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 1.05

Analyze reports of scientific investigations and environmental issues from an informed scientifically literate viewpoint including considerations of:

  • Appropriate sample.
  • Adequacy of experimental controls.
  • Replication of findings.
  • Alternative interpretations of the data.

Resources aligned to this objective

A case study of "A Civil Action"
In Bringing current science into the classroom, page 3
This is a short, culminating activity that can be used to assess your students' understanding of the steps needed to determine if a water source is contaminated and how it got that way, and to suggest possible methods of cleanup or remediation. Students review a portion of the film "A Civil Action" and identify the problem and the people involved. Students then take the role of environmental scientist and apply their knowledge of water and hazardous waste contamination to create a plan to help lawyer, Jan Schlichtmann, try the case.
Format: (grade 9–12 Science)
By Michele Kloda.

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 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
Bird populations
In this Science NetLinks lesson, students study bird migratory patterns and the methods that researchers use to study them. Students are introduced to the science behind the study of bird movements and how scientists discern patterns and changes in bird populations. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science