Learning Opportunities 2007 /

Transcription

1 Learning Opportunities 2007 /

2 Welcome to The Schuylkill Center! The Schuylkill Center s 350-acres of natural area are a learning laboratory. Located in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia, The Schuylkill Center offers a variety of distinct habitats that invite student learning. All of our programs address concepts included in the Pennsylvania academic standards for Environment and Ecology in the context of our fields, ponds, woodlands and streams. Learn more about the many initiatives at The Schuylkill Center at Field Trip Extras! --- Discovery Center --- Picnic Grove --- Visit our Bookstore and Giftshop --- Free Bus Program for schools in need 2 The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education

3 Table of Contents Half-Day Programs 4-5 Two-hour landscape-based lessons reinforce science concepts from the classroom (see relevant academic standards with each program description). Trailside exploration of the environment and interactive activities are integral to every program. Collection and analysis of environmental data are the basis for select programs. Full-Day Programs 6 Three-hour programs offer students the opportunity to explore science concepts in greater depth within the context of the natural environment at The Schuylkill Center. Morning and afternoon sessions, separated by a lunch period, complement one another. Programs at Your School 7 Let us bring an engaging natural history or environmental science lesson to your school! Choose any one of our activity-filled hour-long programs or let us customize a program to fit your needs. Grades pre-k through 12 Low Ropes Challenge Course & Team Building 8 The low ropes course, set in the shade of the high forest canopy, offers a unique and memorable experience for students. Participants learn the value of cooperation and leadership, and exercise the mind-body connection through these fun and challenging programs. Grades 5 through 12 Water Education and Stewardship Programs 9 Learn about water, our most vital natural resource. Activities highlight the many ways that humans depend upon and impact watersheds and wetlands. Grades 3 through 12 Teacher s Page & Calendar of Educator Workshops 10 Mark your calendar now for this year s Act 48 workshops offered at The Schuylkill Center. Loan Boxes return! See descriptions for the kits we ve assembled to supplement your classroom lessons! Look into the resources we offer to enhance teacher s content knowledge and skills for teaching students in and about the environment. How to Register 11 Our programs address the PA and Environment and Ecology Standards: 4.1 Watersheds and Wetlands 4.2 Renewable & Nonrenewable Resources 4.3 Environmental Health 4.4 Agriculture & Society 4.5 Integrated Pest Management 4.6 Ecosystems and Their Interactions 4.7 Threatened, Endangered & Extinct Species 4.8 Humans & the Environment 4.9 Environmental Laws & Regulations (Please see program descriptions for applicable standards.) The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education 3

4 Our half-day programs Our half-day programs include a two-hour landscape-based lesson that capitalizes on children s natural curiosity about nature. Our experienced educators interpret the ecological concepts that your students are studying in classroom. The science content of each lesson is grade-appropriate and can be tailored to your specific needs. In-season picnicking is also available in our shaded picnic grove. Fees for Half-Day Programs: $6 per child; $60 minimum. Deposit required - see How to Register section. p. 11 Half-Day Programs Storybook Stroll (pre-k and K; year-round) Reading and nature exploration a perfect combination! We will introduce your young students to life in the forest with the storybook In the Woods: Who s Been Here? Afterward, we will take a walk specially designed to reinforce the concepts of animal life and animal interactions presented in the story. Sensory Nature Ramble (pre-k and K; year-round) Hear birds sing, see dragonflies soar, smell flowers and leaves, feel the different textures of nature and much more! Students will learn how animals, including humans, use their senses in order to survive as they explore nature in our fields, forest and ponds. (Environment & Ecology standard: 4.6) First Look at a Pond (grades pre-k - 2; Sep Nov and Apr Jun) Explore two unique ponds and learn about the variety of plants and animals that live there. Discover why a pond is such a great habitat! The diversity of animal and plant life in and around our five ponds and handson exploration of this ecosystem combine to make this a popular, memorable program. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.1, 4.3, 4.6, 4.7) Pond Community (grades 3 12; Sep -Nov and Apr - Jun) In this lesson, we take a deeper look at the life of a pond. Following a review of the organisms that make-up a pond community, we explore the dynamic relationships that exist between organisms and with the nonliving components of the ecosystem. We also focus on the impact of humans on freshwater environments. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.1, 4.3, 4.6, 4.7) Ecosystem Exploration (grades 1-12; year-round) We will explore field, forest, and pond ecosystems to observe the interactions between plants, animals and fungi and learn how organisms rely on the non-living components of an ecosystem. For older students, we focus on the concept of energy flow through an ecosystem, and highlight the influence of successional changes and human impacts an ecosystem. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.1, 4.3, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8) Amazing Adaptations (grades 3 12; year-round) The abundant biodiversity at SCEE is a wonderful context for learning first-hand about the characteristics that help plants and animals survive to reproduce in their habitat. Students will come to understand why some organisms are very successful, and how human impacts to the environment can imperil populations. Environment & Ecology standards: 4.3, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8) Winter Adaptations & Animal Tracking (grades 1 12; Nov March) The winter months are an ideal time of year to see signs of animals. Tracks, scat, nests and owl pellets are easier to find when the leaves fall. Learn the strategies of local plants and animals for surviving Pennsylvania winters. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.6, 4.7) Wetlands Ecology (grades 4 12; Sep Nov and Apr - Jun) Students will discover the importance of wetlands as they experience first-hand the features and functions of our riparian wetlands. Wetlands are defined by the presence of certain plants and soil types, and students learn to identify a wetland based on the presence or absence of these characteristics. (Environment and Ecology standards: 4.1, 4.3, 4.6, 4.7) 4 The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education

