Current Events Program Goals and Objectives

Grade Levels 9-12 including these courses:
 High School Biology
High School Earth/Environmental Science Courses
9th Grade World History
10th Grade Civics and Economics
11th Grade United States History


About the Sound to Sea Current Events Program
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.

Sound to Sea Current Events Program
High School Biology Goals and Objectives:
These objectives will be covered during all Current Events 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.

Biology Competency
Goal 1		 Learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry.

Objectives
1.01 Identify biological problems and questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.

1.02 Design and conduct scientific investigations to answer biological questions.

  • Create testable hypotheses.
  • Identify variables.
  • Use a control or comparison group when appropriate.
  • Select and use appropriate measurement tools.
  • Collect and record data.
  • Organize data into charts and graphs.
  • Analyze and interpret data.
  • Communicate findings.

1.03 Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models of biological phenomena using logic and evidence to:

  • Explain observations.
  • Make inferences and predictions.
  • Explain the relationship between evidence and explanation.

1.04 Apply safety procedures in the laboratory and in field studies:

  • Recognize and avoid potential hazards.
  • Safely manipulate materials and equipment needed for scientific investigations.

Biology Competency
Goal 5		 Learner will develop an understanding of the ecological relationships among organisms.

Objectives
5.01 Investigate and analyze the interrelationships among organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems.

  • Techniques of field ecology
  • Abiotic and biotic factor
  • Carrying capacity

5.02 Analyze the flow of energy and the cycling of matter in the ecosystem.

  • Relationship of the carbon cycle to photosynthesis and respiration
  • Trophic levels- direction and efficiency of energy transfer
5.03 Assess human population and its impact on local ecosystems and global environments:

  • Historic and potential changes in population.
  • Factors associated with those changes.
  • Climate Change.
  • Resource use.
  • Sustainable practices/ stewardship.

Sound to Sea Current Events Program:
High School Earth/Environmental Science Goals and Objectives:
These Earth/Environmental Science objectives will be covered during all Current Events 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.

Earth/Environmental Science Competency
Goal 1		 The learner will build an understanding of population dynamics.

Objectives
1.01 Identify questions and problems in the earth and environmental sciences that can be answered through scientific investigations.

1.04 Apply safety procedures in the laboratory and in field studies:
  • Recognize and avoid potential hazards.
  • Safely manipulate materials and equipment needed for scientific investigations.
1.06 Identify and evaluate a range of possible solutions to earth and environmental issues at the local, national, and global level including considerations of:
  • Interdependent human and natural systems.
  • Diverse perspectives.
  • Short and long range impacts.
  • Economic development, environmental quality and sustainability.
  • Opportunities for and consequences of personal decisions.
  • Risks and benefits of technological advances.

Earth/Environmental Science Competency
Goal 2		 The learner will build an understanding of lithospheric materials, tectonic processes, and the human and environmental impacts of natural and human-induced changes in the lithosphere.

Objectives
2.06 Investigate and analyze the importance and impact of the economic development of earth's finite rock, mineral, soil, fossil fuel and other natural resources to society and our daily lives:

  • Availability.
  • Geographic distribution.
  • Conservation/Stewardship.
  • Recycling.
  • Environmental impact.
  • Challenge of rehabilitation of disturbed lands.

2.07 Analyze the sources and impacts of society's use of energy.

  • Renewable and non-renewable sources.
  • The impact of human choices on Earth and its systems.

Earth/Environmental Science Competency
Goal 3		 The learner will build an understanding of the origin and evolution of the earth system.

Objectives
3.02 Evaluate the geologic history of North Carolina.

Earth/Environmental Science Competency
Goal 4		 The learner will build an understanding of the hydrosphere and its interactions and influences on the lithosphere, the atmosphere, and environmental quality.

4.01 Evaluate erosion and depositional processes:

  • Formation of stream channels with respect to the work being done by the stream (i.e. down-cutting, lateral erosion, and transportation)
  • Nature and characteristics of sediments.
  • Effects on water quality.
  • Effect of human choices on the rate of erosion.
4.02 Analyze mechanisms for generating ocean currents and upwelling:

  • Temperature.
  • Coriolis Effect.
  • Climactic influence.
4.03 Analyze the mechanisms that produce the various types of shorelines and their resultant landforms:

  • Nature of underlying geology.
  • Long and short term sea-level history.
  • Formation and breaking of waves on adjacent topography.
  • Human impact.
4.04 Evaluate water resources:

  • Storage and movement of groundwater.
  • Ecological services provided by the ocean.
  • Environmental impacts of a growing human population.
  • Causes of natural and manmade contamination
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

Earth/Environmental Science Competency
Goal 5		 The learner will build an understanding of the dynamics and composition of the atmosphere and its local and global processes influencing climate and air quality.

