LEARN NC

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

Earth/Environmental Science

Goal 1: The learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry in the earth and environmental sciences.

Objective 1.02. 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.

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

Who has seen the wind? Harnessing alternative energy
In this lesson plan, students conduct a series of investigations in order to understand issues surrounding the production of energy from wind, informed by the video "Roping the Wind in Texas" on the Powering a Nation website. Activities include discussing a video about the siting of a wind farm in Texas; conducting calculations based on local wind data; and using Google Earth, windNavigator software, and hands-on investigations to assess the potential for producing wind energy in the students' local area.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)
By Linda Schmalbeck.
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.
Rising tides: Climate change and the sea
This lesson plan uses videos, NASA visualizations, and digital map projections to help students understand the connection between climate change and sea level rise. The lesson draws on the "Climate Refugees" story on the Powering a Nation website, and includes independent research and inquiry activities that allow students to explore sea level changes in North Carolina and around the world.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)
By Linda Schmalbeck.
Inquiry-based exploration of human impacts on stream ecosystems: The Mud Creek case study
This unit plan for high school earth and environmental science explores the impact of human activity on the health of streams in urban and non-urban settings. Students mimic current scientific research by measuring physical, chemical, and biological indicators of stream health.
Format: (multiple pages)

Resources on the web

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)
Provided by: 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)
Provided by: 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)
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
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)
Provided by: National Geographic
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. When studying global interdependence within a science literacy context the purpose is not to promote... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
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)
Provided by: Burns Telecom Center