Outreach Activities
STEPS has developed instructional materials focused on phosphorus sustainability. These activities can help educators integrate phosphorus concepts into their science curriculum.
The Phosphorus Cycle
Students explore how phosphorus moves through aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems by considering the ways that it is transferred and stored.
- Exploring Phosphorus Sustainability- Teacher Guide
- Phosphorus Life Cycle-Student Worksheet
- Phosphorus Life Cycle Worksheet-Teacher Key
- Phosphorus Cycle Activity Sheet
- Phosphorus Cycle Game Sheets
Phosphorus Cycle Challenge
This secondary challenge activity allows students to test their knowledge of the Phosphorus Cycle. The simulation has two different scenarios where students test their knowledge about the phosphorus cycle in soybean fields or a lettuce garden.
Fact or Fiction
Students test their knowledge about phosphorus, the phosphorus cycle, and the issues surrounding global sustainability
- Phosphorus Fact or Fiction! Activity
- Fact or Fiction Cards
- Phosphorus Fact or Fiction Statements (answer key included)
Calculating Your Phosphorus Footprint
Students analyze their every day of activities for the overuse and overapplication of phosphorus and reflect on how to reduce the effects on the environment.
- What is your phosphorus footprint?- Teacher Guide
- Phosphorus Footprint Survey- Student Scoresheet
- Phosphorus Footprint -PPT
Investigating Pollutants in the Ecosystem
Portside vs. Fairway Harbor
Students role-play as citizens of a community facing a large influx of phosphorus from a neighboring town.
- Portside vs. Fairway Harbor- Teacher Guide
- The Story of Portside vs. Fairway Harbor Student Handout
- Student Role-Playing Cards
The Pond
Students test hypothetical samples of soil/water to identify sources of pollution and infer the potential effects of pollution on an ecosystem.
- The Pond: Investigating Pollutants in the Ecosystem Activity
- The Lopez Family Pond Story
- Pollutant Handout
Too Much of a Good Thing?
Students analyze well water data to determine the cause of a phosphorus plume in an area that caused a devastating fish kill.
Office of Phosphorus
This collaborative research activity introduces students to the governance challenges associated with phosphorus management at the local, state, and federal levels in the United States, through open-ended, exploratory research that allows them to practice identifying, using, and evaluating publicly available resources related to governance.
- Office of Phosphorus- Teacher Guide
- Executive Order Student Handout
- Research Scavenger Hunt Student Handout
Gail Jones
Led by Prof. Gail Jones, STEPS has created a number of instructional materials focused on phosphorus sustainability with the aim of helping educators integrate phosphorus concepts into their science curriculum. Gail Jones is Alumni Distinguished Professor of STEM Education at NC State and a Senior Fellow at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. Gail currently teaches preservice and in service teachers and conducts research on virtual reality, nanotechnology and nanoscale science education, and equity in STEM education.
Learn more about Gail Jones.