 - 12
12+
This program provides students with interactive and fulfilling research experience in various laboratories and with very prestigious mentors at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Location
: Smithville, TX
Grade Level:
Chemical Hazards at Home
K - 4
5 - 8
In this self-paced lesson, students learn how environmental factors affect the health of living things, including humans.
Keywords
: Chemicals, environmental health, carbon monoxide, lead, radon, pets
What's Wrong Whiskers?
K - 4
5 - 8
Online story book following the adventures of Whiskers the cat. Poisonous plants, chemicals and foods are discussed.
Grade Level:
Teen Fights for Toxic Waste Cleanup
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
In this video adapted from Earth Island Institutes New Leaders Initiative, New York student Shadia Wood tells how she became an environmental activist. Wood lives near several toxic waste sites and was concerned to learn that the New York Superfund money set aside for cleaning such sites in her state had gone bankrupt. Working with other students and environmental groups, Wood lobbied the New York legislature for eight years until the Superfund program was refinanced. Environmentalist Laura Haight says that this law was the most important environmental law passed in New York State in a decade.
Grade Level:
Community Action and the Environment - Can You Help Save the Environment?
(632KB)
9 - 12
This booklet, with an accompanying video, provides an overview of environmental pollution and ways in which citizens may contribute to the study and alleviation of pollution problems. It provides descriptions of and resources Community for four assignments that reinforce scientific methods for studying environmental problems. The first assignment encourages students to observe their local environment and think about potential sources of pollution. The second introduces the concept of disease clusters and demonstrates the concepts of probability and statistical distributions. The third assignment encourages group discussion of local environmental issues and requires students to learn about local environmental authorities and utilities. The fourth encourages critical thinking about local and global environmental problems. The booklet also includes a list of recommended printed and Internet resources.
Grade Level:
Cluster Busters: A Game of Disease Mystery Solving
(632KB)
9 - 12
A Game of Disease Mystery Solving Scenario: Dr. Wanda B. Better (Infant Pulmonary Hemorrhage)
Growth and Disease - 2001
(123KB)
9 - 12
The spread of diseases continues to be an important public health concern in the United States and abroad. Teaching accurate information about the nature and consequences of the growth and spread of disease is essential for helping students protect their own health and the health of others. This lesson aims to provide such information through four learning activities that address the following subjects: the spread of viruses, antibiotic action and microbial resistance to drugs, the spread and control of parasitic organisms, and the probability of contracting diseases. The teaching materials package includes an overview of the entire lesson and a description of the objectives, performance tasks, class structure, procedures, and evaluation of each activity.
Grade Level:
Arizona Water Quality Education Activities
5 - 8
Lesson plans and activities on water quality and nonpoint source pollution concepts for students in first through twelfth grade.
Give Water a Hand
5 - 8
Downloadable guides for middle school students about protecting and improving water resources.
Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water
5 - 8
Downloadable presentation about pharmaceuticals in drinking water that includes information on unregulated contaminants, sources, treatment, and impacts of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Safe Drinking Water is Essential
5 - 8
This Koshland Science Museum project examines the state of the world's water supply and what can be done to improve it.
Water Quality Information by Topic
5 - 8
Information on qualities and properties of water, including groundwater, wastewater, and sewage water.
Why Care About Water?
5 - 8
Two-minute film about water conservation from National Geographic.
Grade Level:
What is a Wetland Ecologist?
5 - 8
9 - 12
Wetland Ecologist Lief Sigren is interviewed and discusses what a wetland ecologist is and what he likes most about his work!
Grade Level:
EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electric Power
(6MB)
9 - 12
12+
Question and Answers on the subject of electric and magnetic fields (EMF) and how EMF compares to other forms of electromagnetic energy.
Grade Level:
Endocrine Disruptors and Your Health
(859KB)
12+
Fact sheet created by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) defining what endocrine disruptors are and how they can affect human health.
Grade Level:
PBS Learning Media - Environmental Public Health
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
12+
PBS Learning Media is a free digital media service for educational use from public broadcasting and its partners. You'll find media resources, support materials, and tools for classroom lessons, individualized learning programs, and teacher professional learning communities. The Environmental Public Health section of the website offers classroom-ready resources for middle and high school students to help examine real-world environmental perils and the role of public health.
