K-12 Curriculum

The lessons in this module are designed to teach energy production to introductory biology students in the context of biodiesel production.  The biodiesel link gives them an application of carbon and nitrogen cycle typically taught during a first-year course.  In addition, students will use environmental science, economics and energy analyses to determine whether biodiesel is sustainable and a good idea.

This evaluation allows students to make an informed decision after studying the big picture.  With petroleum fuel supplies running low, and the interest in greenhouse gases and global warming on the rise, alternative fuels are important for all people. The lessons in this module can each be completed independently of the others, making them appropriate for a physical science, biology, chemistry, or environmental science class.

Author: Syeda Smith

• Biology

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Epigenetics is a relatively new branch of biology and biochemistry. Literally translating to “above the genome,” epigenetics examines the role that external/environmental factors serve in controlling the expression of an individual’s genes. This unit plan is designed to serve as an introduction to epigenetics and a survey of relevant applications to disease, biotechnology, and cellular functions. The unit spans approximately 1 week in a traditional (50-­minute period) high school Biology (9th, 10th grade) classroom.

The activities can be amended to increase the rigor for AP level students. The main components are:

1) Review of Genetics and an Overview of Epigenetics,
2) Histone Action Simulation, and
3) a Final Assessment, educating community members about epigenetics.

Author: Brooke Sauer

• Biology

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A 2013 study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics determined that 70% workers who had recently graduated high school were making at or below minimum wage. The healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing in the United States, and offers competitive pay for entry level positions. Through this unit, students will explore potential entry level careers in healthcare in Eastern NC hospitals. Additionally, students will research the level of education necessary to attain one of these entry level positions, and perform a cost benefit analysis of investment in education to increased pay. Using a media of their choice, students will explain their evaluations of the relative costs and benefits in regard to education and a career in healthcare.

Students will conduct independent structured research to assess the viability of various occupations within major area hospitals. Students will then align their profession of research with a local educational institution and perform a cost benefit analysis of perusing further education.

Most classroom sessions will consist of research, documentation, analysis and product creation that will demonstrate the students understanding and evaluation of careers in healthcare.

Author: David Roach

• Language Arts

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Through this project, participants will make a research project on how an unhealthy diet vs. healthy diet influences our health and well-being. Participants will survey two people from their family or friends about their eating habits and also how much they spend monthly for their food. Participants will use data to create functions that make connections between diet and health. Participants will study one variable (for example, Fats, Calories, Cost, LDL level), but they may choose more than one variable. Participants will make a connection between: money spent for food and Fats; Fats and Calories; LDL cholesterol level and Fats, and after that, they will deduct a connection between money spent for food and medical expenses.

All these connections will be modeled by mathematical functions.

Author: Felix Nagy-Lup

• Math

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The current world population is 7.4 billion (as of 2016) and is expected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050. As the population explodes, the need for a sustainable food supply will become an even bigger challenge. Agricultural scientists and farmers will be expected to grow more food on less land. In this project based learning experience, participants engage in a simulation in which they study how organisms interact in their ecosystem through the lens of agricultural science.

In this simulation, students work in cooperative learning groups forming a “nursery company” hoping to contract with Lowe’s Gardening Center. In order to earn Lowe’s business, they must have healthy plants ready for consumers before the planting season begins. The students conduct research on factors affecting plant growth (soil, water, light, and biotic factors). Then, students use a “choices handout” to guide decisions about how they will create their own desk-sized greenhouse. They will also design a blueprint of the greenhouse. They will use multimedia to present their solutions and justifications to an agricultural expert. After receiving feedback from the expert, teams will make any final changes and submit the greenhouse plan. Next, they will set up and maintain their greenhouses. The team with the tallest and healthiest plants (see scoring guide) will earn the business with Lowe’s to sell their plants.

Author: Stacey Guerrero

• Language Arts
• Science

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As a business owner it is important to always try and find ways to get your product out to the public in order to generate more business. National Spinning has recently transitioned to 12 hour shifts which means the plant operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week. With more hours being worked and more employees, it is imperative to have orders constantly and to keep up with the competition.

National Spinning was founded in 1921 and since then they have expanded their companies to meet the high demands of their customers.  They are the leading supplier in the United States of dyed and raw white short and long staple spun yarn.  They could potentially be a supplier worldwide if they continue to produce high quality yarn.

With that being said, new and innovative ideas are needed to take this company to a whole new level.  The creative products from the students can provide National Spinning a way to broaden their business to reach new customers as well as provide them with potential ideas on branching out and adding new divisions for the company.  They already have developed two other operating divisions that include Hampton Art and Carolina NonWovens.  Hampton Art produces paper and beading craft products and Carolina NonWovens produce the fibers used in insulation and bedding.

Author: Tasha Martinez

• Language Arts

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Private label products are everywhere within the retail market. Most people throughout the nation buy store-brand items instead of name brand simply to save money while grocery shopping not even realizing that most of the brands are produced within the same plant. The goal for the producer is to create a quality product at a lower cost, which is what happens at Bay Valley Foods in Faison, NC. It is the leading pickle and pepper supplier within the United States as well as the top retail market private label pickle packer. Additionally, they produce a broad range of other shelf stable foods for retail distribution as well as “Food Away From Home” items for use in restaurants.

