Lesson Plans
During these science lessons, students will use online resources from the Arkansas Geological Survey to analyze the environmental conditions surrounding the development of CCC sites in Arkansas.
5th Grade Science Lesson Plan
Science Standard 5-ESS3-1
Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
Task
Describe how the CCC used science ideas to protect resources while designing and building structures at the identified sites.
6th Grade Science Lesson Plan
Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
Task
Analyze the structures built by the CCC at each site (or a chosen or assigned site): Petit Jean State Park (1923), Mount Nebo State Park (1928), Crowley’s Ridge State Park (1933), Devil’s Den State Park (1933), Lake Catherine State Park (1935), and Buffalo River State Park (1938).
Evaluate how the design and construction of those structures minimized impact on the environment.
7th Grade Science Lesson Plan
Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth’s surface at varying time and spatial scales.
Task
Describe the physiographic regions of Arkansas and how they were formed through geoscience processes.
Describe how these regions’ characteristics and resources impacted the work of the CCC in building various structures at these sites: Petit Jean State Park (1923), Mount Nebo State Park (1928), Crowley’s Ridge State Park (1933), Devil’s Den State Park (1933), Lake Catherine State Park (1935), and Buffalo River State Park (1938).
High School Physical Science Lesson Plan
Develop a model to illustrate how Earth’s internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales to form continental and ocean-floor features.
Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
Task
Describe the current landscape/topography of the six (6) physiographic regions of Arkansas and how they were formed through geoscience processes.
Describe how these regions’ characteristics and resources impacted the work of the CCC in building various structures at sites across the state: Petit Jean State Park (1923), Mount Nebo State Park (1928), Crowley’s Ridge State Park (1933), Devil’s Den State Park (1933), Lake Catherine State Park (1935), and Buffalo River State Park (1938).
Optional Task
Divide class into 6 groups. Each student or student group randomly selects one of the six (6) CCC sites.
Describe the physiographic region of the site chosen. Include how it was formed through geoscience processes and the current landscape/topography.
Describe this region’s characteristics and resources and how they impacted the work of the CCC in building various structures at this site.
About the Author:
Mr. Keith R. Harris is a Research Associate and STEM Instructional Specialist in the UALR STEM Education Center. He previously taught a variety of science courses at the middle school, high school, and college levels, as well as with the teacher preparation programs at UALR.