LEARN NC

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

Advanced Placement 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.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

StreamWatch
This lesson is intended as a long term project to determine the overall health of a stream or wetland. Students identify seasonal changes that occur within the ecosystem, ideally with a minimum of bimonthly or monthly monitoring.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
By B. Carl Rush.

Resources on the web

Water, water everywhere
In this Xpeditions lesson, students examine differences in the availability of fresh drinking water around the world. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
Water resources in Asia: Change and challenges
This Xpeditions lesson uses China's water issues as case studies to examine the delicate balance between using resources to improve the standard of living for citizens and preserving resources to protect natural biodiversity and environment. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
Natural resources extraction
This Xpeditions lesson encourages students to think about where the natural resources we use come from and the processes by which these resources are extracted. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
Making the grade: Health indicators in the Chesapeake Bay watershed
In this Xpeditions lesson, students use online tools and resources to examine data concerning key indicators of the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the factors that affect them. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
Exploring manatee conservation in Latin America
During this virtual tour, your students will have access to real-life, current examples of manatee conservation. Through this web site, your students will have the opportunity to experience research as it takes place and to develop a broader understanding... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6 and 8–12 Science and Social Studies)
Provided by: Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Estuaries: Finding the balance
In this Xpeditions lesson, students examine the conflict between development and the environment, and the attempt to find a sound compromise. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
About a tree: The life and work of Emerging Explorer Mark Olson
In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about National Geographic Emerging Explorer Mark Olson's efforts to identify extinct or nearly extinct plants and the reasons for the plant losses. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic