Science Competency
Goal 1 |
The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry. |
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Objectives
1.01 Identify and create questions and
hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.
1.02 Develop appropriate experimental procedures for:
- Given questions.
- Student generated questions.
1.03 Apply safety procedures in the laboratory and in field studies:
- Recognize potential hazards.
- Manipulate materials and
equipment.
- Conduct appropriate procedures.
1.05 Analyze evidence to:
- Explain observations.
- Make inferences and predictions.
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Develop the relationship between evidence and explanation.
1.08 Use oral and written language to:
- Communicate findings.
- Defend conclusions of scientific
investigations.
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Science Competency
Goal 2 |
The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.
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Objectives
2.01 Explore evidence that "technology has many definitions.
- Artifact or hardware.
- Methodology or technique.
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System of production.
- Social-technical system.
2.03 Evaluate technological designs for:
- Application of scientific principles.
- Risks and benefits.
- Constraints of design.
2.04 Apply tenets of technological design to make informed consumer decisions about:
- Products.
- Processes.
- Systems.
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Science Competency
Goal 3 |
The learner will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of the hydrosphere.
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Objectives
3.02 Explain the structure of the hydrosphere including:
- Water distribution on earth.
- Local river basin.
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Local water availability.
3.03 Evaluate evidence that Earth's oceans are a reservoir of nutrients,
minerals, dissolved gases, and life forms:
- Estuaries.
- Marine ecosystems.
- Upwelling.
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Behavior of gases in the marine environment.
- Value and sustainability
of marine resources.
- Deep ocean technology and understandings gained.
3.04 Describe how terrestrial and aquatic food webs are interconnected.
3.05 Analyze hydrospheric data over time to predict the health of a water
system including:
- Temperature.
- Dissolved oxygen.
- pH.
- Nitrates.
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Turbidity.
- Bio-indicators.
3.07 Describe how humans affect the quality of water:
- Point and non-point sources of water pollution in North Carolina.
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Possible effects of excess nutrients in North Carolina waters.
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Economic trade-offs.
- Local water issues.
3.08 Recognize that the good health of environments and organisms requires:
- Monitoring of the hydrosphere.
- Water quality standards.
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Methods of water treatment.
- Maintaining safe water quality.
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Stewardship.
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Science Competency
Goal 5 |
The learner
will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information
systems to build an understanding of evidence of evolution in organisms and
landforms.
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Objectives
5.03 Examine evidence that the geologic evolution has had significant global impact including:
- Distribution of living things.
- Major geological events.
- Mechanical
and chemical weathering.
5.05 Use maps, ground truthing and remote sensing to make predictions regarding:
- Changes over time.
- Land use.
- Urban Sprawl.
- Resource management.
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| Eighth Grade North Carolina: Creation and Development of the State |
Social Studies Skill Competency
Goal 5 |
The learner will evaluate the impact of political, economic, social, and technological changes on life in North Carolina from 1870 to 1930. |
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Objectives
5.04 Identify technological advances and evaluate their influence on the quality of life in North Carolina.
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Social Studies Skill Competency
Goal 9 |
The learner will explore examples of and opportunities for active citizenship, past and present, and political developments in North Carolina since the 1970's. |
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Objectives
9.01 Describe contemporary political, economic and social issues at the state and local levels, and evaluate their impact on the community.
9.03 Describe opportunities for and benefits of civic participation.
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Social Studies
K-12 Skill Competency
Goal 2 |
The learner will acquire strategies to access a variety of sources, and use appropriate research skills to gather, synthesize, and report information using diverse modalities to demonstrate the knowledge acquired. |
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Objectives
2.04 Utilize community-related resources such as field
trips, guest speakers, and interviews.
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Social Studies
K-12 Skill Competency
Goal 3 |
The learner will acquire strategies to analyze, interpret, create, and use resources and materials. |
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Objectives
3.01 Use map and globe reading skills.
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Social Studies
K-12 Skill Competency
Goal 4 |
The learner will acquire strategies needed for applying decision-making and problem-solving techniques both orally and in writing to historic, contemporary, and controversial world issues. |
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Objectives
4.01 Use hypothetical reasoning processes.
4.02 Examine, understand, and evaluate conflicting
viewpoints.
4.04 Apply conflict resolutions.
4.05 Predict possible outcomes.
4.06 Draw conclusions.
4.08 Develop hypotheses.
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The Current Events Program teaches students about the dangers of the loss of biodiversity to human health
and gives them a chance to learn about population growth, climate change, air and water quality, waste disposal and energy
consumption in fun and engaging ways. We want students to understand that everything they throw away goes somewhere
and that every action they take affects something else. We want them to know what they can do to conserve our environment,
and in doing so, our way of life. But most importantly, after learning about the threats to our global environment, we want
students to feel empowered, not afraid. Because of the complex and scientific nature of this program, we are offering these
classes only to groups of students 6th grade and older.