Lesson Plans on Science, Values, and Society

This site contains lesson plans created by teachers in the Boulder Vallery School Distict, Boulder, CO over the 2003/2004 school year. The plans were developed as part of a workshop sponsored by the National Science Foundation to expose teachers to current developments in Earth system science and to have them create teaching materials that integrate ethics and values with science, and explore the difference between field and lab science.

Unit Earth Builders : An Integrated Study of the Uses of Earth Materials
Teacher prep time for the unit: 2 to 3 hours

Activity

Expore the school building/area to discover the variety of Earth materials used 30 to 45 minutes

Activity

 Investigate the uses of Earth materials throughout human history 30 to 45 minutes

Activity

 Build mini dwellings out of Earth materials 30 to 45 minutes

Activity

 Observe and record what happens to the structures over time and as a result of the weather 30 to 45 minutes

 

Unit Dinosaurs and Fossils

Activity

Excavation Dig Teacher prep: 1 hour; student time: 2 hours

 

Unit Every drop of water counts!

Activity

 What is life without water? 45 minutes for class activity

Activity

 Wetland Safari! Field trip to wetlands will vary - at least one hour is recommended

 

Unit Rocks and Minerals

Activity

Investigating erosion Teacher prep: 2 hours, student time: 4 hours

1

Unit Earth Materials

Activity

 Three Main Rock Groups Preparation: 1 - 2 hours; student activity: 30 - 45 minutes for each rock activity

Unit Sources and Properties of Water and Water Conservation

Activity

 Types of Mining and Effects on Environment Day 1: 60 - 75 minutes. Day 2: 45 - 60 mintues

2

Unit Rocks and Mining

Activity

 Mining Simulation

Preparation time: About 4 hours
Student time: 3 days, 45- 50 minutes per class

 

Unit Ecology of the Front Range of Colorado

Activity

 Water Cycle Column Preparation: 45 mintues, student time: 75 minutes

Unit Endangered Species Furniture Painting Project

Activity

 Endangered Species Furniture Painting Project 6 weeks


Unit Soil, Water, and Erosion Using a Stream Table

Activities

Preparation: 1 hour to set up an existing stream table and gather supplies.

Student time: 10 to 15 minutes for each activity

3

Unit Colorado Water, Water Rights and Ditches

Activity

 Using a Ditch Map to Understand Water Use and History 1 week for preparation and class time

Unit Local History and the Environment Depicted Through Art

Activity

 Creating Artwork to Explain Environmental Change 1 week for preparation and class time

Unit How We Use Our Environment - What This Indicates About Our Values

Activity

 Defining Values Preparation time: 60 minutes, student time : 45 minutes

Activity

 The Power of Words - How They Reflect Our Attitudes and Values 45 minutes

Activity

 Science and Values: Using Science to Shape Our Future Preparation: 60 minutes

Activity

 Life out of Balance - Viewing the film “Koyaanisqatsi"

Preparation: 30 minutes plus previewing film (87 minutes). Student time: 87 minutes to view film, homework, and 45 minutes to discuss film