5 Incredible Insects (grades 1 8; Sep Nov and Apr--Jun ) Explore our fields, forests and ponds to learn about the many species of insects and other arthropods living at SCEE! This lesson focuses on the physical characteristics of arthropods, their adaptations for survival in a variety of ecosystems. Students will come to appreciate how diverse insects are, and how dependent the environment is on these small creatures. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.3, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8) Solar Energy & the Environment (grades 4-12; year-round) The Schuylkill Center s 10.2 kw solar array provides a dramatic backdrop to this lesson about how energy naturally flows through the environment, and how people utilize energy-producing resources. A hike through the meadow will emphasize how energy moves within an ecosystem. Students will use photovoltaic cells to power their own creations. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.1, 4.2, 4.6, 4.8) Seeds to Trees to Soil (grades 4-8; Sep Nov and Mar--Jun) From the creation of soil to the survival strategies of trees, this program will engage students in the natural history of trees and their vital function in the forest ecosystem. Students will learn how to identify trees by observing leaves, bark, tree shape and fruits, and they will explore for evidence of the many animal, fungal and plant species that depend on trees. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.2, 4.3, 4.6, 4.7) Water Survey (grades 4 12; year-round) Discover the importance of water to all life. Students review the water cycle in the context of our landscape as they consider the source and quality of their drinking water. Hike to a pond, stream, or wetland and learn to assess the health of a stream through a variety of chemical and biological tests. Students also learn the basics of habitat assessment. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.1, 4.3, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8) Alien Invaders & the Balance of Nature (grades 4 12; Sep Nov and Apr - Jun) How can an organism become a pest? We explore how some plants and animals upset the natural balance within an ecosystem. Learn about how some invaders have altered The Schuylkill Center s landscape and how Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can control these organisms without the use of chemicals. Ideas for how students and teachers can use IPM to address their own pesty issues are also part of the study! (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.3, 4.5, 4.6) Biodiversity (grades 4 12; Sep Nov and Apr - Jun) Variety is the spice of life! We focus on the biodiversity found in the fields, forests and ponds at SCEE. Learn some of the methods scientists use to measure biodiversity, and why biodiversity is so important to the health of the environment, and the quality of our lives. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.3, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8) The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education 5

