In this media-enhanced essay from NOVA Online, you can learn about the atmospheric conditions that drive weather on Earth. A complex interplay of heat, air, and water generates wind and related manifestations that ensure that no two days will ever have the same weather. Grades 9-12

In a multi-week experiment, student groups gather data from the photobioreactors that they build to investigate growth conditions that make algae thrive best. Using plastic soda bottles, pond water and fish tank aerators, they vary the amount of carbon dioxide (or nutrients or sunlight, as an extension) available to the microalgae. They compare growth in aerated vs. non-aerated conditions. They measure growth by comparing the color of their algae cultures in the bottles to a color indicator scale. Then they graph and analyze the collected data to see which had the fastest growth. Students learn how plants biorecycle carbon dioxide into organic carbon (part of the carbon cycle) and how engineers apply their understanding of this process to maximize biofuel production.

In this video segment adapted from NOVA, a meteorologist explains how an unusual weather pattern led to one of the most devastating floods of this century.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is an intriguing and publicized environmental problem. This swirling soup of trash up to 10 meters deep and just below the water surface is composed mainly of non-degradable plastics. These plastic materials trap aquatic life and poison them by physical blockage or as carriers of toxic pollutants. The problem relates to materials science and the advent of plastics in modern life, an example of the unintended consequences of technology. Through exploring this complex issue, students gain insight into aspects of chemistry, oceanography, fluids, environmental science, life science and even international policy. As part of the GIS unit, the topic is a source of content for students to create interesting maps communicating something that they will likely begin to care about as they learn more.

Students form expert engineering teams working for the (fictional) alternative energy consulting firm, Greenewables, Inc. Each team specializes in a form of renewable energy used to generate electrical power: passive solar, solar photovoltaic, wind power, low-impact hydropower, biomass, geothermal and (for more advanced students) hydrogen fuel cells. Teams produce poster presentations making a case for their technology and produce an accompanying PDF document using Adobe Acrobat that summarizes the presentation. This activity is geared towards fifth-grade and older students, and Internet research capabilities are required. Some portions of this activity may be appropriate with younger students.

The class forms a "Presidential Task Force" for a week, empowered by the president to find answers and make recommendations concerning the future of the national power grid. Task force members conduct daily debriefings with their research team and prepare a report and presentation of their findings for the president, using an actual policy document as a guide. Although this activity is geared towards fifth-grade and older students and Internet research capabilities are required, some portions may be appropriate for younger students.

Student teams locate a contaminant spill in a hypothetical site by measuring the pH of soil samples. Then they predict the direction of groundwater flow using mathematical modeling. They also use the engineering design process to come up with alternative treatments for the contaminated water.

Students discover how tiny microscopic plants can remove nutrients from polluted water. They also learn how to engineer a system to remove pollutants faster and faster by changing the environment for the algae.

This insightful lecture delves into the historical significance of Maroon Country in the Virgin Islands, an area steeped in rich and complex history. Maroon Country, known for its role as a refuge for escaped enslaved Africans, stands as a testament to the resilience and struggle for freedom that marked the era of slavery in the Caribbean. The video examines the geographical, cultural, and historical aspects of Maroon Country, highlighting its importance as a symbol of resistance and liberation. It sheds light on the lives of the Maroons, their survival strategies, and their impact on the socio-political landscape of the Virgin Islands. The narrative intertwines the struggles and triumphs of the Maroons with the broader context of Caribbean history, offering viewers a comprehensive understanding of this pivotal chapter in the Virgin Islands' past. Ideal for students, educators, and history enthusiasts, this video provides a compelling look at a crucial aspect of Caribbean heritage, encouraging a deeper appreciation and understanding of the territory's complex history.

In this video segment adapted from United Tribes Technical College, meet Native Americans who are concerned about climate change and believe that action today can help future generations once again live in harmony with Earth.

This activity simulates the extraction of limited, nonrenewable resources from a "mine," so students can experience first-hand how resource extraction becomes more difficult over time. Students gather data and graph their results to determine the peak in resource extraction. They learn about the limitations of nonrenewable resources, and how these resources are currently used.

A Historical Ecology of Slavery in the Danish WThis lecture by Justin Dunnavant at UC Santa Cruz focuses on the intersection of historical ecology and slavery in the Danish West Indies. He delves into various aspects, including the impact of the slave trade globally, archaeological methods for studying slave shipwrecks, and the ongoing relevance of archaeology in contemporary communities.

The key takeaway from this lecture is a deeper understanding of how the slave trade influenced global ecosystems and societies, particularly through the lens of historical ecology. Dunnavant emphasizes the critical role of archaeology in uncovering the material histories of enslaved peoples and how these insights can guide contemporary cultural and environmental preservation.

Pre-Watch Preparation
Contextual Background: Provide students with a background on the Danish West Indies, the transatlantic slave trade, and basic principles of archaeology and ecology. This could be in the form of a short reading assignment or a classroom lecture.
Key Vocabulary: Introduce key terms and concepts that will appear in the video, such as "historical ecology," "maritime archaeology," and "sustainable archaeology," to ensure students are not bogged down by unfamiliar terminology.

Justin Dunnavant begins the lecture by outlining his research focus on the historical ecology of slavery in the Danish West Indies, emphasizing the integration of archaeological methods with ecological awareness.

He introduces the significance of the transatlantic slave trade in shaping the economic and cultural landscapes of the Virgin Islands, with particular attention to the archaeological evidence from shipwrecks.

Dunnavant discusses his work at the Estate Little Princess, a former Danish plantation on St. Croix, describing the artifacts found and their cultural implications.

The lecture highlights the environmental impacts of slavery, such as deforestation and landscape modification, which were integral to the plantation economy.

The role of community involvement in archaeological practice is underscored, promoting an inclusive approach to studying and preserving history.

Dunnavant presents a case for sustainable archaeology that respects both cultural heritage and the natural environment, aiming to mitigate the impacts of archaeological activities.

The talk concludes with a discussion on the importance of continued research and education to further explore the complex legacies of slavery in the Caribbean.

This video segment adapted from Interactive NOVA profiles two scientists who were surprised in 1984 to discover a hole in our atmosphere's ozone layer as big as the United States.

Students review the electrical appliances used at home and estimate the energy used for each. The results can help to show the energy hogs that could benefit from conservation or improved efficiency.

Students complete three different activities to evaluate the energy consumption in a household and explore potential ways to reduce that consumption. The focus is on conservation and energy efficient electrical devices and appliances. The lesson reinforces the relationship between power and energy and associated measurements and calculations required to evaluate energy consumption. The lesson provides the students with more concrete information for completing their culminating unit assignment.

In this video segment adapted from NOVA, dramatic footage of avalanches and animations of ice crystals illustrate how a layer of weakly-bonded snow can contribute to a devastating avalanche.

In this video segment adapted from NOVA, scientists use computer simulations to explore the question of how supercell thunderstorms produce tornadoes.

This video segment adapted from KET's Where the River Bends demonstrates how climate change and glacier movement during the Ice Ages destroyed the old Teays River and created the Ohio River, Kentucky's northern border.

In this video segment adapted from the National Film Board of Canada, learn how the Inuit people have used their traditional knowledge to understand and adapt to changes in their Arctic environment, particularly when hunting and navigating the landscape.

Students capture and examine air particles to gain an appreciation of how much dust, pollen and other particulate matter is present in the air around them. Students place "pollution detectors" at various locations to determine which places have a lot of particles in the air and which places do not have as many. Quantifying and describing these particles is a first step towards engineering methods of removing contaminants from the air.