El Niño and La Niña
The ENSO or El Niño Southern Oscillation refers to one of the most important climate phenomena on earth. This phenomenon influences weather worldwide. ENSO consists of 3 states: El Niño, La Niña, and Neutral. For these states to occur, there must be changes in both the ocean and the atmosphere. Neutral Conditions Typically, water near […]
Earth’s Gravitational Field
A CAROLINA ESSENTIALS INVESTIGATION Total Time Prep: 15 mins Activity: 30 mins Physical Science, Earth and Space Science Grade Level 9-12 High School Quick Links Close Quick Links Open Quick Links Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction Looking at Earth’s gravitational field […]
Determining the Age of a Star
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 35-45 mins Prep: 15 mins | Activity: 20-30 mins Earth Space Science 8-12 Middle / HighSchool Total Time: 35-45 minutes [ Prep: 15 mins | Activity: 20-30 mins ] Subject: Earth and Space Science Grade: Middle & High School Overview Use this activity as a student-based or teacher-led phenomenon […]
Invertebrate Biodiversity with Berlese Funnels
A CAROLINA ESSENTIALS INVESTIGATION Total Time Prep: 1 hour Activity: 5 days Life Science Grade Level 6-12 Middle/High School Quick Links Close Quick Links Open Quick Links Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction Understanding the relationships among biotic diversity and abiotic factors […]
Use Bubbles—Observe Wind Speed and Direction: Ask a Question and Plan an Experiment
A CAROLINA ACTIVITY Total Time Prep Time: 10 min Class Time: 45 min Earth and Space Science Students: Groups of 2 Grade Level K-5 Elementary School Asking Questions and Defining Problems Planning and Carrying Out Investigations Varies by grade. See Performance Expectations below. ·        Cause and Effect  ·        Energy and Matter Introduction In this […]
The Ups and Downs of Weather
A Carolina EssentialsTM Demonstration Total Time: 10-30 mins Prep: 10-30 mins Earth and Space Science 6-12 Middle/High School Overview Three concepts are paramount to understanding weather basics: temperature, pressure, and the Coriolis effect. Air temperature and pressure affect the density of an air mass. Differences in density set up convection currents that move air both […]
Invertebrate Biodiversity and Abiotic Factors
A Carolina EssentialsTM Investigation Total Time: 4+ days Prep: 30 mins | Activity: 4+ days Life Science | Earth Science 9-12 High School Overview Understanding the relationships between biotic diversity and abiotic factors in an ecosystem can be a difficult task. Using soil invertebrates, students can identify both the number of species present in a […]
Water Quality Awareness
A CAROLINA ESSENTIALS ACTIVITY What is the current state of the global water supply? Total Time Prep: 15 mins Activity: 15 mins Life Science, Environmental Science Grade Level 6-12 Middle | High School Quick Links Close Quick Links Open Quick Links Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials […]
Succession on Mount St. Helens
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 45-60 minutes Prep: 15 mins | Activity: 45-60 mins Life Science | Earth and Space Science 9-12 High School Overview This data analysis and data visualization exercise uses a small portion of data generated by the biologist Roger del Moral from the University of Washington, Seattle. Students analyze the eruption and […]
An Inquiry into Seed Germination
A CAROLINA ESSENTIALS INVESTIGATION Total Time Prep: 15-20 mins Activity: 40 mins Life Science | Environmental Science Grade Level 6-10 Middle/High School Quick Links Close Quick Links Open Quick Links Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction This NGSS-aligned activity is a student […]