Grade Level:
What is an Environmental Analyst?
5 - 8
9 - 12
Environmental Analyst Jim Burkhart, Ph.D. is interviewed and discusses what an environmental ecologist is and what he likes most about his work!
Grade Level:
Mama Didn't Know
K - 4
5 - 8
Online story book on the dangers of smoking while pregnant. This story looks at the long-term health effects from smoking on both the child and the entire family.
Grade Level:
What Should I Use to Clean My Shower?
9 - 12
Students will learn the essential steps in an epidemiology investigation by studying John Snow's classic investigation of the cholera epidemic in London in 1854.
Keywords
: Epidemiology, cholera, illness outbreak
Subjects
: Reading, Writing, Communication, Science, History
Grade Level:
Lemons and Onions
5 - 8
9 - 12
This entertaining and educational activity gives elementary and middle school students a hands-on lesson in evaluating environmental health problems. In a well controlled activity, students smash lemons and onions to observe what happens when they are exposed to the odors. Then they participate in a demonstration that links together the health problem, the hazard, and the people who are exposed. Afterwards they use the concept of links in a discussion about how scientists reach a conclusion that a hazard is responsible for causing health problems in people.
Grade Level:
Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids: Food Safety - 2001
(345KB)
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
This fact sheet in English presents basic information about food safety issues around the home, including sources, symptoms, and avoidance strategies for Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Listeria poisonings.
Grade Level:
Environment and Gene Interactions Cancer Module
(3MB)
9 - 12
12+
Presentation on the impact substances can have on cancer risk.
Grade Level:
What Really Causes Baldness (Hint: It's Not Your Grandpa)
5 - 8
9 - 12
Find out what causes baldness - don't blame your grandpa, it's more complicated than that!
You and Your Genes - Making it in a Tough Environment
(341KB)
5 - 8
9 - 12
Lots of things in our homes, schools and workplaces – and in wild and natural places – can cause harm sometimes. Why "sometimes"? The harm may depend on who you are - as well as what you do, what you are exposed to, and when.
Grade Level:
What is a Growth Biologist?
5 - 8
9 - 12
Growth Biologist Marta L. Fiorotto, Ph.D. is interviewed and discusses what a growth biologist is and what she likes most about her work!
Grade Level:
Mysterious Illness Outbreak Scenario
9 - 12
Students form teams that take on the roles of the professionals on the Hydroville Health Department team involved in determining the cause and control of an outbreak. Students follow the steps of an epidemiology investigation. They collect data, develop a case definition, and form a hypothesis about the cause of the outbreak. They learn data collection and analysis techniques used by such investigators, analyze simulated data, modify their case definition based on this analysis, and present their results in a press release and press conference format.
Keywords
: illness outbreak, epidemiology, pesticides, environmental health, inquiry-based, integrated curriculum, problem-based, science careers
Subjects
: Reading, Writing, Communication, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Health & fitness
Grade Level:
Why Study Indoor Air Pollution?
5 - 8
A lesson and activities that teach students in middle and high school about health effects associated with indoor air pollution.
Grade Level:
Indoor Air Quality Scenario
9 - 12
The local school board has received complaints of illness at the newly renovated Hydroville Middle School. Many people believe that this is due to poor indoor air quality. High school students participating in this problem act as a team of environmental consults to determine if there really is an indoor air quality problem in the school. Student teams present their findings at the next school board meeting.
Keywords
: indoor air quality, indoor air quality in schools, environmental health, inquiry-based, integrated curriculum, problem-based, science careers
Subjects
: Reading, Writing, Communication, Science, Geography, Health & fitness
Grade Level:
Are There Dangerous Levels of Lead in Local Soil?
5 - 8
Lessons and hands-on activities about lead in local soil.
Bradley & the Bad Pb
K - 4
5 - 8
Online story book following Bradley as he visits a doctor and discovers he has been exposed to lead. The story explores sources of lead and steps to prevent exposure.
Get the Lead Out: Your Environment, Your Health!