6 Our full-day programs are built around a theme and give students and teacher time to study and experience the environment. Trail hikes and indoor activities offer a comprehensive exploration of a specific topic. Fees for Full Day Workshops: For grades 4 through 12 $10 per student; $100 minimum. Deposit required see How to Register section, page 11 (special fee schedule for Challenge Course Program) Full-Day Programs Aquatic Ecology & Water Quality (grades 4 12; year-round) Students learn to conduct chemical, physical and biotic assessments of water quality in a pond or stream at SCEE. Our educators engage students in a discussion about water as a limited natural resource and lead them in the building of a model watershed and an activity that explores the impact of the human built environment on water quality. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.1, 4.3, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8) Ecosystems & Adaptations (grades ; year-round) This program will go far to reinforce for students the concept that every species has a unique set of characteristics that helps its members to interact with living and nonliving components of an ecosystem, helping them to survive and reproduce. Students will learn how the environment influences a species adaptations through the process of natural selection. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.1, 4.3, 4.6, 4.8) Wildlife Study (grades 4 12; Sep Nov and Apr Jun) Students see and hear a variety of wild animals in their daily lives; squirrels in their yards, songbirds in the trees, and turtles crossing the street. Students will explore wildlife at The Schuylkill Center and will learn how human activities impact wild animals and how to improve habitat for wild animals. Students will observe injured animals from the Center's Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic first hand and learn how the clinic cares for injured wildlife. (Environment & Ecology standards:: 4.6, 4.7, 4.8) Angling for Pennsylvania Fishes (grades 4 10; Sep Oct and Apr Jun) Learn to fish through a fun and educational experience based on the PA Fish & Boat Commission s SMART Angler program. Students will learn about the biology and habitat needs of freshwater fish and the important role of fish populations in freshwater ecosystems. Students will have the opportunity to catch and observe the variety of fish species that live in our Wind Dance Pond. Fishing and safety equipment provided. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.1, 4.6, 4.7) Our Watershed: River to Drinking Fountain (grades 4 12; Sep Nov and Apr Jun) The Schuylkill River is an important resource for our region. Can your students tell you why the river is so important? In collaboration with the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center (FWWIC), The Schuylkill Center offers a full-day program that travels to both sites to teach students about the critical connection between watershed protection and water quality. Students will explore the ecology of SCEE s unimpaired stream which flows into the Schuylkill River, and will visit the interpretive exhibits at FWWIC to learn how communities within the Schuylkill River Watershed impact the river. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.1, 4.3, 4.6, 4.8) Design Your Own Full-Day Program Choose any two Half-Day Programs from the previous pages and we will create a unique program to fit your needs. Full-Day Program Schedule 10:00am - 11:30am Arrival and morning program 11:30am - 12:00pm Lunch 12:00pm - 1:30pm Afternoon Program 1:30pm Departure 6 The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education

7 Challenge Programs Located under the shade of a high forest canopy, the Center s Challenge Programs encourage students to test their mental, physical, and cognitive abilities and to share keen insights with their peers; to trust each other as individuals; and to make positive contributions to the group dynamic. Individuals will work cooperatively, listen attentively, provide meaningful feedback and develop group problemsolving skills while successfully maneuvering the team building and low ropes elements, under the guidance and supervision of our trained facilitators. Team-Building (grades 5-12; Sep Nov and Apr - Jun) Students develop leadership, cooperation, and persistence skills while having a day of fun in our Team-Building Program! Small groups of students participate in a series of initiatives that challenge the mind-body connection. In the process of designing a solution to the challenge, they learn to respect the contributions of each team-member in an effort to think outside of the box as the team works together to overcome obstacles. Facilitators provide meaningful contexts and debrief continually so that the students may grasp the application of game strategies to their life at school or home. Low Ropes Course (grades 5-12; Sep Nov and Apr - Jun ) Take teamwork to the next level with our Low Ropes Challenge Course; a fun, innovative and highly experiential program. Student teams develop camaraderie and learn to trust while learning to set goals and communicate more effectively! Ropes and tension wires are anchored securely to trees and rise no higher than three feet above ground to provide for a series of simple and more complex team challenges, including Tension Traverse, Wild Woozy, Multi-Vine, and Nitro Swing. While there is a physical component to each activity, emphasis is placed on participation to the best of one s ability and each individual s level of challenge is by choice. For information and fees for special programs, please call , x The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education 7

