Students learn how the Earth is composed of numerous interrelated systems (both living and nonliving) that exist in a fine balance; natural disruptions to this balance have occurred for millions of years, but that the Earth has a way of self-righting such fluctuations. This is closely related to some of the science lesson plans, but approaches the subject at a higher level with more of a focus on how ecosystems adapt to changes in the environment.

Goals

1.  Students will understand that when we talk about protecting the environment, that we are referring to all the wildlife, natural beauty, and natural resources in the world
2. Students will learn that the environment can refer to the entire Earth, to their region (such as Oahu), or to a more localized area (such as Waimea Bay), and that everything is interconnected.
3. Students will learn the living and nonliving systems that compose the environment.
4. Students will understand how living systems have evolved to respond to naturally caused changes in their environment and how nonliving systems are affected by changes in other systems, both living and nonliving.

Objectives

1. Students will identify examples of natural resources in the environment
2. Students will identify living and non-living systems in their own environment
3. Students will explain in detail how a living organism or system has adapted to survive significant changes in their environment (Example. Bears survive the long winter during which food is sparse by hibernating and thereby conserving energy until the spring arrives.)

Resources & Websites

1. Environmental Kids Club (Environmental Protection Agency)
   A ton of interactive sites for kids on lots of environmentally related topics
2. Natural Resources Defense Council
   Provides a number of references and links for kids about the environments, animals, plants, water, pollution, energy, global warming, recycling, parks, and community activism
3. Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR)
   Provides information to the public about various issues in Hawaii related to land, natural resources, outdoor recreation, the ocean, parks, etc.
4. U.S. Department of the Interior
   Provides information and links for teachers about parks, natural resources, land, water, etc.