Vocabulary for Describing Environmental Science and Light Pollution

Objective: By the end of the lesson, the student will be able to accurately explain environmental science terms.

Materials: None.

Introduction (5 minutes): Introduce the topic of environmental science by posing discussion questions like “what does the term ‘sustainability’ mean?” and “how do humans impact the environment?”. Ask the student to share any knowledge they may have on the topic.

Main Activity (20 minutes):

• Explain each term and its definition.
• Provide examples of each term in action.
• Ask the student to explain each term using their own words.

Terms:
• Environmental Science: A field of study focused on the interaction between the environment and humans and how they influence each other.
• Sustainability: Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
• Climate Change: A change in global or regional climate patterns, attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.
• Light Pollution: The alteration of natural light levels in the environment due to artificial light, such as streetlights and other sources of light.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Gases in the atmosphere that trap energy from the Sun, resulting in higher temperatures.

Conclusion (5 minutes): Ask the student to summarize the terms in their own words and ask any questions they may have.

Summary:
• Introduced the topic of environmental science by posing discussion questions.
• Explained each term and provided examples of each.
• Asked the student to explain each term in their own words.
• Asked the student to summarize the terms and answer any questions.