K-12 Curriculum

The American Obesity Epidemic may be the greatest public health challenge facing America. The current generation of adolescents is likely to be the first to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. Recent statistics point out that, 2 out of 3 North Carolina adults are overweight or obese. Similar, startling statistics apply to younger generations, as well. Through this Problem Based Learning unit students will use data from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) to analyze changes in average, American BMI (Body Mass Index) since 1970. After coming to an understanding that significant changes have occurred in the average weight of the nation since 1970 students will explore many of the factors that have contributed to the dramatic shift. In addition, students will research the health consequences of being overweight or obese. Ultimately, students will produce a strategy for reducing the risk of obesity. Using the media of their choice, they will produce a product that expresses or explains the strategy. Each team of students must ensure that their strategy product is interacted with by at least 400 people.

In this project, much of the learning responsibility is placed on the student. The driving question is open ended enough that several answers and perspectives are possible. Students will be expected to conduct independent research and create a project that is unique and covers the topic thoroughly. Most of the classroom sessions are structured around viewing Weight of the Nation from HBO, reading articles, discussing and debating, and conducting hands-on activities.

Author: Vance Kite

• Biology
• Science
• Social Studies

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Students will be given the challenge of designing a wearable sensor system to help rescue dogs remain safe, while enabling the dogs to find the victims faster during the mission. Students must consider the physical challenges that the dogs face during their mission and what technologies would help the dog stay safe, as well as what technologies would enable the dog to find survivors faster. Using the design process will be fundamental for the students to solve these design challenges.

Students will conceptualize the design and then design a prototype of the design or a rendering of the product using a 3D modeling software. To make the lesson more realistic, you can invite a volunteer from a search and rescue dog organization to work with the students.  Most states have search and rescue dog organizations and before you begin the lesson contact the organization to see if you can have a volunteer come in throughout the project to work with students. Ideally, at the end of the lesson, a rescue dog and its handler can come to the class so that the students can meet the dog, hear from the handler, and present their designs to the handler to see if their design would be beneficial for rescue dogs.

Author: Hannah Elliott

• Technology

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Students will explore alternative energy possibilities as well as alternative energy careers available in North Carolina. NC State’s Science House’s partnership with FREEDM system center provides the base of information in which students will explore the sustainability of electrical energy options. By examining the FREEDM centers research students will be able to explain what the smart grid is and how industry, research, and education are working together to create a more sustainable electrical energy system.

Author: Ryan Monson

• Science

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Aviation themes excite students and help them become engaged in basic topics that are part of the focal points of the 7^th Grade Math Common Core.  This lesson uses the geometry of the circle and an Aviation compass to teach fractions, decimals and percentages.

The students will become more fluent in converting fractions into decimals and percent by using the degrees of a circle as fractions and converting them to decimals and percent. Students will know how the area formula of a circle is derived by cutting pieces of a circle and making a quadrilateral. Students will determine the circumference and area of a circle as well as portions of the circle.

Author: Mary Ella Jackson

• Math

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This is a project-based unit of study that was created for tenth grade Biology students. Students will learn and practice Mendelian genetics. Students will develop expertise in using pedigrees, punnett squares, and karyotypes in the diagnosis of case histories. Also, students will study genetically modified crops throughout the lesson and debate the use of these crops in the world today.

Learning Outcome:

• Students will be able to explain the double-stranded, complementary nature of DNA through the DNA Project.
• Students will be able to explain how DNA and RNA code for proteins and determine traits through the Protein synthesis with words activity.
• Students will gain an understanding of how to use pedigrees, punnett squares, and karyotypes through the case study experience.
•  Students will be able to explain what genetically modified foods are and where they come from through GMO research, questionnaire, and debate.
• Students will summarize how transgenic organisms are engineered to benefit society during the GMO debate.

Author: Kirk Kennedy

• Biology

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This is a project-based unit of study that was created for tenth grade Biology students. Students will learn and practice Mendelian genetics. Students will develop expertise in using pedigrees, punnett squares, and karyotypes in the diagnosis of case histories. Also, students will study genetically modified crops throughout the lesson and debate the use of these crops in the world today.

Learning Outcome:

• Students will be able to explain the double-stranded, complementary nature of DNA through the DNA Project.
• Students will be able to explain how DNA and RNA code for proteins and determine traits through the Protein synthesis with words activity.
• Students will gain an understanding of how to use pedigrees, punnett squares, and karyotypes through the case study experience.
•  Students will be able to explain what genetically modified foods are and where they come from through GMO research, questionnaire, and debate.
• Students will summarize how transgenic organisms are engineered to benefit society during the GMO debate.

Author: Kirk Kennedy

• Biology

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This lesson will provide an opportunity for middle school students to get to know what scientists do and how scientists became scientists. The important derivative of this lesson is to enhance the thoughts and extend conversations between middle school students, teachers, parents, and scientists of how careers in science are an exciting and worthwhile academic path and life goal. The lesson provides for classroom discussion, question and answer sessions, and hands-on activities to be used in a format that is easy and constructive for teachers, students, and the volunteering scientists.

Author: Jeff Faulkner

• Science

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Technology is giving us greater and greater control over our health. Today, people can download apps onto their cell phones to monitor some of their health conditions and to relay that information to their physicians. Wearable devices, such as Fitbits, encourage the wearers to stay motivated and improve their health by tracking their activity, exercise, food, weight and sleep.

