FAQ's

Q. What is the Natural Resource Systems CAM and Rachel Carson Program?
The Natural Resource Systems CAM is earned through participation in Churchill High School’s Rachel Carson Center, a program where students form a community of learners who work together to gain a balanced, in-depth understanding of the natural environment through an integrated science and social studies curriculum.

Q. What do we do?

• Explore natural habitats, such as watching salmon spawn in coastal rivers
• Monitor water quality in local watersheds
• Conduct scientific surveys
• Observe, learn and work outdoors in teams
• Debate current environmental issues
• Hear from and work with Resource Management professionals
• Grow organic vegetables and plants in the garden and greenhouse
• Apply knowledge and skills to real world situations
• Create positive change within the school and larger community
• Use our own computer lab to complete web lessons and internet courses
• Go camping in the Redwoods, caving at Lava Beds National Monument or whitewater rafting

Q. What do we believe?

• The keys to generating attitudes of civic responsibility, collaboration and discovery lie in taking students into the world.
• The value, depth and retention of learning increase when it is applied to real world situations that matter.
• Experience based learning provides for the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for successful and active participation as a world citizen.

Second year students (seniors) earn 30 credits (15 science, 10 social studies and 5 language arts) by attending TWO regularly scheduled class periods (a combined Seminar/Field Studies class and a Careers class) and completing the Technical Writing and Environmental Law classes electronically via the internet.

What careers are related to the Natural Resource Systems CAM?

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Algebra I

This course serves as the anchor for all other Rachel Carson courses. These small group seminars will meet to discuss and debate topics related to natural resource issues. The seminar will be a place to discuss current events, learn from local professionals and facilitate the exchange of information between students and teachers. The seminar will also provide instruction in computer use, accessing on-line resources and address logistical concerns relating to other Rachel Carson classes. Students should expect to spend a portion of their seminar time on-line, outside of normal class time.

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Natural Resources Seminar

This course will provide students with hands-on learning experiences outside the school walls in local natural areas. The focus will be on learning and applying the skills and concepts used by professionals in assessing, monitoring and restoring natural areas. It is expected that all participants in this course will make a positive contribution to Lane County’s environmental health through active involvement in team-orientated field experiences and action projects. Students should expect to spend a large portion of their time outdoors during the class time.

The focus of this course will be the in-depth investigation of the relationships and interactions of living things with one another and with their environment. Topics to be covered include:

This is a cybercourse. Students should expect to spend the majority of their class time working independently on-line, completing projects and the course web lessons.

This course is devoted to the study of plants and their relationship to the environment. Topics will include:

Students will have the opportunity to use Churchill’s new greenhouse for plant research and for raising ornamental plants for sale to the public. This exciting new class will look at many aspects not normally covered in regular Biology classes and will include a strong field oriented component. Much of the course will be delivered over the internet. Students will work independently on greenhouse and field study components.

This course will explore the social and economic effects of environmental politics and conservation efforts. We will examine current local and global environmental issues by exploring how communities make complex decisions among competing interests. Specifically, we will study issues such as the Endangered Species Act and Toxic-Right-To-Know legislation and their impacts on the natural world and urban centers. Expect extensive use of the Internet and web-based lessons as well as an independent research project. Local conservationists and politicians will serve as resources.

This project period provides Rachel Carson students the time needed for independent research and development of a final project. Project topics related to natural resources and/or environmental studies will be chosen by each student. The end result will be a significant product with written, visual and verbal components. Presentation of the final projects will be showcased at the spring term Watershed Summit. The majority of the work in this class will be completed independently with the guidance of the Rachel Carson teachers.

This class is offered to Rachel Carson students returning for their second year. The focus is on a more in-depth study of issues related to cultural and natural resources. Students will be expected to produce independent research projects, present information on current events, and engage in debates on controversial issues.

Students in this course will engage in significant independent research projects. The focus of the projects will be on community service and could include: lesson delivery at elementary schools and middle schools, production of educational videos, web page construction and maintenance, publishing of the Rachel Carson newsletter, organization of public work parties, and development of public service announcements for KRVM radio.

Students in this class will be involved in a 6-10 week internship at local businesses, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. During this time, they will interview and shadow natural resource professionals. They will also receive job training and become a contributing member of the organization they choose to work with. The remainder of the semester will focus on the development of skills related to planning for post secondary experiences, leadership, self-awareness and communication.

This semester long course will focus on hands-on experiences in the Rachel

Carson garden and greenhouse. The course is open to all students. Class time will be divided between activities and projects in the greenhouse and garden and classroom seminars. Major course components will include:

Fall semester only.