LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

About this resource

Appropriate grades
9–12
Subjects
science (biology and life science, environmental science, oceanography)
Provider
National Geographic

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This Xpeditions lesson will help students understand the environmental importance of coral reefs and the threats to reefs' conservation. Through the process of gathering geographic information about a place (in this case, the Great Barrier Reef), students will learn how a “geographic focus” can sharpen their insights about a conservation issue.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Science (2005)

Grades 9–12 — Biology

  • Goal 5: The learner will develop an understanding of the ecological relationships among organisms.
    • Objective 5.01: Investigate and analyze the interrelationships among organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems.
      • Techniques of field ecology.
      • Abiotic and biotic factors.
      • Carrying capacity.
    • Objective 5.03: Assess human population and its impact on local ecosystems and global environments:
      • Historic and potential changes in population.
      • Factors associated with those changes.
      • Climate change.
      • Resource use.
      • Sustainable practices/stewardship.

Grades 9–12 — Earth/Environmental Science

  • Goal 1: The learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry in the earth and environmental sciences.
    • Objective 1.06: Identify and evaluate a range of possible solutions to earth and environmental issues at the local, national, and global level including considerations of:
      • Interdependent human and natural systems.
      • Diverse perspectives.
      • Short and long range impacts.
      • Economic development, environmental quality and sustainability.
      • Opportunities for and consequences of personal decisions.
      • Risks and benefits of technological advances.
  • Goal 4: The learner will build an understanding of the hydrosphere and its interactions and influences on the lithosphere, the atmosphere, and environmental quality.
    • Objective 4.04: Evaluate water resources:
      • Storage and movement of groundwater.
      • Ecological services provided by the ocean
      • Environmental impacts of a growing human population.
      • Causes of natural and manmade contamination.