(941KB)
9 - 12
12+
Presentation introducing the history of lead use, methods of exposures and dangers of lead.
Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids: Heavy Metals - 2001
(188KB)
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
This fact sheet in English presents basic information about food safety issues around the home, including sources, symptoms, and avoidance strategies for Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Listeria poisonings.
How Mother Bear Taught the Children About Lead
5 - 8
An illustrated Native American folktale in which Mother Bear teaches children about lead.
Lead Poisoning
5 - 8
Educational resources about sources of lead, lead poisoning symptoms, and associated research.
Silent but Leadly: Toxicity of Lead
5 - 8
An animation about lead, its uses and the impact on human health.
Grade Level:
What is a Lung Doctor?
5 - 8
9 - 12
Lung Doctor Cindy Jumper, Ph.D. is interviewed and discusses what a lung doctor is and what she like most about her work!
Grade Level:
Mercury: Middle School Activities
5 - 8
Activities for middle school students about mercury in the environment, in schools, and at home.
Grade Level:
What is a Microbiologist?
5 - 8
9 - 12
Microbiologist Linda Holman is interviewed and discusses what a microbiologist is and what she like most about her work!
Grade Level:
University of Rochester Summer Science Camp--Microorganisms - 1999
(361KB)
9 - 12
A collection of 12 experiments and activities related to microorganisms in plant life, blood cells and skin cells, including an at-home activity. They were developed for use at the University of Rochester's 1999 Summer Science Camp for students in grades 5 through 8.
Grade Level:
EnviroMysteries: Breaking the Mold
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
This video and accompanying extensive online educational resources look at health and air pollution and empower students to take an active role in environmental issues that can affect their health today and in the future.
Keywords
: asthma, mold, air pollution, indoor air pollution, respiratory system, mystery, science, environmental health, health
Subjects
: Science, Health & fitness
Grade Level:
Stop Disasters
5 - 8
Online game that teaches students about assessing disaster risks and preparing for natural disasters.
The Story of Water in Dryville
5 - 8
Fictional story and downloadable script about establishing "Dryville," a new desert town, and the role water plays in all aspects of the process.
Grade Level:
NIEHS Press Releases and News Stories
12+
News releases from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and NIEHS-funded Researchers from 2018 to current year.
Grade Level:
Toxicity Testing with California Blackworms: Nicotine
(337KB)
5 - 8
9 - 12
Toxicology is a fundamental component of the scientific study of environmental health. This classroom experiment teaches students about the basic concepts of toxicology, including dose-response, and exposure, through observing the effects of a toxicant (nicotine) on the behavior of California blackworms. This teacher's guide provides background information, laboratory instructions, discussion questions, and variations and supplemental activities for conducting the experiment.
Grade Level:
Guide to Keeping Laboratory Notebooks - 2002
(75KB)
5 - 8
9 - 12
Easy to follow guide showing students how to keep a laboratory notebook.
Grade Level:
Nuclear Energy: the Good, the Bad, and the Debatable
(479KB)
5 - 8
9 - 12
Learn more about nuclear technology, its benefits, and its dangers.
Grade Level:
Air Pollution and Illness
5 - 8
Discussion questions, study guides, and lesson plans that address indoor and outdoor air pollution's effects on human health.
eCYBERMISSION
5 - 8
A web-based science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) competition to solve an environmental problem in the community, for students in sixth through ninth grade.
Kids Environment Kids Health
5 - 8
An online repository of digital games and educational materials related to health, science, and the environment for elementary school students, parents, and teachers.
Lesson: The Air We Breathe
5 - 8
A lesson plan and accompanying activities that teach students to identify major causes and characteristics of air pollution, and technologies developed by engineers to reduce it.
Lesson: What's Air Got to Do with It? Properties & Quality
5 - 8
Lesson plans, worksheets, and activities that teach students to identify causes, effects, and sources of air pollution, and the role of engineers in reducing pollution's harmful impacts.
There's Something in the Air
5 - 8
A lesson plan and activity that models the movement of various pollutions through the air, for students in third through fifth grade.
Trees and Air Quality
5 - 8
A hands-on activity for students in fourth through ninth grades that addresses how trees benefit air quality.
