Biology Program Goals and Objectives
Grade Level 8

About the Biology Program
All students will participate in the Barrier Island Ecology Course at the same time. Small groups of approximately twelve students together with a Sound to Sea instructor each start in a different habitat area and begin a rotation. This component introduces students to the five habitats (beach/ocean, maritime forest, freshwater pond, salt marsh, and sound/estuary), geological history, basic ecological concepts and general habitat study skills that are reinforced throughout the entire program. Sound to Sea instructors encourage exploration and present various ecological concepts (such as habitats, cycles, communities, populations, species, food webs, decomposition, etc.) as students discover concrete evidence that relates to that concept. As the groups explore each habitat, students observe the differences and make comparisons. The Habitat Study skills include: observation, measurement, data collection, and analysis and assessment of habitat conditions with respect to soil, air, water, wind, temperature, and human impact; and observation, identification, classification, mapping and representative sampling of species present within the habitat.

Main Curriculum Area: Science
Other Curriculum Areas: English, Math
Grade Level: 8

Primary Goals and Objectives:
These objectives will be covered during all Biology Program classes. Some objectives are more specific to one habitat than another, so if your schedule does not allow you to take all offered classes, or if there are particular objectives that you want to make sure we cover, please let us know what your specific needs are.

Science Competency
Goal 1		 The learner will build an understanding of the hydrosphere.

Objectives
1.01 Explain the composition, properties, and structure of the hydrosphere.

1.02 Analyze hydrospheric data over time to predict the health of a water system:

  • Temperature.
  • Dissolved oxygen.
  • pH.
  • Alkalinity.
  • Nitrates.

1.03 Evaluate evidence that Earth's oceans are a reservoir of nutrients, minerals, dissolved gases, and life forms.

1.04 Assess human impact on water quality.

1.05 Evaluate the effects of point and non-point sources of pollution on North Carolina water.

Science Competency
Goal 2		 The learner will build an understanding of population dynamics.

Objectives
2.01 Evaluate data related to population growth, along with problems and solutions:
  • Waste disposal.
  • Food supplies.
  • Disease control.
  • Resource availability.
  • Transportation.

2.02 Conclude that some ecosystem resources are finite.

2.03 Explain how changes in habitat may affect organisms.

Science Competency
Goal 3		 The learner will build an understanding of evidence of change or constancy in organisms and landforms over time.

Objectives
3.01 Interpret ways in which rocks, fossils, and ice cores record Earth's geologic history and the evolution of life.


3.02 Evaluate evolutionary theories and processes:

  • Biological.
  • Geological.
  • Technological.

3.04 Evaluate the forces which shape the lithosphere:

  • Constructive.
  • Destructive.
Social Studies Competency
Goal 1		 Impact of Geography
The learner will assess the influence of geography on the economic, social, and political development of North Carolina.

1.1 Determine the absolute and relative location of physical and cultural features.

1.2 Describe the physical and cultural aspects of North Carolina places.

1.3 Analyze ways North Carolinians have modified, used, and adapted to the physical environment.

English Competency
Goal 1		 The learner will use language to express individual perspectives through analysis of personal, social, cultural, and historical issues.

Objectives
1.03 Interact in group activities and/or seminars in which the student:
  • shares personal reactions to questions raised.
  • clarifies, illustrates, or expands on a response when asked to do so, and asks classmates for similar expansion.
English Competency
Goal 2		 The learner will use and evaluate information from a variety of sources.

Objectives
2.01 Analyze and evaluate informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:
  • making connections to related topics/information.
  • drawing inferences.
  • generating questions.
  • extending ideas.
English Competency
Goal 3		 The learner will continue to refine the understanding and use of argument.

Objectives
3.02 Refine the use of the problem-solution process by:
  • evaluating problems and solutions within various texts and situations.
  • utilizing the problem-solution process within various contexts/situations.
English Competency
Goal 4		 The learner will continue to refine critical thinking skills and apply criteria to evaluate text and multimedia.

Objectives
4.02 Develop (with limited assistance) and apply appropriate criteria to evaluate the quality of the communication by:
  • drawing conclusions based on evidence, reasons, or relevant information.
  • considering the implications, consequences, or impact of those conclusions.
English Competency
Goal 6		 The learner will apply conventions of application of grammar and language usage.


Objectives
6.01 Model an understanding of conventional written and spoken expression by:

  • determining the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary words using context clues, a dictionary, a glossary, a thesaurus, and/or structural analysis (roots, prefixes, suffixes) of words.
  • extending vocabulary knowledge by learning and using new words.
Other Goals and Objectives:
These objectives may be covered during Biology Program classes. If there are goals listed here that you specifically want covered, or goals not listed that you would like to try to touch on, please let us know.

Main Curriculum Area: Science

Science Competency
Goal 2		 The learner will build an understanding of population dynamics.

Objectives
2.04 Analyze practices that affect the use, availability, and management of natural resources:
  • Land use.
  • Urban growth.
  • Manufacturing.
Social Studies Competency
Goal 2		 Impact of Exploration
The learner will evaluate the effects of early contacts between various European nations and Native Americans.

2.1 Identify Native-American cultures and evaluate their contributions to North Carolina culture.

2.2 Describe and explain differences between Native Americans and Europeans in their attitudes toward the use of natural resources.

Social Studies Competency
Goal 8		 Impact of Industrialization
The learner will evaluate the effects of national economic, social, and political change on North Carolina and the South in the late nineteenth century.

8.1 Describe basic business organizations developed in the late nineteenth century and assess their impact on North Carolina.

8.2 Describe the national significance of industrialization and rapid population growth and contrast these phenomena to events in North Carolina and the South.