Water, water everywhere

Science (2005)

Grade 8

• Goal 3: The learner will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of the hydrosphere.
  • Objective 3.02: Explain the structure of the hydrosphere including:
    • Water distribution on earth.
    • Local river basin.
    • Local water availability.
  • Objective 3.07: Describe how humans affect the quality of water:
    • Point and non-point sources of water pollution in North Carolina.
    • Possible effects of excess nutrients in North Carolina waters.
    • Economic trade-offs.
    • Local water issues.
  • Objective 3.08: Recognize that the good health of environments and organisms requires:
    • Monitoring of the hydrosphere.
    • Water quality standards.
    • Methods of water treatment.
    • Maintaining safe water quality.
    • Stewardship.

Grade 9–12 — AP Earth and Environmental Science

• Goal 4: The learner will build an understanding of the distribution, ownership, use and degradation of renewable and nonrenewable resources.
  • Objective 4.01: Analyze sources and uses of freshwater and oceans.
    • Renewal rates.
    • Agricultural, industrial and domestic water uses.
    • Increasing water supplies: Dams and desalination.
    • Fisheries and aquaculture.
    • Water management and conservation.
• Goal 5: The learner will build an understanding of air, water and soil quality.
  • Objective 5.01: Analyze the sources of major pollutants.
    • EPA Criteria Pollutants.
    • Indoor air pollutants.
    • Thermal pollution.
    • Pesticides.
    • Acid deposition.
    • Units and measurements.
    • Point and nonpoint sources.
  • Objective 5.02: Investigate the effects of pollutants on:
    • Aquatic systems (Eutrophication).
    • Vegetation.
    • Natural features, buildings and structures.
    • Wildlife.
  • Objective 5.03: Analyze and investigate pollution reduction, remediation and control measures.
    • Legislation.
    • Historical examples and global case studies.
    • Waste water treatment plant.
  • Objective 5.04: Analyze and investigate local, regional and global issues concerning solid waste.
    • Types, sources and amounts.
    • Disposal methods and environmental effects.
    • Decreasing waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle.
  • Objective 5.05: Analyze impacts on human health.
    • Infectious disease.
    • Chemical agents.
    • Radiation.
    • Toxicology: LD50, acute and chronic effects.
    • Risk assessment.
• Goal 7: The learner will build an understanding of environmental decision making.
  • Objective 7.02: Analyze cultural and ethical considerations regarding the environment.
    • Environmental worldviews.
    • Indigenous peoples.
    • Sustainable development.
  • Objective 7.03: Recognize significance of major environmental laws and regulations: regional, national and international.
    • Clean Air Act.
    • Clean Water Act.
    • Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act.
    • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
    • Endangered Species Act.
    • Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Control Act.
    • Kyoto Protocol.
    • Lacey Act.
    • Mining Act.
    • Montreal Protocol.
    • National Environmental Policy Act.
    • Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
    • Wilderness Act.
  • Objective 7.04: Develop an awareness of environmental options.
    • Conservation.
    • Preservation.
    • Restoration.
    • Remediation.
    • Mitigation.