Recycling Relay (also available as a CWC Educator Led lesson)
Students will learn/review what is trash, what can be recycled, or composted in their community and the value of recycling/composting. Students will participate in a recycling relay to practice recycling and composting.

Steelhead Trout Obstacle Course (Supports NGSS 3-LS2-1)
Students will participate in an interactive and physical obstacle course modeling the various challenges Steelhead Trout face as they migrate from a stream to the ocean and back. A large open field or gym is recommended for this activity. All equipment provided.  

Waste Watchers 
Students assess their own environmental footprint by tracking their water, energy and waste use. This classroom or homework activity can be a great conversation starter about how we each can make a different by making wise choices to help protect our environment. Electronic copies of the worksheet will be delivered to the teacher.  

Green Schools Detective 
Students support their school by identifying green and sustainable practices taking place on campus and providing recommendations for practices the administration could implement. Students use a workbook to evaluate energy efficiency, waste management, stormwater runoff management, and green infrastructure. Workbooks provided.

Urban Water Cycle (Supports NGSS MS-ESS2-4)
Students will review the water cycle while learning about how humans are connected to the water cycle through drinking water. Students will learn about the sources of water (groundwater or surface water) and how much drinking water is available on earth. Students will engage in an interactive activity where they travel through the water cycle and interact with humans, plants, animals and bodies of water. All materials provided.  

Pollution Runoff Find It 
This brief activities challenges students to identify in an illustration, various sources of pollution in an urban environment (pet waste, paint, oil, among others.) This lesson is a good introduction to stormwater runoff management and pollution prevention. Illustrations provided.   

Ecosystems Jenga (Supports NGSS 5-LS2-1, MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-3, MS-LS2-4, MS-ESS3-4)
Teams of students play a special, customized game of Jenga with stacked blocks that model trophic levels. Students interact with the model by removing blocks based upon human and ecological events that occur that either negatively or positively effect the ecosystem. Students can engage in conversation about the interdependent relationships in the ecosystems. All equipment provided.  

Renewable Energy Sources (Supports NGSS MS-ESS3-4, MS-ESS3-5) 
Students serve as consultants for a local energy company seeking to make a decision on which energy source is best for Santa Cruz County. Students build models of wind, solar and hydropower and work as a team to make a case for their renewable energy source. All equipment and materials provided.