Human Impact on the Environment Unit – Sustainability, Evolution, Genetics

Help students explore one of the most relevant and urgent topics in biology with this engaging, standards-aligned unit! Centered around the essential question, “How do human activities affect the biosphere, and what can we do to protect life on Earth?”, this unit combines biology content with real-world challenges in climate change, biodiversity, and sustainability.

Why Teachers Love This Resource:

• Biology-Focused & Real-World Relevant – Integrates core life science concepts like ecosystems, evolution, the carbon cycle, and genetic diversity.
• Student-Centered & Inquiry-Based – Includes labs, data analysis, reading comprehension, and scenario-based thinking.
• Built for Engagement – Encourages students to ask big questions and connect science to global issues they care about.
• No-Prep, Editable, and Classroom-Tested – Ready to use or customize for your students’ needs.

What’s Inside:

• Unit Pacing Guide – Plan and structure your lessons with ease.
• Lesson Plan – Detailed day-by-day guidance for teaching the entire unit.
• Introduction to Human Impact Presentation & Notes – Clear, student-friendly explanations with visuals.
• Human Impact Reading Comprehension Activity & Answer Key – Build literacy and reinforce biology concepts.
• Exploring the Carbon Cycle Lab & Answer Key – Analyze real data and model carbon fluxes.
• Climate Clues in Ice Activity – Interpret paleoclimate evidence from ice cores.
• Uncovering the Impact of CO2 Emissions Lab & Answer Key – Investigate greenhouse gas trends and effects.
• Effects of Climate Change Presentation & Notes – Examine biological and societal consequences.
• Pika’s Struggle Against Climate Change Lab & Answer Key – Explore species vulnerability through case study.
• Genetic Diversity & Habitat Fragmentation Case Study & Answer Key – Connect evolution, ecology, and genetics in conservation biology.
• Tuna’s Toxic Secret: Mercury’s Silent Threat Lab & Answer Key – Understand toxin bioaccumulation in food webs.
• Road Salt and the Environment Lab & Answer Key – Students explore real-world environmental trade-offs in this engaging road salt investigation lab.
• Personal Ecological Footprint Assignment & Discussion Questions – Reflect on individual environmental impact.
• Human Impact Quiz & Answer Key – Assess student knowledge with multiple-choice and short response questions.
• Hidden Energy Costs Project – Investigate the unseen environmental costs behind everyday products.
• Unit Review & Comprehensive Exam with Answer Keys – Prepare students with a thorough assessment and study materials.
• Human Impact on the Environment Student Choice Boards – Perfect for enrichment, review, or project-based learning!

Support your students in understanding the biological science behind human impacts and empower them to think critically about solutions with this interactive and meaningful unit!

What busy teachers like you have said:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Susan S. says, “Resource is easy to use and I appreciate the unit plan and how long each assignment/activity should take–makes for easier planning”

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Thanks for visiting!
Jessica