: Environmental Problem Solving :
: back to Schoolcamp curriculum :
This program sharpens students’ critical thinking skills, as they learn about human impacts on the environment and hypothesize possible solutions to problems. This lesson investigates ways in which earth’s resources may be used sustainably.
Objectives for the Environmental Problem Solving Lesson
- Explain ways that humans impact the planet.
- Explore local environmental problems and hypothesize solutions.
- Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources.
- Cite ways in which they can help reduce their own impact on the planet.
Science Standards Covered by Environmental Problem Solving
Grade Five
Earth and Space Sciences
C.5 Explain how the supply of many non-renewable resources is limited and can be extended through reducing, reusing and recycling but cannot be extended indefinitely.
C.6 Investigate ways Earth’s renewable resources can be maintained.
Science and Technology
A.1 Investigate positive and negative impacts of human activity and technology on the environment.
B.3 Explain how the solution to one problem may create other problems.
Grade Six
Physical Sciences
C.5 Explain that the energy found in nonrenewable resources such as fossil fuels originally came from the sun and may renew slowly over millions of years.
C.6 Explain that energy derived from renewable resources such as wind and water is assumed to be available indefinitely.
C.7 Describe how electric energy can be produced from a variety of sources.
C.8 Describe how renewable and nonrenewable energy resources can be managed.
Science and Technology
A.2 Explain how decisions about the use of products and systems can result in desirable or undesirable consequences.
