PBS NC is moving beyond broadcast and into NC science classrooms, with its eye firmly set on propelling K-12 education toward complete equity. With that goal in mind, our learning design team produces robust, fully (NCES) aligned and completely blended science lessons that merge highly interactive digital components with hands-on projects and distribute them via the acclaimed national education platform PBS LearningMedia. Our latest educational resource, Keeping Water Renewable, begins with an inquiry animation (voiced and audio engineered by high school students) that asks What makes water renewable, and how do we keep it that way?” Students then move through a robust series of components to explore the issue of water sustainability in North Carolina. Along the way, they compare water supplies and qualities in different areas of the state and make their own inferences regarding climate injustices. By the end of the lesson they have enough information to begin strategizing ways to become involved in efforts regarding climate resilience. During the presentation, audience members will participate in a hands-on, water-related project from the lesson. We will then engage them in our ongoing needs assessment; we are in constant conversation with North Carolina teachers on ways we can improve and expand our resources in ways that best serve educators and empower students. Their suggestions have been, and remain, invaluable.