In this project-based lesson plan, students will first get an overall look at nanotechnology and how this field of scientific research is being used to transform healthcare. Students are encouraged to work in teams to design a device that can help the wearer tackle health issues that plague students and that lessen their current quality of life. Students will be expected to conduct independent research and create a product that does not currently exist. The devices will need to be attractive, be devices that are energy efficient and be ones that will fit into the lifestyle of the wearer.

Author: Jeff Holland

• Science

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Thermoelectric Energy Generators could be one of the most promising forms of energy harvesting we’ve been able to perfect this century. The idea of thermoelectric energy generating is not a new concept. The voyager unmanned spacecrafts (Voyager 1 and Voyager 2) use a form of it, using radioisotopes as the heat source. This will allow them to continue their voyage through space until about 2020. Since its launch in 1977 Voyager 1 is currently the farthest known manmade object from the Earth. One current use of TEG’s (Thermoelectric Energy Generators) is for wearable devices. The goal is for these devices to be self-powered and energy saving with a long lifespan. The wearable will use heat energy from the body and the colder environment around the user as a means to generate electricity.

In this lesson students will learn the best materials to be used for TEG’s. Through data analysis of various element’s properties (specifically electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity) students will deduce that TEG’s need a metalloid or some alloy of these for the generators to work most efficiently.

Author: James Lamberth

• Science

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From the lamp on your nightstand to the complex smartphone in your pocket, electric circuits are all around us. In fact, without electricity, your body couldn’t function! In order to understand how everything from our bodies to computers work, students need to understand basic circuitry. This starts with learning how to create a closed circuit, add switches, and differentiate between series and parallel circuits. Students will use only paper, pencil, an LED, and a 9V battery to make their own circuits that will light a light emitting diode. Students are guided through their first circuit, and then prompted to draw their own circuit to build their knowledge through experimentation. The teacher will facilitate the learning by providing guiding questions to students.

Author: Andrew Kaufman

• Science

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The lessons provide an easy-to-follow framework for getting started with inquiry-based instruction using the schoolyard as a classroom. Science and math objectives are integrated throughout the activities. The lesson cycle is designed to introduce inquiry skills and procedures in the classroom first so students are well prepared for the outdoor inquiries. The lessons address the objectives of the Life Science Evolution and Genetics strand for Grade 2 as students explore variations and similarities among plant populations. Students will apply math skills as they collect, analyze and interpret data on the varieties and numbers of plants found in a schoolyard.

Author: Annie Jones

• Math
• Science

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This lesson plans uses student investigation to introduce self-cleaning and water repellant manufactured and natural products.  Students will be introduced to the micro- and nanostructure of such products and be introduced to the world of biomimicry through teacher facilitated instruction.  Following the investigation of these products, their structure, and the role of biomimicry in modern science students will complete a research project in which they attempt to solve a “real world” problem using their knowledge of biomimicry and nanoscience.

Author: April King

• Science

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This lesson sequence will introduce students to the idea of taking care of Earth through recycling, reusing, and reducing, as well as activities such as composting. Students will develop an understanding of garbage, where it comes from and where it goes, how much they create, and how it affects all humans. They will also sort garbage into categories, brainstorm ways to reduce garbage, and work to inform their peers about alternative to landfill waste and littering. Students will also engage in speaking and listening throughout this lesson sequence.
The teacher needs to consider the physical space necessary and ability to introduce living creatures (worms) into the classroom during this sequence.

Author: Caroline Courter

• Earth Science
• Science

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The face of food production has drastically changed over the course of the last fifty years. Foods that would traditionally perish after one week are now being processed and packaged to be shelf stable not for one or two months, but for years!  Some processes include preservatives and refrigeration, while others involve thermal processes such as Aseptic and Hot-Fill. Prior to any mass production of a marketable product, product innovators must develop the product, using a system for recipe development and custom product formulations. It is the job of product innovators and food scientists to help take the customer’s product from concept to a finished good.  Throughout the initial formula development, comprehensive testing is conducted to ensure the quality of the product meets the standards of both the customer and any state and federal regulations.

In this lesson, students will be transported in to a manufacturing setting within the walls of their classroom where they will act as product innovators, food scientists, and quality assurance lab technicians! Students will collaborate to determine specifics about the product and the required quality specifications.  Students will then produce sample applesauce puree prototypes, and conduct quality testing on each.  Within this lesson, much of the learning responsibility is placed on the student, and students will be expected to conduct their research and formulations within small groups. The majority of the classroom sessions will be structured around discussions, brainstorming ideas and processes, and conducting hands-on trial-and-error experiments.  This lesson is designed for students who have already completed or are taking Chemistry.  However, this lesson can be easily modified to accommodate other courses.

Author: Mollie Williams

• Science

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Students will utilize technology and hands-on research of the past, present, and future of our city on the topics of events, celebrations, cultures, military, education, landmarks, landscape, cityscape, people, government, transportation, and religion to commemorate their city and high school. (This project was originally designed for our city’s Sestercentennial and our high school’s Centennial celebrations.)

The students will design and create a mural using their skills of drawing, painting, and collaging to commemorate and pay homage to the history of the city and school. Students will gain a sense of the real life applications of a Visual Artist with the culminating understanding that nothing is created or happens in isolation as they learn that, in essence, a Visual Artist must use a full spectrum of knowledge, content, and collaboration to create this mural, which pays homage to our city and high school.

Author: Kellie Perkins

• Biology
• Language Arts
• Social Studies
• Visual Arts

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