LEARN NC

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

Earth/Environmental Science

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 4.05. Investigate and analyze environmental issues and solutions for North Carolina's river basins, wetlands, and tidal environments:

  • Water quality.
  • Shoreline changes.
  • Habitat preservation.

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

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

Sound the alarm: Can frogs really tell us what's wrong?
In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about the ways National Geographic Emerging Explorer Tyrone Hayes uses a combination of laboratory and field study to learn about frogs' developmental changes as they relate to chemical contamination of water. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
The pros and cons of artificial reefs
This lesson asks students to consider whether artificial reefs are good for marine ecosystems. Students will look at pictures of artificial reefs and read articles describing the pros and cons of these structures. They will conclude by writing paragraphs explaining... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 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
Erosion in the Outer Banks
In this environmental science lesson, students examine different perspectives on erosion in the Outer Banks over the past century by implementing research and map comparisons between Google Earth and early 20th-century coastal maps. This lesson assumes a basic... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provided by: UNC Libraries
Crane cam: Intended and unintended effects of conservation efforts
In this Xpeditions lesson, students examine the intended and unintended consequences of human environmental intervention. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic