Does North Carolina require science courses to have laboratory experiences for students?
Yes, all of North Carolina’s Standard Course of Study Science courses are designed to include laboratory experiences as an integral component. Further the courses taken to meet the entrance requirements for the University of North Carolina and many other Institutions of Higher Education must be laboratory based. It is up to the teacher and the local school district to determine which laboratory experiences will be most beneficial for their students given local facilities and opportunities; however, all students must be provided with laboratory experiences. The support documents recommend some appropriate laboratory experiences for each course. Laboratory investigations and scientific inquiry are important for developing student understanding of scientific reasoning, providing a bridge to understanding of abstract topics, and developing the skills and interests needed to do science. All students should be provided multiple opportunities to participate in scientific investigations.
