LEARN NC

Photograph of jigsaw puzzle pieces.

CareerStart lessons: Grade seven

3.10 College collage

By John Boyd · Adapted by Mitzi Talbert

Provided by CareerStart

Learning outcomes

Students will learn about colleges and universities in North Carolina that can launch them into a career in the sciences.

Teacher preparation

Time required for lesson

One to two class periods (45-55 minutes each.) Homework time will be required.

Materials needed

  • Computers with internet access — at least one computer for each group of three to four students
  • Student handouts:

Activities

  1. Place students into groups of three or four students.
  2. Ask students to divide a sheet of paper into three sections. Ask the students to make a chart like the following:
    Mechanical physicsHealth scienceWeather
  3. In their groups, have the students make a list of all the science careers they have learned about in class, and others they have heard about or thought of. (You may choose to let students use the computers to research careers).
  4. As a class, discuss what type of academic degrees the students think they would need in order to pursue the scientific careers they brainstormed. A list of possible careers, with their necessary degrees follows:
    • Mechanical physics:
      • Electricians — licenses required
      • Video Control Engineer — Bachelor’s degree
      • Urban and Regional Planners — Master’s degree
      • Tuner (musical instruments) — post-secondary training
      • Tool- and Die-Makers — Associate’s degree
      • Silversmith — Associate’s degree
    • Health science:
      • Zoologists — Ph.D preferred
      • Yoga Instructors — certification required
      • Nurse — Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree
      • Veterinarians — Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and state license
      • Ultrasonographers — Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree
      • Therapists — Associate’s degree minimum
      • Recreational Therapists — Bachelor’s degree
      • Anesthesiologists — Doctorate and licensure
    • Weather:
      • Weathercasters — Bachelor’s degree
      • Water Conservationists — Bachelor’s degree
  5. Tell the students that they will research what colleges and/or universities in the state offer degrees in the careers they would like to pursue. (You may choose to limit the students to researching degrees in the sciences.)
  6. Hand out the handouts and have students follow the instructions and complete the first part of the college search worksheet.
  7. As a homework assignment, have students complete the conclusion questions on the worksheet. The final step asks students to discuss their findings with their parent(s) or guardian(s).

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Science (2005)

Grade 7

  • Goal 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
    • Objective 1.09: Use technologies and information systems to:
      • Research.
      • Gather and analyze data.
      • Visualize data.
      • Disseminate findings to others.