Education Programs Offered by the Asheville Field Office

Due to limited resources and efforts to focus those resources where conservation need is greatest, we are generally only able to offer classroom and field programs in Macon, Jackson, Graham, Swain, Haywood, Henderson, Transylvania, Yancey, Mitchell, and Union Counties.

Field programs
Macroinvertebrate sampling and water chemistry investigation
Grades 7-12
45 minutes – 1.5 hours

This program introduces students to the diversity of life in a stream and how it’s a reflection of water quality. Participants use kick nets to collect stream insects, snails, and other macroinvertebrates. They use simple keys to identify their catch and assess the quality ofthestream based on the animals they collect. Dip sticks areused to measure basic water quality parameters such a pH and nitrates. Note: the Fish& WildlifeService provides all necessary equipment. Educator is responsible for identifying a stream for study, arranging for transportation to and from the site, and meeting the health and safety requirements of your organization.Note: This program can be turned into a year-long stream monitoring effort to look at changes in water quality.

North Carolina science standards
8th grade, competency goals:
3.04 Describe how terrestrial and aquatic food webs are interconnected.
3.05 Analyze hydrospheric data over time to predict the health of a water system including: temperature; dissolved oxygen; pH; nitrates; turbidity; bio-indicators.
3.06 Evaluate technologies and information systems used to monitor the hydrosphere.
3.07 Describe how humans affect the quality of water: point and non-point sources of water pollution in North Carolina; possible effects of excess nutrients in North Carolina waters; economic trade-offs; local water issues.
3.08 Recognize that the good health of environments and organisms requires: monitoring of the hydrosphere; water quality standards; methods of water treatment; maintaining safe water quality; stewardship.

Earth/environmental science
4.04 Evaluate water resources: storage and movement of groundwater; ecological services provided by the ocean; environmental impacts of a growing human population; causes of natural and manmade contamination.
4.05 Investigate and analyze environmental issues and solutions for North Carolina's river basins, wetlands, and tidal environments: water quality; shoreline changes; habitat preservation.

Biology
5.01 Investigate and analyze the interrelationships among organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems: techniques of field ecology; abiotic and biotic factors; carrying capacity.
5.02 Analyze the flow of energy and the cycling of matter in the ecosystem: relationship of the carbon cycle to photosynthesis and respiration; trophic levels - direction and efficiency of energy transfer.
5.03 Assess human population and its impact on local ecosystems and global environments: historic and potential changes in population; factors associated with those changes; climate change; resource use; sustainable practices/stewardship.

 

Classroom programs
About the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Grades 8-12
1 hour
This presentation serves as an introduction to the work of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, including career opportunities, and how to plan your education to become a wildlife biologist or environmental professional.

Endangered Species and the Importance of Habitat
Grades 3-6
30 minutes – 1 hour
This presentation includes a discussion of endangered species, both on the global and local level, and the importance of habitat conservation for these plants and animals. This discussion highlights the interaction between habitat quality and plant or animal population health. Note: field or gymnasium space required.

North Carolina science standards
4th grade competency goals
1.01 Observe and describe how all living and nonliving things affect the life of a particular animal including: other animals, plants, weather, and climate
1.05 Recognize that humans can understand themselves better by learning about other animals.

5th grade competencies
1.02 Identify and analyze the functions of organisms within the population of the ecosystem: producers, consumers, decomposers
1.05 Determine the interaction of organisms within an ecosystem.
1.06 Explain and evaluate some ways that humans affect ecosystems: habitat reduction due to development, pollutants, increased nutrients

6th grade competencies
7.01 Describe ways in which organisms interact with each other and with non-living parts of the environment: coexistence/cooperation, symbiosis, mutual dependence

Identifying and Treating Sources of Water Pollution
Grades 6-9
1 hour
What are the water quality impacts of development? How can our actions affect water quality in our own neighborhood.? This session begins with an introduction to endangered species, both globally and locally, then focuses on aquatic species. The students have an opportunity to manage their own piece of imaginary property, then assess their management for stream impacts and determine ways to minimize or prevent water pollution.

North Carolina science standards
8th grade competency goals
3.07 Describe how humans affect the quality of water: Point and non-point sources of water pollution in North Carolina; possible effects of excess nutrients in North Carolina waters; economic trade-offs; local water issues.
3.08 Recognize that the good health of environments and organisms requires: monitoring of the hydrosphere; water quality standards; methods of water treatment; maintaining safe water quality; stewardship.

Earth/environmental science competencies
4.04 Evaluate water resources: storage and movement of groundwater; ecological services provided by the ocean; environmental impacts of a growing human population; causes of natural and manmade contamination.
4.05 Investigate and analyze environmental issues and solutions for North Carolina's river basins, wetlands, and tidal environments: water quality; shoreline changes; habitat preservation.

Biology competencies
5.03 Assess human population and its impact on local ecosystems and global environments: historic and potential changes in population; factors associated with those changes; climate change; resource use; sustainable practices/stewardship.