LEARN NC

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

Goal 1

The learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry in the earth and environmental sciences.

Objective 1.02

Design and conduct scientific investigations to answer questions related to earth and environmental science.

  • Create testable hypotheses
  • Identify variables.
  • Use a control or comparison group when appropriate.
  • Select and use appropriate measurement tools.
  • Collect and record data.
  • Organize data into charts and graphs.
  • Analyze and interpret data.
  • Communicate findings.

Resources aligned to this objective

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.

Lesson plans on the web

The expanding universe
This activity is designed to help students gain a deeper understanding of cosmology. Students develop authentic models and gather evidence supporting the Big Bang theory. This lesson uses observation, interactive media, and scientific models. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provider: Burns Telecom Center
The fish trade
The purpose of this lesson is to examine the interdependence of global trade in the context of the economic and social aspects of fisheries and aquaculture. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Layers of the Grand Canyon
In this Xpeditions lesson, after learning the basics of how the Grand Canyon was formed, students investigate the canyon's layers and learn about the geologic time periods when they were deposited. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provider: National Geographic
Paleo-what? The life and work of Emerging Explorer Zeray Alemseged
In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the field of paleoanthropology. They consider how National Geographic Emerging Explorer Dr. Zeray Alemseged chose paleoanthropology as his career as they learn more about the multifaceted field itself. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science)
Provider: National Geographic
The science of the deep sea
This lesson will teach students about conducting science experiments and using rigorous scientific principles. They should learn about the ways in which scientific investigation is used in the “real world.” (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provider: National Geographic
The scientific method in undersea archaeology
In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students discuss how the scientific method was used in studies of the Black Sea. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provider: National Geographic
Twister tracking
In this Xpeditions lesson, students use a database to learn about, organize, and compare tornadoes in their home state and across the country. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics, Science, and Computer Technology Skills)
Provider: National Geographic