8 Programs at Your School Senses & Nature (pre-k and K) Tactile activities, sharing, movement, and discovery make this program a memorable and educational experience for your students as they explore nature in your schoolyard using their sense of sight, touch, hearing and smell. (Environment & Ecology standard: 4.6) Butterflies & Other Insects (grades 1-5) From the creepy-crawly to the magnificent, insects are a constant source of amazement to children. We will explore several different species of insects, including butterflies, as we learn how they are adapted to their environment, and the various ways they undergo metamorphosis. Students will come to appreciate how diverse insects are, and how dependent the environment is on these small creatures. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.3, 4.6, 4.7) Wildlife Protectors (grades 1-12) Help your students learn about their role in protecting local wildlife, from city squirrels to migrating birds. Students will learn about the work of the Schuylkill Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic, which treats injured animals from around the greater Philadelphia region. Non-releasable animals (a box turtle, rabbit or others) are included in this program. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.6, 4.7, 4.8) Auditorium Programs: Raptors; Wildlife of Pennsylvania (grades 1-12) Non-releasable animals at the Schuylkill Center s Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic are the stars of this unforgettable experience for children. Wildlife Rehabilitator Rick Schubert will describe the lives of these animals in the wild and discuss with the students the threats that exist for animals living in an urban environment. You can choose to focus on just birds of prey (hawks and owls) or do a more diverse program including an opossum, a turtle, a rabbit, a vulture, and a hawk. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.6, 4.7, 4.8) Pennsylvania Mammals (grades 1-12) Increase interest and appreciation among your students for mammals native to Pennsylvania! We will bring artifacts, such as hides, bones, skulls, scat and track impressions to share with your students as we develop their understanding of the identifying characteristics of various mammal species. Concepts explored include adaptations, threatened and endangered species, and wildlife protection. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.2, 4.3, 4.8) Schoolyard Ecosystem (grades 3-12) Students will be amazed that a wide variety of organisms find their schoolyard a very suitable habitat, one where they are able to meet all of their survival needs. We will help your students explore their schoolyard for signs of the plants and animals living there, and consider the multitude of interactions that constitute the schoolyard ecosystem. We will discuss the core concept of biodiversity and help your students gain an appreciation of the role of their schoolyard as an ecosystem. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.3, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8) Trash Bash (grades 1-12) How much trash does the average American throw away each day and where does it all go? We have a big trash problem in America! During this lesson, we will look at what we throw away, discuss the fate of our trash, and explore how we can reduce our daily contribution to the trash stream by adhering to the three R s (reduce, reuse, recycle). (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.2, 4.3, 4.8) Watershed Education and Stewardship Programs (please see page 9 for complete description) Fees for Programs at your School (except Schuylkill Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic program): $100 per class (up to 30 students - $3 each additional student) Travel fee: $10; may be subject to additional travel fee depending on length of travel time. Schuylkill Wildlife Rehabilatation Clinic program $200 (single class or auditorium) 8 The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education

9 Watershed Education Programs Watershed Education (Grades 3 12) SCEE educators visit your classroom or schoolyard to explore with your students specific concepts related to water quality, water usage, watersheds and wetlands, with particular emphasis on the impact of humans on water resources. Choose one or more of the following programs: What s with Water A comprehensive introduction to water as a natural resource and a thorough exploration of the water cycle. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.2, 4.3, 4.8). Watershed Mapping Walk students will learn about non-point source pollution and then take a walk in the neighborhood of their school to look for examples of pollution. Returning to the classroom, they will discuss what they found and brainstorm ways to improve water quality through changing human behavior. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.8). Watersheds and Water Pollution Students build a model watershed and learn how human behavior affects life there by following the journey of Fred the Fish as he attempts to survive in a polluted city river. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.8). Wetlands and Water Quality Students learn how these special ecosystems act as sponges, purifiers, buffers and nurseries. Your students will then construct a model to learn how our drinking water is cleaned at a water treatment plant. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.8). Water Quality Testing Students model the work of scientists as they use a combination of chemical and biological tests to determine the water quality of a local waterway. (Environment & Ecology standards: 4.2, 4.3, 4.8). Let us introduce your students to the essentials of water and excite them about the possibilities of becoming active stewards of their local streams and rivers. We can also assist you and your students in identifying an area of focus for their efforts; and work to design, implement and assess a service project in your watershed. Choose to combine any of our Watershed Education programs to create a unique educational unit of study. Fee for Water Education Programs at your School: $100 per program per class (up to 30 students - $3 each additional student) A travel fee applies and is dependent on mileage and length of travel time. Fees for Water Education Programs at your school: Watershed Education: $100 per program per class (up to 30 students - $3 each additional student) Travel fee: $10* *May be subject to additional travel fee depending on length of travel time. The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education 9

