Looking for some resources to help you teach kids about environmental health? Here are some good sources for lesson plans, activities, educational materials, and more.
Classroom Materials for Teachers
Classroom Activities
Find simple strategies and activities that you can use effectively communicate complex ideas on toxicology to students.
Curricular Material
Find a variety of educational materials, many of which are standards-based, to expose your students to environmental health concepts.
Lesson Resources
Use these factsheets, booklets and news articles to enhance your science lessons.
NIEHS Resources
As part of its education outreach efforts, NIEHS offers educational tours/visits of the Institute in Research Triangle Park, NC. The tours offer area K thru 12 and college/university students and teachers the opportunity to learn about a wide range of fascinating topics related to environmental health, along with an inside look at some of the career options available to those who are considering employment in biomedical research.
Institute tours are conducted weekdays during normal business hours (8:30 am to 5:00 pm) and are reserved on a first-come first-served basis. Tour groups are limited to 50 participants.
In cases where a field trip to NIEHS may not be feasible, NIEHS staff is available for off-site visits to public and private schools, colleges, and universities within a 50-mile radius of Research Triangle Park. We offer both a general overview that includes a discussion of the Institute's mission and programs, and a more focused presentation package that covers a specific research agenda.
The general overview visit includes the 10-minute video "Your Environment is Your Health," and a 30-minute presentation on the cutting-edge research conducted by NIEHS scientists on the health effects of heavy metals, pesticides, indoor and outdoor air pollutants, and other environmental agents that cause human illness.
The Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) Science Education Program promotes environmental health literacy, using the scientific literature to teach students the principles of environmental health science.
EHP resources enable teachers to provide students with current and credible environmental health information. The lessons published through the EHP Science Education Program encourage students to learn about their health and their environment through cooperative hands-on and critical thinking activities and real-world examples. Students also learn their behavior can have significant effects on the environment.
Professional Development
Learn about professional development opportunities around the country and research opportunities at NIEHS
Other Resources
Teachers’ Domain; Environmental Public Health
Digital media for the classroom and professional development
The Science of Energy Balance: Calorie Intake and Physical Activity
NIH Curriculum Supplement for Middle School, Grades 7- 8
Doing Science: The Process of Scientific Inquiry
NIH Curriculum Supplement for Middle School, Grades 7- 8
Chemicals, the Environment, and You: Explorations in Science and Human Health
A free, teacher-ready curriculum supplement from the National Institutes of Health.
BAM! Body and Mind Teacher’s Corner
Interactive, educational, and fun activities that are linked to national education standards for science and health
NOAA Climate Services; Teaching Resources
Educational resources and climate education collections from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Back to Parents & Teachers
