8th Grade Science Presentations
Stormwater Services, in cooperation with Cape Fear River Watch and New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District, conducts Enviroscape watershed presentations for all 8th grade science classes in New Hanover County Schools.
What is the Enviroscape presentation?
The Enviroscape is a scaled-down model of a watershed that enables students to visually learn about stormwater runoff, water pollution, water quality, watersheds, and personal stewardship through a speaker-led presentation.
How does the presentation meet goals and objectives for 8th grade science?
The presentation directly correlates with the NC Standard Course of Study (NCSCOS) for 8th grade science:
Goal #3: The learner will build an understanding of the hydrosphere. The presentation also matches several objectives under Goal #3. More specifically, the presentation covers the following topics:
- Point and non-point source pollution and impacts
- What a watershed is and how it functions
- How stormwater runoff contributes to flooding, erosion and water pollution
- The water quality status of local creeks and waterways
- The connection between wetlands and water quality
- Using Best Management Practices (solutions) to protect water quality (i.e. rain barrels, rain gardens, buffers, land conservation, recycling, waste reduction, etc)
- Stewardship and personal responsibility for protecting the environment
How should a teacher prepare for the presentation in their classroom?
Presentations are pre-scheduled through the NHCS Middle School Science Coordinator. You should receive a copy of the schedule at the beginning of the Fall or Winter semesters (depending on when you have the Hydrosphere/Hydrology kit). When you are scheduled to have the Enviroscape presentation, it is a good idea to review the Enviroscape Notebook. This can be checked out in the Library/Media Center. The notebook contains information about the Enviroscape, as well as follow-up materials and other resources.
To prepare your classroom for the presentation, please have a table available to set up the Enviroscape. We will ask you to arrange the students in their chairs around the Enviroscape in a semi-circle (shortest students in the front) so that every student can see the presentation. Having a roll of paper towels on hand is helpful for cleaning up after the presentation as well.
Where can teachers find follow-up activities and other resource materials?
Writing/oral presentation prompts, science fair project ideas, schoolyard walk-a-bout activities, crossword puzzles, student value statements, resource bibliography, teacher evaluation forms, and other information related to the Enviroscape presentation are located in the Enviroscape Notebook that is available in the Library/Media Center. You can also access all of these materials by downloading them from the sidebar on the right side of this webpage.
In addition, the Enviroscape presentation is a fantastic pre or post visit activity for a field trip to Airlie Gardens or for reinforcing learning about the hydrosphere at any time of the year.
Who conducts the Enviroscape presentation to my 8th grade science class? How can I contact the Enviroscape staff?
The following agencies work together to deliver presentations to approximately 1,700 eighth graders (63 classes):
* TEACHERS! Please be sure to fill out and send us an Evaluation Form after your classes have viewed the Enviroscape Presentation. Click on the link above or on the right to download the form. Thank you!