Field Trips

Protecting the Park (3rd Grade)

Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Math,Science

The environment is tied together. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the plants and animals all around us are all interconnected. How do we take steps to ensure the safety of these natural resources? We study and learn about them! In Protecting the Parks, 3rd graders get a chance to try their hand at citizen science while learning about biodiversity in their backyards. 

This 90 minute program uses "bioblitzes" or quick searches for plants and animals, to do inventories and accounts of what exists in their local areas. Bioblitzes are used throughout the country as a way to use the public to gather large amounts of data that would take single scientists years to acquire. From bioblitz activities scientists have discovered new species of insects, and by using bioblitzes over several years scientists have observed patterns of change in different locations. 

Students spend 45 minutes in the classroom learning the importance of biodiversity and how to keep data and the last 45 minutes will be outside field exploration. This program offers great foundational information for our fifth grade program Tracking Nature's Seasons. 

3 students grouched in leaves looking for insects

Last updated: December 16, 2018