Within this unit, students will be applying mathematical concepts within the eighth grade curriculum to the production and packaging of pickles. The lessons within the unit will address concepts relating to volumes as they relate to real-life experiences within a pickle plant. Students will be deducing volumes of three-dimensional figures and applying these concepts in order to figure out cost analyses within the business.

Author: Amy Kennedy

• Math

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The world of biotechnology is constantly changing and developing with changes in scientific understanding and technology. In the wide field of biotechnology, researchers are developing solutions for issues in human health, conservation, and agriculture. Some many comment that humans have developed ways to combat the rise in the world population with innovative biological technologies. With all of this dynamic science, students need to understand the tools and the actions needed for real use of biotechnologies. Yet students also need to understand that new and changing scientific fields have many unanswered ethical questions. In order to discuss the ethical implications of biotechnology, we must first understand the “How” and look at the process that scientists take to complete these scientific tasks. In this unit students will use three focused units of study to understand the processes and application of biotechnology and understand the ethical considerations.

Author: Beth Helms

• Genetics
• Science

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This is a Project Based Lesson (PBL) designed as an extension to the Marketing Unit.  The 5 main components are (1) Investigate (2) Research(3) creation of a product (PowerPoint, pamphlet or poster) (4) presentation to the class.(5) educational display to exhibit to the community.

Participants will investigate and conduct independent research on solar energy and solar energy products then use this research to create a Marketing product.  Participants will apply the 4 P’s of Marketing (product, price, place and promotion) to a new solar business they will manage. Participants will be expected to create a 3-5 minute presentation on a solar energy business they will own.  Participants will use the Internet and YouTube videos to investigate and research, and industry guest speakers to obtain project information.

Author: Joanne Jeffries

• Earth Science
• Economics

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Most students don’t usually consider the source for electric power that is vital for their day-to-day activities. This lesson unit will provide the opportunity for students to investigate, research, and analyze the steps that transform energy from ‘raw material’ (coal, oil, natural gas, solar energy, wind energy, nuclear energy, etc) to ‘power’ that they use for charging their phones, and using their computers and television.

Students will complete a series of inquiry based activities that lead them on a course to discover what really happens when they turn on the lights– from the site of the mining, collection, or generation to the power plant or point of distribution to the transmission and delivery of electric power to their homes.

Students will focus on conservation and the importance of being good stewards of natural resources as well as possible career choices related to electric utilities.

Author: Leigh Ann Hudson

• Earth Science
• Science

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During the past decade, a financial recession swept across the nation. While media reports indicate that the national economy is recovering, little has been done in the public school systems to address building financial literacy in students. In fact, only four states in the nation require a minimum of one semester of a financial education course for graduation. North Carolina does not require such a course, though it does attempt to build some financial literacy objectives into the curriculum for math courses.

In the vacuum created by the lack of course-requirements, financial institutions like Coastal Federal Credit Union are reaching out to communities to young people. This curriculum is designed for use in such small-group settings. This lesson is designed to introduce students to budgeting in a three-hour course.

Author: Emmalea Couch

• Economics

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Manufacturing Plants like Ply Gem make wise decisions to harvest the most energy possible using the least amount energy. Lean manufacturing process like this are vitally important for improvement of environmental issues.

Isaac Newton’s Law are fundamental to life. Newton realized that objects fall to the ground on Earth, once in motion they stay in motion, and forces have opposite and equal reactions.

Using lean manufacturing ideas, the science of Newton, the Engineering Design Process, and much needed “soft skills”; like communication and teamwork, will help students achieve success.

Author: Heather Roof

• Engineering
• Math
• Science

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The focus of this lesson is for students to obtain a better grasp of what matter is and how it changes. The essential questions for the lesson are:

• What is matter?
• How can we describe matter?
• How can matter be changed?
• How can we describe the changes that take place in matter?

As students go through the lab activities, they will have several opportunities to make connections between matter, properties, and changes. They will use an analysis sheet to record their observations of the changes as they are occurring.

Author: Toni Stadelman

• Science

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Students will be working on math lessons that involve measurement, unit conversion, dimensional analysis, and percent error calculations. These skills are used routinely in manufacturing on a daily basis. Frequently, workers are required to convert from metric to standard measurements depending on customer specifications. In order to stay within tolerance levels manufacturers must be able to cut, fit, and affix parts with a high level of accuracy. This lesson functions as an engineering primer. Regardless of what your students will be building this lesson will take them through measurement, cutting, and assembling a low cost model. This will allow you to see what the students’ skills are like before turning them loose on a more expensive building project.

Author: John Scarfpin

• Math

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The alternative fuels industry has been steadily growing for the last several years due to the concern over the depletion of our non-renewable energy sources and the need for cleaner energy. North Carolina, and especially Sampson County, is on the cutting edge of alternative fuels technologies, yet this information is not being widely known within the community and training programs to prepare students to work in this industry are still in development stages.

In this lesson, students will become familiar with existing alternative fuels technologies being used in our state, how they are being used, and explore marketing strategies used in this growing industry.

Author: Elizabeth Pack

• Agriculture
• Earth Science

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