Grade Level:
Robot ZERO's Ozone Adventures
5 - 8
Well-intentioned, but misguided outer space robot ZERO comes to Earth to help humans by spraying them with ozone. There, ZERO meets a scientist who explains ZERO's mistake by helping him understand the differences between atmospheric and ground-level ozone.
Grade Level:
Causes of Poor Visibility
5 - 8
Information about the causes of haze and poor visibility from a resource that provides photographs and information on air quality conditions in the Northeastern United States.
Middle Level Science: Be Particular About Your Matter!
5 - 8
A lesson plan and activity for middle school students about particulate matter, and health risks caused by polluted air.
Grade Level:
A Zest for Pests...Pesticides, the Environment and You
5 - 8
A 13-minute video about pesticides, where they are found, how they are used, and their effects on human health.
Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids: Pest Control (English)
(310KB)
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
This fact sheet in English presents basic information about food safety issues around the home, including sources, symptoms, and avoidance strategies for Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Listeria poisonings.
Pesticide Spill Scenario
9 - 12
Students involved in the Hydroville Pesticide Spill Scenario act as members of the team of scientists and engineers that are sent to the site of a pesticide spill. Their task is to remove the liquid, evaluate the risk posed to the citizens of Hydroville, develop a proposal for complete cleanup of the site, and make a presentation about their proposal to an open meeting of the Hydroville Town Council.
Keywords
: pesticides, toxicology, dose response, integrated, environmental health, problem-based, science careers
Subjects
: Reading, Writing, Communication, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Geography, Health & fitness
Isolation of Naturally Occurring Pesticides: In this classroom experiment, students learn principles of biology, environmental science, and ecology by observing the effects on fruit flies of naturally occurring pesticides, such as those found in various spices and flowers. This teacher's guide provides background information, a list of necessary materials, preparation instructions, and recommendations for variations on the experiment.
Teacher's Guide
Student Sheets
Pesticides
5 - 8
Curated links to consumer health information about pesticides in English and Spanish, including background information, prevention and risk factors, treatments and therapies, related issues, specifics, clinical trials, journal articles, and patient handouts.
Grade Level:
Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids: Pest Control (Arabic)
(364KB)
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
This fact sheet in Arabic presents basic information about food safety issues around the home, including sources, symptoms, and avoidance strategies for Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Listeria poisonings.
Grade Level:
Studies on Radiofrequency Radiation Emitted by Cellular Phones
12+
Cell phones are currently used by 95% of American adults. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) conducted studies in rats and mice to help clarify potential health hazards from exposure to radio frequency radiation (RFR).
Grade Level:
Phthalamon: Phthalates and Your Health
5 - 8
This lighthearted animation tackles phthalates, the chemicals used to make plastics more durable and flexible, and the risks they present to human health.
Super Mallio Brothers
5 - 8
This parody on a classic video game teaches students about the dangers of the chemicals used in the production of plastics for the environment and human health.
Grade Level:
Race to Find the Cure: Isolation of Chemicals from Plant Leaves
(68KB)
9 - 12
Many important pharmaceuticals and other chemicals are derived from plants. This classroom experiment teaches students about the isolation of plant chemicals using chromatography. Students apply different mixtures of spinach extract, beet leaf extract, and food coloring to strips of filter paper; observe the separation of the components of the mixtures; and extract the isolated components from the filter paper using water. This package of materials includes a teacher's guide, student instructions and notes, and discussion questions and answers.
Grade Level:
Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids: Look-A-Likes - 2001
(209KB)
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
This fact sheet in English presents basic information about food safety issues around the home, including sources, symptoms, and avoidance strategies for Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Listeria poisonings.
Name That Poison
(113KB)
5 - 8
9 - 12
This activity sheet raises awareness and provides information about nine different poisonous substances. Users match substances with their common health effects. Background information about hazardous substances is provided.
Grade Level:
Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids: Look-A-Likes (Arabic) - 2001
(400KB)
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
This fact sheet in Arabic presents basic information about food safety issues around the home, including sources, symptoms, and avoidance strategies for Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Listeria poisonings.
