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Showing 18 results for pollutants ...
Who Polluted the Merrimack
- Type: Lesson Plan
- Grade Levels: Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
Who polluted the Merrimack River
Less Pollution: The Best Solution
Planet Protectors: Exploring Pollution and Solutions
Tad the Tadpole
- Type: Distance Learning ... Science Labs ... Student Activities
- Grade Levels: Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Frogs are important because they help the environment by indicating stress levels in habitats and performing algae consumption in stream beds. During this program the students will learn what pollutants harm these animals and the environmental friendly ways to solve these pollution problems.
Parts Per Million
- Type: Student Activities
- Grade Levels: Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
A short demonstration to illustrate how scientists measure pollution and why small amounts have large impacts.
Is the Water Safe?
- Type: Student Activities
- Grade Levels: Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
A brief student activity to help students realize that taste and smell aren't always good indicators of pollution.
Sound Intensity & Loudness
"What's that Slippery Mess?" Water: 4-6 Grade
- Type: Lesson Plan
- Grade Levels: Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Overfishing and Fisheries Collapses
- Type: Student Activities
- Grade Levels: Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
National Park Legacy - Light Right at Night! Grades 7 - 8
- Type: Lesson Plan
- Grade Levels: Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade

The night skies division of the National Park Service promotes 6 practices that everyone can adopt and make a difference in reducing light pollution: light only where needed, light only when needed, use less light, use warm colored light, use energy efficient lamps, shield and direct lights downward.
Salamander Research Field Trip (High School)
- Type: Field Trips
- Grade Levels: High School: Ninth Grade through Twelfth Grade

Salamanders are an especially abundant and diverse group in the Great Smokies. Since salamanders breathe through their skin they are more susceptible to water and air pollution. During this study, high school students will work in groups to collect and record data in taking an inventory in monitoring many of the salamanders found in the park. The field trip packet includes pre, onsite, and post-visit activities.
Citizens Respond to an Industrial Crisis Virtual Field Trip
- Type: Distance Learning
- Grade Levels: Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
What are the rights and responsibilities of citizens when it comes to addressing a problem in their community? What civic tools do they have at their disposal and how can they apply them to bring about a solution? Students will investigate an incident of environmental pollution that impacts the health of the community and develop a strategy to address the issue through civic actions. Explore this distance learning program designed for 8th grade students.
Salamander Research Field Trip (Middle School)
- Type: Field Trips
- Grade Levels: Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade

Researchers use salamanders as a bio-indicator to help assess the health of our forests threatened by air pollution and impacts from a changing climate. When students visit the Smokies on their field trip, one group will be collecting data as part of a Salamander study. The pre, onsite, and post-visit activities in this packet will introduce the scientific method and use the identifying anatomical characteristics to key different species of salamanders.
Sharing Star Stories
- Type: Field Trips
- Grade Levels: Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Bring the night sky to your classroom with Sleeping Bear Dunes' mobile planetarium. This school visit explores how different cultures have connected with the night sky through constellations, and how light pollution threatens these connections. This program requires a large open room (like a gymnasium) that is at least 17 ft x 17 ft, and at least 12 ft high. The planetarium is accessible for students with physical disabilities.
Where the Water Begins
- Type: Student Activities ... Guest Speakers
- Grade Levels: Lower Elementary: Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade

“Where the Water Begins” is an interactive science program to understand the thermal water cycle of Hot Springs National Park. It involves several demonstrations to illustrate the geology of the Ouachita Mountains, the water cycle, the potential impact of pollution in the Hot Springs recharge zone, and hot springs ecology. The program also involves larger field activities to integrate the messages of the hot springs water cycle and the protection of the recharge zone.
- Type: Lesson Plan
- Grade Levels: Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
This activity focuses on the health effects of various sounds. Participants visit any site where both natural and man-made sounds are present. The facilitator segues into a group discussion of the variety of sounds that are present. Participants consider their own perceptions of sound and learn to identify sounds that can benefit the health of humans, then investigate how noise pollution hinders communication and discuss ways to improve or preserve the natural soundscape. Requires a facilitator
Chattahoochee's Cold Water Fisheries
- Type: Lesson Plan
- Grade Levels: Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade

Trout streams are particularly susceptible to thermal pollution, because they need to maintain cold temperatures year round. Trout streams are either well shaded or receive cold groundwater inputs. Artificial tailwater fisheries may be created at the outflow from large dams, where the size of the reservoir creates a steep temperature difference, with colder water stored at the bottom of the reservoir near the outlet. The Chattahoochee River below Buford Dam is an example of a tailwater fishery.
Graphic Fractions
- Type: Lesson Plan
- Grade Levels: Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade

The teacher will introduce the concept of voting. Lead whole group discussion of voting questions, such as "When will a woman be elected President of the United States". Poll students on a pre-selected group of issues, followed by a showing of the "graphing" video (see link). Divide the class into small groups or pairs to create graphs. Once graphs are posted around the classroom, each student will individually formulate fractions from each of the graphs for credit.