The Branch Archive : 2016

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A Tribute to Wangari Maathai

Kenyan environmental and political activist Wangari Maathai was the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and her story promises to inspire your students. Use this Words to Live By activity adaptation to learn about the life and lessons of Wangari Maathai, in her own words. 

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Canopy in the Clouds

This website provides an immersive video experience that presents an up-close look at a tropical montane cloud forest.  Visitors click on numbered links to access video clips and background information for teachers and information for grades 6-8 on topics such as water, weather, soils, ecology, and the science processes.  Canopy in the Clouds is also… Read more »

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FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has monitored the world’s forests at 5 to 10 year intervals since 1946. The State of the World’s Forests 2020–Forests, Biodiversity and People, examines the contributions of forests, and of the people who use and manage them, to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. For… Read more »

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Superfund for Students

At this EPA website, students can learn about four different types of hazardous waste (groundwater contamination, surface water contamination, soil contamination, and air contamination) and how to clean up each type. Later, students can test their knowledge of hazardous wastes with the Superfund Scavenger Hunt or Superfund quiz.

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Renewable Energy Documentary: Unlimited

Unlimited, a documentary by OneLight OneCamera Productions about renewable energy, highlights a group of passionate sixth-graders who call on adults everywhere to take action and address global warming. Their voices are supported by those of global warming and energy experts, who discuss upcoming and promising technologies like solar, wind, tidal power, and more. To purchase… Read more »

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Essential Energy Info

This website features essential energy information from the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council. Targeted at a nonscientific audience, the site presents facts about America’s current energy system in four main topics: energy uses, energy sources, energy costs, and energy efficiency. Teachers will find… Read more »

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EPA’s Save our Species

This free coloring book will introduce you to 21 endangered and threatened plants and animals found in the United States. Print the pages and use your crayons to bring to life oceans, swamps, deserts, islands and a variety of plants and animals. If we all work together, we can continue to share the earth with… Read more »

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Amazing Animals and Creature Features

These online resources from National Geographic for Kids present animal information in an interactive way.  Targeted at elementary students, the website features clickable facts and photos of more than 40 animal species from Adelie penguins to zebras.  Users can watch videos of the animals, find maps showing where each animal lives, and print out a… Read more »