Grade Level:
Farmtastic Plastic
5 - 8
In this animated adventure, Polly Mer guides Olivia through the process of "growing" plastics on a plastics farm, introducing her to concepts such as monomers and polymers in a game-like environment.
World of Plasticraft
5 - 8
Journey with Pollymer and two gameworld adventurers to a faraway land of Plasteroth. Here, leading a quest to forge the powerful Recy'clar sword, she will explain the different types of plastics and their recycling programs.
Grade Level:
Hands-on Activity: Cleaning the Air
5 - 8
An activity that teaches students to design and build a filter to model how engineers design methods of removing particulate matter from industrial sources to minimize negative effects of air pollution.
Grade Level:
Meet the Experts: Environmental Health
9 - 12
12+
Meet the people that are on the front line of our defense against environmental health problems.
Scientist Video Interviews
9 - 12
12+
Collection of scientist interviews including previous Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Dr. Ken Olden.
Grade Level:
Selected Publications
9 - 12
12+
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) prepares selected extramural publications from high impact papers published by Division of Extramural Research and Training (DERT) grantees.
Unsolved Mysteries of Human Health
9 - 12
12+
Take a virtual tour of the labs, get accurate and non-technical explanations of complex research methods and instruments, check in on real-world examples of current research and more!
Grade Level:
Risk Management - 2001
(97KB)
9 - 12
The purpose of this lesson is to investigate risk management, in order to prepare students to analyze risks and make informed choices based on their analyses. Using four learning activities, students in grades 9-12 build conceptual understanding, scientific investigation and practical reasoning while developing and using reading, writing, and mathematics.
Risk Management and Health Care - 2001
(112KB)
9 - 12
An understanding of health care is critical for maintaining one's own health. This lesson aims to identify and investigate health care issues so that students maintain good health.
Risk Management: Health Risks - 2001
(96KB)
9 - 12
An understanding of health care is critical for maintaining one's own health. This lesson aims to help students identify and investigate health risks through four learning activities that address the following subjects: common causes of death, evaluation of personal daily health risks, health risks of substance abuse, and stress and mental health. The teaching materials package includes an overview of the entire lesson and a description of the objectives, performance tasks, class structure, procedures, and evaluation of each activity.
Grade Level:
Sharon Cleans Up!
K - 4
5 - 8
Online story book with Sharon, Mabel the Moose, Bertrand the Bear and Rufus the Rabbit as they explore different types of pollution.
Grade Level:
Impact of Pollutants on Snow and Ice
5 - 8
A 27-minute video on the impact of pollutants on snow and ice from a public learning laboratory that promotes engagement with science and the natural world.
Grade Level:
Chemicals and Human Health Web Site
9 - 12
Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Lung Development Activity: Teacher's Guide and Student Sheet
Tobacco Induced Mutations - 2001
(562KB)
9 - 12
Toxicology is a fundamental component of environmental health science. This classroom activity teaches about the basic concepts of toxicology as well as the scientific method and laboratory techniques by observing the mutagenic effects of tobacco on bacteria. Students prepare plates of bacteria and observe the effects on the colonies of the addition of varying concentrations of tobacco extract. The package of materials includes a teacher's guide, student instructions, student and class (pooled) data sheets, and discussion questions.
Grade Level:
Health Topics A to Z
9 - 12
12+
List of popular health topics featured on the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences website.
Grade Level:
NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods
(87KB)
12+
Chemicals, The Environment and You: Explorations in Science Toxicology and Human Health - Students explore the relationship between chemicals in the environment and human health, utilizing basic concepts in the science of toxicology. Developed by teachers, this curriculum includes six hands-on activities that will encourage students to think about chemical exposures, dose-response, and individual susceptibility.
Teacher's Guide
Grade Level:
University of Texas's Annual Environmental Health Sciences Institute for K-12 Educators
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
12+
Description
: This free summer program offers an extensive variety of workshops for K-12 educators, pursuing the connections between health and the environment. Learn how to help students use scientific inquiry to develop an understanding of the mechanisms that affect the environment and our health. K-12 curricular materials will be featured from a network of institutions nationwide focusing on cancer, genetics, cell biology, indoor and outdoor air pollution, lead poisoning, water quality and toxicology. All workshops are facilitated by educators, scientists, and classroom teachers.
