Enviro Ed's Environmental Quandaries (Indiana Department of Environmental Management)
Kids in grades K-2 – click on this link to learn what you can do to help EnviroEd protect Indiana's environment by scoring as many points as you can!
Students in grades 3-8 – click on this link to test your knowledge of the environment and see if you can help EnviroEd make Indiana a cleaner, healthier place to live.
The EPA Student Center
Visit the Environmental Protection Agency's Student Center to learn about Environmental Club Projects; Careers, Internships and Scholarships; and Environmental Youth Activities. Or, just visit the center to test your environmental knowledge with fun games and activities!
The EPA Environmental Explorers Club
In the Environmental Explorers Club, you can learn more about water and the environment, and a lot more! There are games on this site, too!
The EPA's Water Sense
Test your "Water Sense" with this interactive quiz.
Focus on Urban River Environments (FOURE)
In addition to providing an easy-to-read manual regarding effective stewardship of urban waterways, paid for by the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, the Friends of the White River conduct the following activities:
- Workshops on improving river environmental issues;
- Information to property owners who are part of the civil settlement with the Guide Corporation regarding ways for homeowners to be a part of the restoration;
- Catch and Release program, supported by employees of the Carrier Corporation;
- Outreach activities to public and private schools in Indianapolis; and
- "River School" events for educators and teachers, including an annual raft expedition.
USGS Learning Web
Visit the Learning Web from the U.S. Geological Survey to get help with your science homework, play a trivia question to test your knowledge of our planet, download fun clipart or print out paper models of volcanoes, earthquakes and more!
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Hoosier Riverwatch program sponsors two programs that can help schools and community organizations get more involved in clean water activities.
The Volunteer Stream Monitoring program trains interested volunteers from around Indiana, from elementary school students to seniors, to participate in water quality monitoring activities. Schools, nonprofit organizations and governmental entities may apply for equipment grants from Riverwatch to conduct testing. Volunteers may also be able to borrow equipment from the Soil and Water Conservation District office in their county.
The Adopt-a-River program invites community groups, youth groups, businesses, schools, families and environmental organizations to "adopt" a section of a local river or stream. Volunteer groups who commit to cleaning at least a ½ mile stream segment twice per year for two years will be recognized with a large, colorful sign erected along a highway nearest the "adopted" site.
DNR also sponsors Project WET in Indiana. The goal of Project WET is to facilitate and promote awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship of water resources through the development and dissemination of classroom-ready teaching aids. Project WET activities are designed to address curricula objectives and educational standards. The interdisciplinary activities for students in grades K-12 can be used in both formal and non-formal settings. Activities also include linking teachers with water resource agencies and conservation programs. Teacher training workshops are interactive. For more information and a schedule of upcoming workshops, visit Project WET online.
Indiana Department of Environmental Management – Environmental Education Resources
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) provides five Lesson Plans for K-7 educators, both formal and non-formal, containing information to teach students about Indiana's environment and how IDEM works to protect it. Each lesson includes an overview page with the appropriate grade levels, main ideas and objectives covered, and necessary materials. Lessons also include a "script" and complimentary activities, a "taking it further" section with supplemental activities, a listing of the Indiana State Science Standards covered, and a glossary of terms used in the lesson. The five lesson plans cover the following subjects:
- Air Quality;
- Water Quality;
- Land Quality;
- Recycling; and
- Children's Environmental Health.
IDEM also provides Coloring Books for grades K-2 or 3-5 that describe how IDEM staff members work to protect Indiana's air, water, and land. The science standards for both booklets are provided on the back cover.
Enviroville includes outreach activities to schools to disseminate information about Indiana's land, air and water quality. In addition, the on-line interactive quiz, located at the website below, allows youth to research and discuss land, air and water quality issues. Enviroville currently has information created for middle school students. IDEM plans to expand to include information for high school and elementary school students, as well.
IDEM's Notepad E-newsletter Notepad is dedicated to providing Indiana schools and educators with useful information on a wide array of environmental health and education topics. The Notepad is released quarterly and is electronically sent to school principles.
IDEM's Simple Steps Campaign provides classroom visits to distribute information and to discuss healthy, safe environment issues; issues press releases; and provides brochures, bus placards, billboard advertisements and fun educational marketing materials (placemats, bookmarks, magnets and posters) to promote simple steps to improve the environment.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. – Project 180°/Partners in the Environment
Through Project 180°/IPL Revive a Neighborhood, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIBI) develops partnerships with neighborhood-based organizations. This partnership addresses the needs of neighborhoods using a holistic approach by:
- Improving the quality of housing and neighborhoods in Indianapolis;
- Increasing and improving greenspace;
- Providing young people with opportunities to serve in the community; and
- Bringing diverse groups of people together to work for a common goal: a better, more beautiful Indianapolis.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA has an Environmental Education Center for teachers that includes curriculum resources and information about community service projects, workshops and conferences, students jobs and internships, awards and grants.
U.S. Geological Survey Learning Web
The USGS Learning Web provides teachers with everything from lesson plans and activities to paper models of volcanoes and printable bookmarks.
GLOBE
GLOBE is a worldwide hands-on, primary and secondary school-based education and science program. Their Teacher's Guide includes protocols, learning activities, data sheets and field guides, which can be searched by concept.