Paper No. 16
Presentation Time: 5:15 PM
THE CATAWBA RIVER DISTRICT LEARNING LABORATORIES INFORMAL SCIENCE PROJECT
The Catawba River District Learning Laboratories Project (CRD) is a partnership of the Catawba River District, UNC Charlotte's Center for STEM Education, the Charlotte Research Institute, Discovery Place Science Museum, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and Gaston County Schools in North Carolina. The project goals are to engage students in experiential, informal science, and to create an informal science infrastructure for the greater community of the region. The CRD is envisioned as a K-20 initiative, and includes representatives of the region's K-12 and collegiate institutions as well as curricular and planning experts outside of the K-20 systems. Twelve Learning Laboratories (LLs) are being planned near economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in western Mecklenburg and eastern Gaston Counties along the Catawba River. Inquiry-based LLs focus on real-world phenomena involving biology, botany, Earth sciences, ecosystems, environmental science, hydrology, nutrition, and soil sciences. The LLs comprise: a wetlands lab; soils, topography, and geology along the Carolina Thread Trail; analysis of native and invasive species along the Carolina Thread Trail; development of the Ira Rankin and Catawba Heights school-based gardens; construction and maintenance of a sustainable organic garden and ecosystem; a "local protein" farm for egg, and wool and milk/cheese production from goats or sheep; renewable and sustainable energy and water for farm support; an "eat local" partnership with K-20 schools; community supported agriculture collaborative hosted by CRD K-20 schools and local expert farmers; running the Mt. Holly Cotton Mill in partnership with Discovery Place Science Center to explore native materials use and technology; hydrology and stormwater engineering in the Mt. Holly River Street Park in partnership with the Schiele Science Museum; and water quality and ecosystems in the Belmont Riverfront Park. All LLs are linked to NC STEM core curriculum and standards.