Career · Lesson Plan

Becoming an Environmental Engineer

A career-exploration lesson on environmental engineers — the professionals who design ways to protect the environment. Students learn where environmental engineers work, how they prevent and clean up pollution, what hazardous materials are, and how someone can enter the field.

Grades 5–9 Lesson Plan 30–45 minutes Free Lesson Plan Lesson & Worksheet: Full Membership

Becoming an environmental engineer career lesson illustration

For Teachers

Lesson at a glance

Topic: Career
Grade Level: Grades 5–9
Resource Type: Lesson + Worksheet
Estimated Time: 30–45 minutes
Format: Reading + worksheet
Materials: Printable lesson, worksheet, whiteboard

What Students Learn

Learning objectives

List and describe roles in which environmental engineers work
Explain that environmental engineers design ways to protect the environment
Explain that they may work for companies, the government, or as consultants
Describe ways environmental engineers prevent and clean up pollution
Explain the ideal interests and path for becoming an environmental engineer

Materials

What you’ll need

Printed copies of the lesson reading and worksheet (one per student)
Whiteboard or projector for discussion
Optional: internet access for career research

Key Terms

Vocabulary

Environmental engineer: A professional who designs ways to protect the environment.
Pollution: Harmful substances released into the air, water, or land.
Consultant: Someone hired to advise different businesses rather than working for just one.
Hazmat: A hazardous material, such as paint, batteries, medical, or nuclear waste.
Regulation: A rule or law, here one that protects the environment.
Conservation: Protecting and preserving natural resources.

For Teachers

Lesson plan

Estimated time: one 30–45 minute class period.

Lesson sequence

Introduction (5 min). Ask students how someone might turn caring about the environment into a career. Introduce environmental engineering.
Read the lesson (12 min). Students read the printable lesson on what environmental engineers do and where they work.
Discussion (10 min). Cover prevention vs. cleanup of pollution, working for companies vs. government vs. as a consultant, and what hazmats are.
Worksheet (10 min). Students complete the worksheet; the answer key is included for teacher use.
Wrap-up (3 min). Students name one interest or school subject that fits this career.

Assessment

Assess participation and the completed worksheet.

Discussion

Discussion questions

What are some different ways environmental engineers protect the environment?
How is working as a consultant different from working for one company?
What are hazmats, and why do they need special handling?
How do environmental engineers help prevent pollution before it happens?
What school subjects or interests would help someone in this career?

Printable Lesson & Worksheet