5.03 Analyze global atmospheric changes including changes in CO2, CH4, and stratospheric O3 and the consequences of these changes:

  • Climate change.
  • Sea level changes.

Sound to Sea Current Events Program:
Ninth Grade World History Goals and Objectives:
These Ninth Grade World History objectives will be covered during all Current Events 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.

Ninth Grade World History Competency
Goal 6		 Patterns of Social Order - The learner will investigate social and economic organization in various societies throughout time in order to understand the shifts in power and status that have occurred.

Objectives
6.05 Analyze issues such as ecological/environmental concerns, political instability, and nationalism as challenges to which societies must respond.


Ninth Grade World History Competency
Goal 7		 Technology and Changing Global Connections - The learner will consider the short- and long-term consequences of the development of new technology.

Objectives
7.01 Assess the degree to which discoveries, innovations, and technologies have accelerated change.

7.02 Examine the causes and effects of scientific revolutions and cite their major costs and benefits.

7.03 Examine the causes and effects of industrialization and cite its major costs and benefits.

7.04 Describe significant characteristics of global connections created by technological change, and assess the degree to which cultures participate in that change.


Ninth Grade World History Competency
Goal 8		 Patterns of History - The learner will assess the influence of ideals, values, beliefs, and traditions on current global events and issues.

Objectives
8.05 Analyze how the changing and competing components of cultures have led to current global issues and conflicts, and hypothesize solutions to persistent problems.
Sound to Sea Current Events Program:
Tenth Grade Civics and Economics Goals and Objectives:
These Tenth Grade Civics and Economics objectives will be covered during all Current Events 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.

Tenth Grade Civics and Economics Competency
Goal 4		 The learner will explore active roles as a citizen at the local, state, and national levels of government.

Objectives
4.04 Demonstrate active methods of promoting and inhibiting change through political action.

4.05 Analyze consequences of compliance or noncompliance with laws governing society.

4.06 Describe the benefits of civic participation.

4.09 Utilize various methods of resolving conflicts.


Tenth Grade Civics and Economics Competency
Goal 5		 The learner will explain how the political and legal systems provide a means to balance competing interests and resolve conflicts.

Objectives
5.01 Evaluate the role of debate, consensus, compromise, and negotiation in resolving conflicts.

5.06 Analyze roles of individual citizens, political parties, the media, and other interest groups in public policy decisions, dispute resolution, and government action.


Tenth Grade Civics and Economics Competency
Goal 7		 The learner will investigate how and why individuals and groups make economic choices.

Objectives
7.01 Describe the basic factors of production such as land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurial skills and their impact on economic activities.

7.02 Explain how scarcity influences producers and consumers to make choices.


Tenth Grade Civics and Economics Competency
Goal 9		 The learner will analyze factors influencing the United States economy.

Objectives
9.04 Assess how current events impact decisions made by consumers, producers, and government policy makers.

9.08 Analyze the influence of environmental factors, economic conditions, and policy decisions on individual economic activities.


Tenth Grade Civics and Economics Competency
Goal 10		 The learner will develop, defend, and evaluate positions on issues regarding the personal responsibilities of citizens in the American constitutional democracy.

Objectives
10.01 Explain the distinction between personal and civic responsibilities and the tensions that may arise between them.

10.05 Describe examples of recurring public problems and issues.

10.06 Discuss the consequences and/or benefits of the freedom of economic, legal, and political choices.


Sound to Sea Current Events Program:
Eleventh Grade United States History Goals and Objectives:
These Eleventh Grade United States History objectives will be covered during all Current Events 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.

Eleventh Grade United States History Competency
Goal 4		 The Great West and the Rise of the Debtor (1860s-1896) - The learner will evaluate the great westward movement and assess the impact of the agricultural revolution on the nation.

Objectives
4.02 Evaluate the impact that settlement in the West had upon different groups of people and the environment.

4.04 Describe innovations in agricultural technology and business practices and assess their impact on the West.


Eleventh Grade United States History Competency
Goal 11		 Recovery, Prosperity, and Turmoil (1945-1980) - The learner will trace economic, political, and social developments and assess their significance for the lives of Americans during this time period.

Objectives
11.03 Identify major social movements including, but not limited to, those involving women, young people, and the environment, and evaluate the impact of these movements on the United States' society.

11.05 Examine the impact of technological innovations that have impacted American life.


Eleventh Grade United States History Competency
Goal 12		 The United States since the Vietnam War (1973-present) - The learner will identify and analyze trends in domestic and foreign affairs of the United States during this time period.

Objectives
12.03 Identify and assess the impact of economic, technological, and environmental changes in the United States.

12.04 Identify and assess the impact of social, political, and cultural changes in the United States.