K-12 Curriculum

Piedmont IB Middle and Ranson IB Middle Schools teach students the international baccalaureate curriculum in conjunction with NC ELA and CTE standards. All IB programs aim to develop internationally minded people who recognize their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet and help to create a better and more peaceful world. Moreover, this renewable energy career project teaches students the urgency and importance of learning about future careers to help the earth.

Grade Level: 6-8

Content: English Language Arts (ELA), Career Technology Education (CTE)

Authors: Wyounda Horton and Elijah Watson

• Career Development
• Career Exploration
• ELA

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This lesson provides a tabletop tool for teaching student collaboration in the classroom. By tapping into students’ existing knowledge about teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and other collaborative skills, you can help them make relevant connections to science content.

Author: Janice West, 2023-24 Kenan Fellow

• STEM

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Inquiry-based unit to help 7th-grade students understand the life cycles of drosophila and become comfortable with the science inquiry. Students will become comfortable using stereoscopes and observing patterns of different or recurring phenotypes in Drosophila.

Author: Christine Sudzina Schut, 2023-24 Kenan Fellows

• Biology
• Science
• STEM

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This guide provides educators with the steps to build a solar-powered greenhouse on school campuses and tips for creating hands-on learning experiences that combine plant science with renewable energy.

Authors: Shavon Via and Trey Nichols, 2023-24 Kenan Fellows

• Agriculture
• Earth Science
• Environmental Science
• Science

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In this unit, students will learn about North Carolina’s biotech industry and the five major steps in the drug development process while practicing the 4Cs: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.

Author: Jessica Odom, 2023-24 Kenan Fellow

• Biology
• Biotechnology
• Career Exploration
• Science

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The History of Weather can be characterized as a theme-based unit to spark student interest in history and geography through the development of a timeline. The timeline will showcase how various civilizations have used weather forecasting throughout history. Connections can be made with the “fundamental needs of humans” lessons and extensions for physical sciences and geography.

Author: Joy Mason, 2023-24 Kenan Fellow

• Earth Science
• Social Studies

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In this lesson, students will develop their problem-solving skills in the secondary context through computational thinking. Students are presented with challenges that require students to develop generalized strategies for addressing novel problems beyond the immediate scope of their understanding.

Author: Rick Lage, 2023-24 Kenan Fellow

• Science

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Students will learn how gravity is used in IV bags to administer medications to patients in hospitals. Students will understand the unicellular and multicellular organisms, human body systems, and the basics of gravitational pull. They will learn about the following human body systems: circulatory, nervous, respiratory, digestive, skeletal, and muscular.

Author: Kendra Hughes

• Health Care
• Science

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Students will learn the concept of automation, understand how simple machines can be used for automation, and design and build a simple automated device using basic materials.

Author: DaChelle Gupton

• Science
• STEM

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Through these lessons, students will develop team skills with a focus on how to effectively communicate and collaborate and build critical thinking and creativity known as the 4Cs in education.

In this project, students will work to improve their communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking (4Cs in education) skills while exploring the field of biotechnology. Students will work together to investigate how bio solutions impact our daily lives, and develop an understanding of the different job opportunities available from bio solutions companies. This project enhances students’ understanding of how to use critical thinking when evaluating resources, give and receive feedback, and communicate their research findings in a creative way.

Grade Level: 6-7

Author: Heather Graham, 2023-24 Kenan Fellow

• Career Development
• Project-Based Learning
• Science

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Wilderness for All is a resource guide for careers, education, participation, and diverse outdoor experiences. The guide is meant to help teachers, students and anyone interested in environmental stewardship understand that environmental careers and outdoor recreation are attainable and meant for all of us.

It is not an exhaustive list, but a starting point. As with any materials used in your classroom, please preview those resources before using them with students to make sure they are age-appropriate for your teaching situation. Some of the resources are more appropriate for adult learners.

Grade Level: All

Author: Eric Eaton

• Career Development
• Earth Science
• Environmental Science

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C. elegans are particularly useful in the study of the aging processes because the organism passes through several distinct phases of life which can be observed physiologically and genetically using a dissecting microscope.

Grade Level: 11-12

Author: Edwin Davis

• Biology
• Science

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Students will identify and research the overuse of nonrenewable energy sources as it relates to heating homes. Then they will research and come up with strategies and designs for a solar heater that will help reduce the reliance on nonrenewable energy resources.

Author 

Erica Whitt

• Science

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The hydrosphere is a large portion of the 8th-grade science curriculum. There is a limited amount of fresh water available on Earth compared to the world’s population. This lesson challenges students to explore how they can use social media to promote the protection of Earth’s water. Students will work in teams to create a branded social media campaign across X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube on how and why people should protect Earth’s water. Students will use their understanding 8.E.1 science standards to create their social media posts/videos.

Author

Rachel Neckermann

• Earth Science
• Science

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Students start at an early age being asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It is something that most students have thought about or considered. In middle grades and the start of high school, they have opportunities to discover more about themselves. This activity will lead to a better understanding of the career path that is right for them.

Author

Jennifer Taylor

• CTE

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