In this multi-day lesson, students will study the function and use of Tji Wara crest masks of the Bamana people of Africa. Using the masks as an example, students will develop a cultural study of their personal talents to create their own crest masks. Students will then choreograph a dance to go with their mask. Essential questions asked:
What are Bamana Tji Wara crest masks? In creating a crest mask of my own, how can I show what I am good at? How do I make choices to include in my choreography?

Students will improve visualization skills through role play, texture identification, and creating an original work of art depicting their own families. They will also discuss connections between the painting and their own lives.

This lesson will focus on how to sculpt a functional object in clay. By sculpting a cup, students will learn routines for working with clay and strategies to create a successful sculpted object. They will also learn that people long ago in Guatemala used similar cups to drink hot chocolate. Essential question asked:
How can we use clay to create a usable object?

In this two-part assignment, students will consider personal reflection and change as they create a two-sided collaged self-portrait that will be cut and folded into a Boustrophedon book form, also known as "snake book form." Inspired by Portrait of Emy, by Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, both portraits (focusing on the recent past and the future) will include text, color, and shape abstraction. After the collages are finished, the book is folded, and cut into a spiral “snake form” effectively merging the artist’s past, current, and future identities into one textured, sculptural form.

NCpedia is an online encyclopedia that covers a broad spectrum of topics and resources about North Carolina, including: historical time periods, subjects, and events; biographies; geography and environment; business and economy; historical places and monuments; natural resources and natural heritage; and many others. NCpedia also includes thousands of images. NCpedia's articles are all written by trusted contributors that include professional and independent historians, librarians and archivists, museum professionals and many subject specialists.

A tale of two beetles! Visit with the Neighborhood Naturalist as we compare the native Green June Beetle (June Bugs) and the non-native Japanese beetle.

Nature happens at home. Observe regular feeder visitors to discover which birds are year-round residents and which are migratory species, here for only part of each year.

Join the Zoo's Neighborhood Naturalist digging into some soil in search of amazing and beneficial Earthworms!

The North Carolina Zoo's Neighborhood Naturalist demonstrates how to keep ourselves safe, while protecting habitats for native wildlife.

What happens when an insect is unintentionally brought into the country, has plenty to eat and very few predators? The Neighborhood Naturalist takes a look at Japanese Beetles.

Naturalists often need "tools" to assist in our learning. Binoculars help us see birds, Field Guides aid in identification. Join the Neighborhood Naturalist as he demonstrates how to make a tool that will help learn about animals that live in the water.

Can Non-Native Plants and Animals that become established in a new place become vitally important?

Using the Minnow Trap we made several weeks ago, let us take a look below the surface to see who is living in the North Carolina Zoo Wetland Pond!

You ride past them every day, but how often do you get out to appreciate the Wildflowers growing right along the side of the road? Join Mr. Bob, the Zoo's Neighborhood Naturalist as we take a walk along the shoulder of the road!

Join the Zoo's Neighborhood Naturalist as we look at ways to make your yard "Hummingbird Friendly"-- mixing your own nectar and selecting feeders that will help avoid unwanted insects, while getting up close with some of these amazing little birds.

You mean there is some science regarding how I cut the grass? Join the neighborhood naturalist as we look at the advantages of leaving your clippings on the lawn!

This site provides a map outlining all 100 counties in North Carolina. Clicking on a county provides an explanation concerning how people, events, and developments brought changes or recognition to that area. The history of the county is provided as well as manufacturing information, population demographics, and agricultural products specific to that area. Information concerning the roles that North Carolina communities have played on a state and national level is provided (ie. High Point being the "furniture capital of the world" and New Bern being the birth place of Pepsi-Cola). Entrepreneurship endeavors that have influenced the economy are provided for select counties such as