Resource Library

Using raw data from the USGS, students will learn how scientists properly collect, analyze, and interpret findings using datasets Microsoft Excel. The curriculum also introduces students to themes of ecotoxicology and Bald Eagle populations from 1969-2000.

This lesson examines temperature data over ten years.  Students use a statistical analysis technique, the moving average, to search for meaningful trends in the raw temperature data.

This lesson plan uses growth rate data from countries around the world.  In the exercise, students graph population growth, calculate how long it takes a country's population to double in size and investigate factors affecting global growth rate.

This lab exercise allows students to explore an ecosystem's plant diversity and to mathematically determine the dominant vegetation, and to estimate the relative presence of the invasive species in the study area.

Try new ways of incorporating environmental education in math and statistics classes. Random sampling is a technique used by scientists and statisticians alike. This activity shows students how ecologists and wildlife managers use random sampling to scientifically estimate population levels within a designated area.

This is a standard activity used to demonstrate how wildlife managers estimate populations with recapture practices. By using a trap - mark - release - trap method, scientist can very accurately predict a popualtion size within a given area.

Many areas of the United States are continuing to see an increased population with individuals relocating to cities with more promising jobs and opportunities. Rapid growth or status as a "boom town" can make a move to these areas very lucrative and beneficial for some families.

This video, produced by The Weather Channel and Forecast Earth, shows that although it appears that weather has been stronger in recent years, in order to determine its place in historical contexts you must look at a larger sample of weather.

Climographs are a graphic way of displaying climate information; specifically, average temperature and precipitation. They are a valuable tool in studying climate, but also can be used to infer connections between climate and human conditions. In this lesson by National Geographic, students learn about how to read, analyze, and construct climographs.

Although fire is a natural part of many ecosystems, this lesson plan focuses on the causes of wildland fire and the amount of acres burned. The lesson plan presents statistics from one wildfire season. Students examine the data and discuss what information it conveys. Students then determine the best way to graph the data for presentation.