10 Teacher Memberships A Teacher Membership ($40.00) includes the following benefits: 20% discount on Bookstore/Gift Shop purchases Free admission to one Act 48 Professional Development Workshop Access to Loan Box program $1.00 off per child for Half-Day Programs and $2.00 off per child for Full-Day Programs during the months of December February Discounts at participating nature centers nationwide along with the many other benefits of Schuylkill Center membership. for more details Teacher s Page Act 48 Professional Development The Schuylkill Center is approved by the PA Department of Education to offer Act 48 Professional Development workshops. Workshops are $20 per teacher. Generous contributions allow us to offer many supplemental materials for this year s workshops, including books, manipulatives and more at no extra cost to teachers! Please check our calendar at for upcoming Act 48 workshops! PA Reptiles & Amphibians Saturday September 29th 9am - 3:30 and Sunday September 30th 11 am -3 pm PA Reptiles & Amphibians is a multidisciplinary curriculum guide produced by the PA Fish & Boat Commission, designed for classroom educators, K-12. Awareness (basic biology), Habitat, Identification, and Responsible Human Actions are the four units with lessons to assist Pennsylvania educators in teaching concepts from the standards in the Ecology and Environment and Science and Technology subject areas. Bring a lunch. Project Learning Tree Saturday November 10th 9am - 3:30 pm PLT uses the forest as a window on the world to increase students' understanding of our environment; stimulate students' critical and creative thinking; develop students' ability to make informed decisions on environmental issues; and instill in students the commitment to take responsible action on behalf of the environment. Indoor and outdoor activities will be incorporated into this introduction and training. Pennsylvania Songbirds Saturday, January 19th, 9am - 3:30 pm Prepare your class to participate in Project FeederWatch this school year. Leigh Ashbrook, Schuylkill Center educator and expert birder, will lead this workshop on the PA Songbirds curriculum supplement that addresses bird biology, habitat, identifying and observing birds, research, bird and human interactions, and actions that individuals can take to protect birds and their habitat. Pest Management in the Classroom Saturday, March 8th, 9 am - 3:30 pm Do your students know what a pest is? Why is pest management an important environmental issue? Recent historical practices for dealing with pests include a barrage of chemicals. Learn about alternative methods for dealing with pests and how to incorporate these concepts into your classroom lessons. This workshop is in collaboration with the Penn State Extension Philadelphia Outreach office. 10 The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education

11 Wonders of Wetlands Saturday, April 5th, 9 am -3:30 pm WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands is a fantastic curriculum supplement that introduces teachers to the ecological functions and benefits of wetlands and addresses why wetlands have become an important political topic. This workshop will include several of the activities from the supplement and an exploration of The Schuylkill Center s wetlands. Bring a lunch and dress for a hike. Strategies in Environmental Education: Focusing on the standards Saturday, April 19th, 9 am-3:30 pm Environmental Education doesn t have to be a separate subject or focus in your curriculum. Learn a variety of methods for integrating EE into your classroom lessons and strengthen your students comprehension skills. This workshop will give you useful tools for incorporating the Environment & Ecology standards into a range of classroom settings. Bring a lunch. Solar Energy Shakedown Tuesday, July 8th, 9 am-3:30 pm Discover how the sun s energy is transferred into electricity through the technology of photovoltaic cells. Gather useful tips for addressing the Environment & Ecology standards for renewable energy, and learn fun and practical ways to incorporate solar energy into classroom lessons and outdoor exploration. Bring a lunch. Loan Box Program Fees for the kits are $25/week along with a credit card deposit. Solar Energy Kit This kit includes a Solar Pathfinder to aid in learning about sun s trajectory across the sky. (An instructional DVD/CD-rom is included). The kit also includes a set of K NEX Education Solar Energy including four solar panels, two capacitors, lesson plans and an instructional CD-Rom. This Loan Kit includes two 15-Range Digital Multimeters used for measuring the voltage produced by the solar panels. Urban Wildlife Kit This kit, stocked by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, includes the pelts and skulls of many of Pennsylvania s mammals. Replitracks and Repliscats are also part of this popular classroom tool. Suggested lesson plans and references are included. Enviroscape Watershed Model Introduce your students to the concept of a watershed and nonpoint source pollution by using a hands-on Enviroscape model. Your students will have the opportunity to contribute nonpoint source pollution to the landscape and then watch as the rain shower washes the pollution into the rivers. Lesson plans are included. How to Register To Schedule a Program: Please call the Registrar at (215) ext. 110, who will be happy to assist you in choosing the most appropriate program and date for your students. Deposits are required to hold your program date. Programs are rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held inside. Where is the Schuylkill Center? SCEE The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education 11

12 8480 Hagy s Mill Road Philadelphia, PA Nonprofit Organization US Postage P A I D Philadelphia, PA Permit No. 1571