In This Section

The lessons and units listed below are designed to be facilitated by CSRC staff. Some lessons can be done remotely. The instructions and materials are all provided for free by the Cuesta Sustainability Resource Center. 

 

Individual Lessons 

The following list of lessons can be delivered on an individual basis or combined into a customized unit. Stand Alone Demos and Activities presented by Cuesta Sustainability staff. Topics include general energy science, renewable energy sources (sun, wind, water), magnets, climate science, waste reduction & resource conservation, and electricity.  

Grade Lesson/ Activity   NGSS Topic  In person  Virtual 
K-2 Light to Heat   Energy, Light Yes Yes
K-5 Radiometer Energy, Light Yes Yes
K-5 Solar Balloon 

Energy, Light, 

Forces and Interactions 

 Yes Yes
K-6 Convection  Energy, Light, Earth Systems  Yes Yes
K-6 Solar Distiller Energy, Light, Earth Systems Yes  
K-6

Solar Oven

 Energy, Light Yes  
K-2 UV beads Energy, Light Yes No

K-2

Nature Print Paper 

 Energy, Light Yes No

K-2

 Build a Windmill

Forces and Interactions, Engineering, Energy

 Yes  

K-3

 Weight Lifter Windmill Forces and Interactions, Engineering, Energy Yes Yes

K-6

 Wind Turbine Testing Forces and Interactions, Engineering, Energy  Yes Yes

K-3

 Measuring Wind Speed Forces and Interactions, Engineering, Energy Yes Yes

K-6

 Build Anemometer Forces and Interactions, Engineering, Energy Yes  

K-2

 Water Wheels  Forces and Interactions, Engineering, Energy Yes  

3-6

 Hydro Turbine Testing  Forces and Interactions, Engineering, Energy Yes Yes

3-6

 Land Ice vs Sea Ice  Energy, Light, Earth Systems  Yes  

 

Ngss Mini Units

The following units are Grade Level Mini Units to support NGSS. Each is a series of 3-4 lessons that incorporates both demonstrations and hands-on activities. The units can be entirely led by Cuesta Sustainability staff outdoors in person or via virtual platform. Some unit topics include: Weather, Energy, Waves, Forces and Motion, Human Impact, Biodiversity, and Earth Systems. There are 3 units per grade level to choose from that incorporate sustainability themes and engineering within the NGSS topics.  Click on the grade level to expand for the specific unit topics. 

Grade  NGSS Mini Units 
Kindergarten
  • Pushes and Pulls/Engineering
  • Weather 
  • Natural Resources & Human Impact
First 
  • Light and Sound 
  • Engineering- Solar Ovens 
  • Biomimicry- Animal & Plant Structures for Survival
Second
  • Water
  • Engineering- Wind Mill Blade Design
  • Biomimicry- Seed Dispersal & Pollination
Third
  • Magnetism 
  • Engineering- Wind Turbine Blade Design
  • Ecosystems 
Fourth 
  • Energy & Engineering- Solar Cars
  • Natural Resources 
Fifth
  • Earth Systems 
  • Engineering- Wind Turbine Blade Design 
  • Human Impact On the  Environment