Why we care
Several counties in North Carolina face economic challenges and potentially impacts of coastal and ocean acidification on local economies and ways of life. There is a strong need to bolster understanding of the scientific method and consuming scientific information of relevant challenges such as ocean acidification. This project delivers ocean acidification education focusing on the scientific method and understanding the impacts of ocean acidification in Title 1 schools that serve some of the highest Indigenous and underserved populations in the state.
What we will do
As members of the Lumbee Tribe, project leaders aim to improve environmental and ocean acidification literacy for the tribe and surrounding communities. This project includes three main education modules in Title I schools in four Tier 1 counties facing economic challenges in southeast North Carolina.
First, students will learn how humans influence ocean and coastal acidification through hands-on activities. Second, students focus on the scientific method by conducting their own investigations on the impacts of ocean acidification on shellfish. They will use data and synergistic research and collaboration from NOAA’s Ocean and Coastal Acidification Data System (OCADS) and the the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA) and and the several monitoring sites such as the Pivers Island Coastal Observatory (PICO), the Neuse River Estuary and Monitoring Project (MODMON). Third, students will learn about trophic level and food web impacts of ocean acidification.
Student work will be highlighted and disseminated in partnership with North Carolina Sea Grant to increase reach and awareness of the program and ocean and coastal acidification.
Benefits of our work
This project delivers critical environmental and ocean acidification education to Title I schools in rural Tier 1 counties in North Carolina. Tier 1 counties in North Carolina are defined as counties with with poor economic well-being and the most economically distressed. Additionally, the work will reach the highest Indigenous student populations in the state. Products highlighting this increase in ocean acidification education capacity will increase reach and awareness.
Investigators
Erika Young, North Carolina State University
Courtney Lamb, Littlefield Middle School
More about ocean acidification in North Carolina
Image: North Carolina seen from space from MODIS on NASA’s Aqua satellite on June 30, 2022