LEARN NC: Search Results

The case of the disappearing pitcher plants: This lesson addresses the cause and effect relationship between human interaction and a North Carolina endangered plant species. A role-playing scenario allows students to view the situation from a variety of positions and to collectively arrive at a solution to the problem.; Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Science); By Eddie Hamblin.

Development and flooding: Is there a connection?: In this lesson, students will take their knowledge about the hydrosphere and apply it to the issue of population growth and development. In particular, students will learn how increasing development in eastern North Carolina may have worsened the effects of flooding from Hurricane Floyd due to lack of soil and tree absorption of run-off. Students will create their own development plans for North Carolina in small groups, explaining how their plan will benefit North Carolina’s water resources and environment.; Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

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)

Introducing students to environmental justice: A North Carolina case study: This lesson plan for science and social studies uses the 5E model to have students consider an environmental justice case study.; Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science and Social Studies); By Dana Haine.

Pollution plume: The students will simulate a plume to illustrate point source and non-point source pollution.; Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science); By Jennifer Smith.

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.

Shells and more: This activity involves identifying objects from the beach using a guide book and then placing the information into a prepared table.; Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science); By Shelli Luna.

Stratigraphy and cross-dating: In Intrigue of the Past, page 2.3; Students will use an activity sheet to interpret archaeological strata using the law of superposition and apply cross-dating to determine the age of other artifacts.; Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Tree-ring dating: In Intrigue of the Past, page 2.5; In their study of dendrochronology, students use activity sheets and a discussion to apply principles of dendrochronology to determine a tree's age and to recognize climatic variation. They will also analyze and experience how archaeologists can sometimes use tree rings to date archaeological evidence and study past climates.; Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)

Trees of North Carolina: Students complete activities including tree and leaf identification, species comparison, online research, measurement, and creative writing in conjunction with monthly visits to the "Iredell County Outdoor Education Site"; Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science); By Amy Luna and Kathy Beck.

Resources on the web

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

How are we changing North Carolina?: In this lesson for eighth grade science, students examine soil maps from different periods in North Carolina history, analyze the differences between them, and draw inferences about how North Carolinians have affected their environment. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science); Provided by: UNC Libraries

North Carolina Botanical Garden Plant Information Center: Images and information about plants of North Carolina available in a searchable database. A partner project of North Carolina Botanical Garden and the UNC School of Information and Library Science. (Learn more); Format: website/lesson plan; Provided by: North Carolina Botanical Gardens

North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve (NCNERR): This site has information on estuaries in North Carolina as well as field trip information, lesson plans, hourly weather and water observations, an esturary cam, videos, and much more. (Learn more); Format: website/lesson plan; Provided by: North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve

Office of Environmental Education: The Office of Environmental Education "promotes environmental education throughout North Carolina. Their projects, programs, and publications help inform the general public, teachers, businesses, and other state organizations about their environment,... (Learn more); Format: website/lesson plan; Provided by: North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Red Wolves of Alligator River: This site offers many articles and other resources for those wishing to learn more about Canis rufus (Learn more); Format: website/lesson plan; Provided by: Field Trip Earth