Environmental Studies Lessons: a Fresh Approach to Outdoor Learning

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is pleased to provide a series of environmental lesson plans to aid educators in connecting young people to the natural world.

These lesson plans, designed for grade levels 1 through 7, cover a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities, such as exploring different ecosystems, experiencing how species adapt to their environment, and learning how to identify plants and insects.

The activities send young learners on fun outdoor adventures, including a garden scavenger hunt, a bug bonanza, and exploring for nature friends. The lessons are designed to help teachers meet the state's environmental education standards. They're also beneficial to anyone looking for environmental learning activities, such as home-school teachers and scout leaders.

Select a Lesson Plan

• A Garden Scavenger Hunt
• The Magic Bag
• Tree-mendous Twigs
• What Does Your Garden Grow?
• Beneath Your Feet
• Bug Bonanza
• To Fertilize Or Not to Fertilize
• The Great Escape
• Made for Each Other
• Microclimates
• Covering Ground
• Energy Flow: Where Does it Go?
• Friend or Foe
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• The Key to Your Identity
• Small Change
• School Garden Journal