In this activity, students will use a simple sampling method to determine if invasive species impact other plants and animals in the forest. This activity focuses on garlic mustard, but the same procedure can also be used with other invasive plants in different habitats. Note: This activity can also be simulated in the classroom with different kinds of leaves to represent different plants.

This set of graphs from the Web site for the NOVA/FRONTLINE Special Report: "What's Up with the Weather?" reveals how atmospheric carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides from the burning of fossil fuels have climbed over time. The graphs show data collected during the study of ice core samples and are featured in the article "Stories in the Ice." Supplemental resources, including a background essay and discussion questions, are also provided.

This multimedia resource, part of the NC Science Now series, describes researchers at Duke are using an innovative method to track Gray Seals and determine where and how often seals eat. The study will also provide information about how humans interact with these animals and how that affects their sustainability over the long term. Components of this resource include a video, a related blog article, and an interview with a marine conservation biologist. Links to these components are provided on the page under the heading "UNC-TV Media."

This lesson plan supplements the multimedia resource, part of the NC Science Now series, which describes the restoration of historic Pinehurst #2 golf course, site of the 2014 U.S. Open. In this lesson, students will identify grasses and other plants that are native to North Carolina, and compare them to popular non-native plants. They will also identify and explain the advantages of using native plants for a golf course.

In this case study, students will be introduced to active conservation work going on in Africa. Set against the restoration of war-torn Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, The Guide tells the story of a young man from the local community who discovers a passion for science after meeting world-renowned biologist E.O. Wilson. Produced by Academy Award winning filmmaker Jessica Yu, the film weaves themes in conservation biology and environmental science, the value of scientific mentorship, and the social and economic realities of wilderness restoration. The film and accompanying resources serve as a case study in ecology and conservation biology.

In this role-playing activity, students take on the roles of members of a forest ecosystem to illustrate the challenges facing endangered species, environmental stewards and economic interests.

Students will learn how wildlife conservationists in Costa Rica are teaming up with law enforcement to catch poachers by using 3D-printed plastic eggs with GPS trackers. Using the invention process, students will research different ways to curb poaching of wildlife and design their own prototypes to help solve this global issue.

This activity can be used as a way to introduce students to human impact or as a follow-up once essential standard 2.2 has been covered in class. This activity works best if done by groups of 2-3 students. People have many misconceptions about the Earth and things that affect the Earth. For this project, students will identify one misconception people have about the Earth or environment and work in a group to create a video/brochure/online media that can be published to address this misconception. A misconception isn’t a factual error or indication that a person is not educated; it is a misunderstanding about how something works. This lesson was developed by NCDPI as part of the Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted Instructional Resources Project. This lesson plan has been vetted at the state level for standards alignment, AIG focus, and content accuracy.

In this activity, students will use trail camera data to answer a scientific research question about the impacts of humans on species diversity in Gorongosa.

Students use a variety of media to discuss and analyze human-related pressures upon marine ecosystems and resources.

Students learn about three examples of human impacts on marine life: migration patterns and shipping, algal blooms and water chemistry, and marine debris. Some of these impacts are due to human activity in the ocean, and some impacts on the ocean are due to human activity on land.

Students are introduced to the idea that humans have enormous impacts on marine ecosystems and resources, and explore the stakeholders involved.

Human Population GrowthGiving us credit when you use our content and technology is not just important for legal reasons. When you provide attribution to CK-12 Foundation, you support the ability of our non-profit organization to make great educational experiences available to students around the world.Our Creative Commons License welcomes you to use our content and technology when you give us attribution. If you have any questions about our policies, contact us at support@ck12.org

Human PopulationsGiving us credit when you use our content and technology is not just important for legal reasons. When you provide attribution to CK-12 Foundation, you support the ability of our non-profit organization to make great educational experiences available to students around the world.Our Creative Commons License welcomes you to use our content and technology when you give us attribution. If you have any questions about our policies, contact us at support@ck12.org

Students watch videos to examine ways that human actions can throw a marine ecosystem out of balance and lead to species decline. Then they brainstorm a list of stakeholders and generate questions about them.

This multimedia resource, part of the NC Science Now series, outlines how the population of lionfish, an invasive species, has been spreading north since its introduction in the 1980s off Florida, collapsing the reef food webs and reducing the area of the coral reefs. Lionfish have no known predators and a rapid reproduction rate, which is why they are taking over and reducing the overall biodiversity of NC reef ecosystems. Components of this resource include a video, related text articles, and an interview with a NC marine ecologist. Links to these components are provided on the page under the heading "UNC-TV Media."

Students will learn how scientists are using a new invention, a lionfish zapping robot, to combat this harmful invasive species. Students will learn about the invention process, including researching an invasive species and designing their own invention to help deal with the problem.

In this lesson, students will learn about the effects of deforestation on the carbon cycle, climate and the environment. In the second part of the lesson, students use the Global Forest Cover data tool developed by the World Resources Institute to conduct their own research on changes in forest cover.

Students will use online videos and photo galleries to conduct a virtual bolus dissection for the Laysan albatross and learn how marine debris can be mistaken for food and harm marine organisms.

This brief video lesson discusses the environmental impact of a t-shirt being made. Discussion/assessment questions and suggested supplemental resources are also included.