Location
: Austin, Texas, USA
Grade Level:
University of Rochester's Outreach Program at Life Science Learning Center (LSLC)
5 - 8
9 - 12
LSLC offers professional development workshops on a variety of topics to give educators experience with cutting-edge science technologies. LSLC also offers science camps to students during school breaks, and field trips for high school and middle school students.
Location
: Rochester, NY
Grade Level:
Acid Rain Students Site
5 - 8
Interactive website for middle school students that includes information about acid rain, its harmful impacts, and how to take action to reduce it.
Non-Point Source Pollution
5 - 8
An activity on Nonpoint source pollution that demonstrates how a storm drain collects water during a rainfall event, as Urban and Industrial Runoff well as the impacts on water quality in aquatic environments, such as streams, rivers, and bays.
Nonpoint Source Pollution
5 - 8
Information about nonpoint source pollution.
Streams in the City: It's a Hard (Surface) Life
5 - 8
Downloadable article about streams in urban environments.
Grade Level:
A Visit to a Wastewater Treatment Plant
5 - 8
A step-by-step guide on the water treatment process.
Grade Level:
Build Your Own Watershed
5 - 8
An animated educational video on what aquifers are, how they work, why they are important, and how to build one.
Desalination: A Solution for Our Water Needs
5 - 8
A three-minute animated video about industrial desalination as a potential solution to fresh water shortage.
The Water Cycle: Nature's Recycling System
5 - 8
Two-minute video that explains how the water cycle functions as nature's recycling system.
The Watershed Sleuth Challenge
5 - 8
A three-part course about watersheds, wetlands, and water quality.
Water
5 - 8
Fact sheet about water that includes information on the water cycle, drinking water, and environmental impacts of groundwater due to fertilizer, land-surface disturbances, landfills, and parking lot runoff.
Water + ? = Trouble
5 - 8
A documentary video series that educates students about environmental health concepts through the eyes of young television journalists chronicling the local health department's investigation of a waterborne illness.
Water Purification by Evaporation and Condensation
5 - 8
An activity that demonstrates how the water cycle helps purify water using evaporation and condensation.
Water Treatment
5 - 8
An interactive online game that teaches students about the water treatment process, and how to take appropriate action to ensure water safety for consumption.
Grade Level:
EnviroMysteries: Water +? = Trouble
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
This video and accompanying extensive print teacher resources explore how water can become polluted, consequences of and potential remedies for water pollution. Students are engaged in a mystery and learn why it is important to take an active role in environmental issues that can affect their health today and in the future.
Keywords
: water, water pollution, cholera, water cycle, water purification, mystery, science, environmental health, health
Subjects
: Science, Health & fitness
Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids: Indoor Water (English)
(269KB)
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
This fact sheet in English presents basic information about food safety issues around the home, including sources, symptoms, and avoidance strategies for Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Listeria poisonings.
Water, the Neverending Story
K - 4
5 - 8
Online story book about the water cycle and ways in which we can conserve water and keep our water clean.
Grade Level:
Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids: Indoor Water (Arabic)
K - 4
5 - 8
9 - 12
This fact sheet in Arabic presents basic information about food safety issues around the home, including sources, symptoms, and avoidance strategies for Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Listeria poisonings.
Grade Level:
Water Quality Scenario
9 - 12
The town of Hydroville is experiencing some of the social, political, and environmental problems associated with rapid growth and development. The drinking water report shows that certain pollutants in the water supply have increased significantly.Students teams investigate possible causes of the increase in contaminants in the water supply and develop remediation options that will protect the drinking water from further contamination. Students report their findings to the city council through presentations and to the community through newspaper articles and public service announcements.
Keywords
: water quality, drinking water, groundwater pollution, groundwater remediation, environmental health, inquiry-based, integrated curriculum, problem- based, science careers
Subjects
: Reading, Writing, Communication, Science, Social studies, Geography, Health & fitness
Some content courtesy of the National Library of Medicine.
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Last Reviewed: March 06, 2026