Estimated Duration: 1-1.5 hours

The students will learn what adaptations are, identify some potential adaptations, and create a novel organism that has creative adaptations suited to its environment.

Estimated Duration: 1 hour

Students will learn how to assess data. The students will be given one of two graph that are misleading when viewed separately. They will see the full dataset at the end.

Estimated Duration: Whole day, 7.5 hours

Students will explore the aquatic ecosystem through conducting field experiments by looking at the stream chemistry, physical habitat and biodiversity within a stream. Students will obtain data and present to other group members their results.

Estimated Duration: 1 hour

Students will learn about ecology and ecosystems through two activities: identifying biotic, abiotic, and cultural components while hiking; and simulating how limited resources affect animal populations.

Estimated Duration: 1.5 hours

Valuing the environment depends on a various number of factors. Students will put a value to the environment and debate whether a new hydroelectric dam should be placed in a North Carolina county.

Estimated Duration: 1 hour(up to 2 hours with optional extension activity)

In this lesson, students will be introduced to environmental justice by learning about the history of Environmental Justice in NC and through a Step Forward/Step Back activity. In-depth debrief discussion will follow. Students will also interpret visual representations of the environmental justice issue of CAFOs in NC.

Estimated Duration: 1 hour

The students will learn about environmental politics by creating and analyzing a power map related to the issue of CAFOs in NC. The students will determine who has the most/least power and how likely those people will agree/disagree with their goal. They will then create and analyze a power map related to a goal they want to accomplish collectively, and write a letter to a stakeholder.

Estimated Duration: 1-1.5 hours

Students will learn about evolution through a simulation of natural selection. During the simulation the students will draw histograms to analyze during the debrief/discussion period.

Estimated Duration: 3-3.5+ hours

They will use a Tree ID book to identify species and use their sense of touch during a blindfold tree bark game. Lastly, they will conduct a town hall debate about managing the Pisgah Forest using role-play.

Estimated Duration: 4 hours

Students will walk through Earth’s geologic time while hiking through the forest. Each event occurs at a certain distance from the starting point. At each major event, the students will explain what happened in Earth’s geologic time and North Carolina’s.

Estimated Duration: 2 hours

Students will learn about minerals and rocks as a resource, for humans and for ecosystems, through two activities: identifying minerals and different rock types while hiking to Shining Rock; and a group discussion focused on questions of conservation and human needs related to geologic resources in North Carolina.

Estimated Duration: 1.5 hours

Students will read about the history of Pisgah National Forest, and then make a skit about its history to present.

Estimated Duration: 30-45 min

Students will learn how to make observations, ask questions, and make connections.

Estimated Duration: 1-1.5 hours

Students will learn what a testable question is and conduct a mini-investigation of a testable question of their choosing.

Estimated Duration: 2 hours

Students will go on a hike at nighttime to gain an understanding of the various senses and adaptations animals use at night to survive. The lesson includes using all 5 senses.

Estimated Duration: 1 hour

Students will review what a testable question is and conduct a second mini-investigation of a testable question of their choosing

Estimated Duration: 1 hour

Students will collect and identify invertebrates (insects and spiders) at night.

Estimated Duration: 1.5-2 hours

Students will learn about population sampling, and they will measure and interpret average and variance of leaf sizes of different tree species.

Estimated Duration: Whole day, 7.5 hours

Students will explore various terrestrial ecosystems with a series of field experiments designed to teach them about the terrestrial environment from the ground up using the concept of a “meso-ecotone.” Students will obtain data and present their findings to other group members.

Estimated Duration: 45 minutes

This activity speaks on the use of the resources on Earth called the commons. Students will demonstrate the issues with individual and collective action through an activity with goldfish, chopsticks and cereal. Sustainably fishing is possible when positive collective action is put to the forefront.