First Grade Education Programs
First Grade
Eye on the Sky
Students will gain an understanding of the features and patterns of the sun and moon. Students will also have the opportunity to safely view the sun using one of our Sunspotter scopes (weather permitting).
• 1-1.1, 1-1.2, 1-1.3, 1-1.4, 1-3.1, 1-3.2, 1-3.3, 1-3.4
The Tiny Seed
Students are introduced to the life cycle of a plant through this interactive story. A make-n-take activity is included.
• 1-1.1, 1-1.4, 1-2.1, 1-2.2, 1-2.3, 1-2.4, 1-2.5, 1-2.6, 1-4.6
Second Grade
Weather Watcher
Students will become weather watchers and learn how to identify different weather conditions. They will also make a weather window for use in identifying clouds.
• 2-1.1, 2-1.2, 2-1.3, 2-1.4, 2-1.5, 2-3.1, 2-3.2, 2-3.3, 2-3.4, 2-3.5, 2-3.6, 2-4.1, 2-5.4
Extinction is Forever
Students will learn about endangered and threatened species of South Carolina and the leading causes for extinction. After classifying these species, students will graph the results and determine what steps can be taken to slow the extinction rate.
• 2-1.3, 2-2.1, 2-2.2, 2-2.3, 2-2.4
Third Grade
Birds and Worms
Students learn about characteristics and adaptations to understand the value of protective coloration as they pretend to be birds in search of "worms" in this physically involved activity. • 3-1.1, 3-1.3, 3-1.4, 3-1.6, 3-1.7, 3-1.8, 3-2.1, 3-2.2, 3-2.3, 3-2.4, 3-2.5
Fossil Discovery
Students will learn about and examine different types of fossils and gain an understanding of how they are formed. They will also have the opportunity to make their own "fossil" to take back to the classroom.
• 3-1.1, 3-1.5, 3-1.8, 3-3.3, 3-3.4, 3-3.6, 3-3.5, 3-3.8
Fourth Grade
Ecosystem Investigation
Students examine various characteristics of the environment including sunlight, soil moisture, temperature, wind, plants, and animals. Students will use the data they collect to draw conclusions about how nonliving characteristics influence the living elements in an ecosystem.
• 4-4.1, 4-1.2, 4-1.3, 4-1.4, 4-1.7, 4-2.2, 4-2.3, 4-2.5, 4-2.6, 4-4.3, 4-4.5
Who's Habitat is That?
Students will learn about habitats and which animals and plants live in them. Students will also learn about acquired vs. learned traits and adaptations formed in response to changing environments.
• 4-1.3, 4-1.4, 4-1.7, 4-2.1, 4-2.2, 4-2.3, 4-2.4, 4-2.5, 4-2.6
Fifth Grade
Wetland Ecosystem
Students will learn about the aquatic and terrestrial habitats within a wetland ecosystem. Key points include the roles of producers and consumers, predator/prey relationships and food webs.
• 5-1.1, 5-1.2, 5-1.6, 5-1.8, 5-1.3, 5-1.6, 5-1.8, 5-2.1, 5-2.2, 5-2.3, 5-2.4, 5-2.5, 5-3.1, 5-3.6
How Many is too Many?
Students portray black bears while looking for one or more components of their habitat. They will learn about limited resources and carrying capacity during this physically involved activity.
• 5-1.1, 5-1.2, 5-1.3, 5-1.6, 5-1.8, 5-2.2, 5-2.4, 5-2.5
Sixth Grade
Treemendous Trees
Using "tree cookies," students will examine a cross section of a tree trunk to learn the parts of a tree and how to properly determine the age of a tree.
• 6-1.2, 6-1.4, 6-2.1, 6-2.3, 6-2.4, 6-2.5, 6-2.7, 6-2.8, 6-2.9
Something's Fishy
Students will study the structure, process and responses of different types of live fish and examine the adaptations which allow them to survive in their environment. Students will also use a dichotomous key to determine the type of fish they study.• 6-1.3, 6-1.4, 6-3.1, 6-3.2, 6-3.3, 6-3.4, 6-3.5, 6-3.6, 6-3.7
More Information
Programs begin promptly at 10:00am and run until 11:30am. All programs (except high school levels) include a themed nature walk. Students will be divided into two groups and will rotate through the two 45 minute sessions/activities.
Programs occur rain or shine! When preparing for your field trip, please encourage your students to wear clothing and shoes that are appropriate for outdoor activities (including off-trail walking) and weather conditions.
Bring your lunch and enjoy the day—picnic tables are available! Also, be sure to visit the Environmental Discovery Center and canopy walk.
