Resource Library

In the early 19th century, the Lewis and Clark's Expedition was charged by President Jefferson to map the Louisiana Purchase. During their exploration, they also collected and recorded plant and animal species, kept detailed records of the diversity of life, drew and painted examples of the plant and animals, and named these newly identified species. Students will focus on a two- week period in 1804, and select one plant and one animal species to research. They will draw each plant and animal species and create a journal entry for each item. From the Kennedy Center's ArtsEdge.

Learn creative ways to integrate environmental issues into your classroom lessons. This Web site offers teacher resources, opportunities for field studies, training and funding. Resources are searchable by multiple fields including subject and level. Subjects span all disciplines, from art to mathematics.

Students use a digital camera to document local landscapes, identify the various ways in which land is used in their local community/environment and identify and discuss the environmental and social impacts of the different land uses.

Students examine Hispanic folk traditions, the influences of the natural environment on the folklife and folk arts of the Rio Grande region and experience Hispanic cultural traditions by participating in related activities. While not designed for a specific grade level, content can be adapted to various levels.

This resource introduces students to the basic principles of landscape painting. Students will also learn geography skills to gain appreciation for the physical characteristics of different regions of the United States. It also explores the way that Americans felt about their growing nation during the period of westward expansion until the end of the nineteenth century.

The "e²"-television series from PBS focused on three main topics: transportation, energy and design. Resources for teachers include video from the episodes with pre- and post-viewing discussion questions. There are also extension activities to help students explore each topic more deeply by conducting their own research and applying their knowledge to real-world situations.

Artists find both materials and inspiration in their natural environment. Materials are collected, combined and transformed through the creativity of human hands. This educational guide delves into the relationship between artists and their environment, examining how artists reflect upon and respond to nature and how deep connections with the natural surroundings can inspire them to create beautiful objects.

In this lesson students will learn that there is more to music than the musicians; the quality and craftsmanship of the instruments are also important. After examining the craftsmanship of high-quality acoustic guitars and discussing the importance of behind the scenes music careers, students will turn their attention to how instrument production affects local and international economies and ecologies.

Fractals are found extensively in nature, from tiny snowflakes to towering mountains. Because of this, fractal geometry has many practical applications. Geologists can model the meandering paths of rivers. Botanists can model the branching patterns of trees. In this activity, students will investigate fractals, learn how fractals can be used to determine the length of a coastline and explore the expression of mathematical principles in art.