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Ecosystem Explorations for K-12 students
Spring 2010

Cary Institute educators are ready to come to your classroom and welcome you to our 2,000 acre ecological research site! All of our programs promote outdoor, scientifically valid educational experiences for K-12 students, scout troops and other groups. Each program supports the New York State Learning Standards and can be tailored to suit your specific needs. Pre- and post visits by our educator into your classroom are encouraged. If bus logistics prohibit field trips, talk to us about adapting these programs for your classroom and schoolyard.

Schoolyard Programs:

Eco-Blitz: your schoolyard as an ecosystem

Grades 3-12
One 2 hour session and one 1 hour session (for elementary) or three 40 minute sessions (for Middle and High School)

In this investigation, students explore the many ways in which an ecosystem functions by participating in an ecological assessment of their schoolyard. In the first of several visits, students are introduced to the ecosystem concept and collect scientifically valid data on several living (i.e. flora and fauna) and nonliving components (i.e. microclimate data, decomposition rates, soil) of their schoolyard by rotating through mini research stations. In the final session, students synthesize their data and are introduced to important ecological concepts including biodiversity, food and interaction webs, and nutrient cycles. Elementary aged students create a wall mural to represent their findings and explore the many ecological connections present in their schoolyard while middle and high school students generate mathematical representations of collected data and are exposed to relevant, current research in the field of Ecology.

Bursting, Budding and Blooming: explore the arrival of spring in your own schoolyard

Grades 3-12
Two-three 60-90 minute sessions (for elementary) or two-three 40 minute sessions (for Middle and High school)

In this investigation, your schoolyard becomes an ecological field site and your students become ecologists as they observe, record, and collect scientifically valid data on plant growth stages. By exploring the field of phenology (the study of the timing of natural events), students are introduced to several scientific concepts including plant life cycles, seasonal changes, climate change, and the impact of a changing environment on living organisms. In the first of several classroom visits, educators from the Cary Institute introduce and set up the investigation. Teachers then facilitate simple, regular observations of the study plants over a period of several months. An optional second session midway through the investigation allows students to begin analyzing their data while gaining a more in depth understanding of phenology. The investigation culminates with a session at the end of the school year where students graph data and analyze their results before submitting their findings to Project Budburst, a nationwide citizen science program.

Cary Institute educators are happy to come to your classroom and schoolyard to compliment your curriculum. Popular schoolyard investigations include schoolyard biodiversity assessments, plant life cycle studies, water cycle mapping, collecting evidence on schoolyard food webs, and more! Please call us to organize a program that will suit your needs!

Field Trips to the Cary Institute:

Primary Producers: the services plants provide to people

Grades 3-12
2 hours

This program highlights the importance of plants in producing the food and oxygen that humans and other creatures need to survive and grow. Students will visit the Cary Institute forest to collect data about the pivotal role plants play in the water cycle, and how the plant community changes over time. Programs for high school students use research instruments to study plant physiology. Photosynthesis, sources of American crops, forest ecosystems and decomposition will be covered in this program.

Botanical Bounty: forests and plants for budding scientists

Grades K-2
1.5 hours

Geared for younger grades, this program asks students to explore the diversity of plant life while describing plant parts and witnessing the plant life cycle.

Water Life: the ecology of aquatic ecosystems

Grades 3-12
2.5 hours

Students will explore aquatic plants, animals and microbes by comparing small ponds and the Wappinger Creek. Students will draw and write about their findings, measure important aspects of water quality, and collect and identify various organisms. Educators can conduct this entire program at a stream or pond near the school, if buses are not available.

Water on the Move: the hydrology of our forest

Grades 3-12
2.5 hours

The water cycle comes to life and becomes local and significant. Students ask the question: how do we use, pollute, and move water? By using a stream model and groundwater wells and walking on our trails, students will explore each stop along the water cycle. Our walk will bring us to the Wappinger Creek, a wetland, and the Cary Institute’s Environmental Monitoring Station.

Fees

  • Schoolyard visit: $100 (Reduced rates for when more than one class register for a program)
  • Field trip: $100
  • Field trip with Pre- and Post- classroom visits: $200

To register for programs contact us at (845) 677-5343.

These programs will be led by Megan McLean, Education Program Specialist at the Cary Institute. For more information about program content contact Megan at (845) 677-7600 ext. 190 or via email

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