Program Descriptions for Each Grade Level (With corresponding Academic Standards for Science) 2009-2010 School Year Kindergarten:   Program duration = approximately 30-40 minutes 1) Pollination Station – The importance of pollinating insects (specifically bees) in agriculture will be highlighted. Students will have a chance to participate in an interactive pollination activity. (K.1.1, K.1.2, K.2.2, K.6.1) 2) *A Little “Dirt” Won’t Hurt! – Students get their hands dirty; various soil types will be used to demonstrate the differences in texture, appearance, etc, and how vital it is to all living things! (K.1.1, K.1.2, K.3.1, K.4.1, K.6.1) 3) The Vegetable Garden – a Big Book will be read aloud and students will participate in an activity involving seeds and plants (the best time for this program is in the spring) (K.1.2, K.2.1, K.4.1) 4) Tommy Trout – Students will pollute Tommy’s “lake” with debris in order to visually demonstrate how important clean water is to all creatures. (K.1.1, K.1.2, K.3.1) First Grade:   Program duration = approximately 40 minutes 1) *It’s Alive! A Squirmy Soil Presentation – Soil is truly a living entity – discover a multitude of organisms that can be found in a fresh soil sample and study other important components. (This program is best scheduled before November and after February) (1.1.1, 1.1.3, 1.1.4, 1.2.5, 1.2.6, 1.4.4, 1.6.2) 2) The Wondrous Water Cycle – Students will learn about the three forms of water and its many uses. By demonstrating the cyclic nature of water, the importance of keeping it clean is stressed. (1.1.2, 1.2.6, 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3, 1.4.4) 3) Tremendous Trees – Learn all about the benefits of trees! Why are trees important to the environment and how do they tie in with soil and water? Tree materials will be brought in for demonstration. (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4, 1.2.1, 1.4.2, 1.4.3, 1.4.4) 4)  Seeds Get Around - What are the humble beginnings of the biggest trees and the foods that we eat?  Seeds, of course! Students will get to examine many different types of seeds and learn about how they are distributed over the countryside. (1.1.1, 1.1.3, 1.1.4, 1.2.6, 1.4.4) Second Grade:   Program duration = approximately 40 minutes 1)   Soil Pizza - It may not sound appetizing, but you will be amazed at all the ways in which soil and water tie into the creation of a single pizza! (2.2.5, 2.4.3, 2.4.8, 2.6.1, 2.6.2) 2) *Dynamic Decomposers – How is soil created? Did you know that it takes 500-1000 years for an inch of soil to form? Discover the organisms and other factors that contribute to the generation of new soil! (2.1.4, 2.1.7, 2.3.1, 2.3.4, 2.3.5, 2.4.4, 2.4.5) 3) Beneath Your Feet (Discover Groundwater) – Where does spring water come from and what is a sinkhole? How do our actions on the surface affect what goes on underground? Learn the answers to these questions and a little about geology during this presentation. (2.1.3, 2.3.5, 2.4.1, 2.4.3, 2.4.4) 4)  Weather Wise - Weather can be powerful! Can you think of any examples?  Some amazing weather phenomena will be explained and students will see that understanding the water cycle and knowing soil types can sometimes save your life! (2.1.6, 2.1.7, 2.3.1, 2.3.2, 2.5.1, 2.5.4, 2.5.5) Third Grade:   Program duration = approximately 45 minutes 1) Make Mine Milk – Students learn about Dairy production, from start to finish (…and you thought chocolate milk came from brown cows!) (3.1.6, 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 3.4.4, 3.4.6, 3.4.7, 3.4.9) 2) Where are Indiana’s Wetlands? - Learn the value of wetlands in Indiana, where they can be found, and what efforts are being made to try to rehabilitate these beneficial habitats. (3.1.6, 3.3.5, 3.4.1, 3.6.5) 3)  The Magic School Bus “Water Works” – Take a closer look at where our city water comes from and how it is cleaned by reading this fun and educational book! Learn some facts about water and our own community’s way of handling it.  (3.1.6, 3.1.8, 3.4.6, 3.4.8, 3.4.9) 4)   *Soils Scavenger Hunt- What is soil truly made of and what sorts of organisms can you find dwelling in it? Learn about the beneficial organisms that help create and nurture the soil firsthand through a scavenger hunt! (Best scheduled in early fall and late spring). (3.1.2, 3.1.5, 3.1.8, 3.2.6, 3.3.5, 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 3.6.5) Fourth Grade:   Program duration = approximately 45 minutes 1) Amazing Kernels of Corn – There are many products made from corn that might surprise you; learn about how soil and water fit into the production of this important and versatile plant! (4.1.9, 4.4.2, 4.4.4, 4.4.6) 2) Wonderful Wiggling Worms – Hands-on activity with real worms; learn how earthworms help improve soil quality and provide many benefits to humans. (Classroom Worm Farm optional) (4.1.4,4.2.7, 4.4.2, 4.4.3, 4.4.4, 4.4.6) 3) Karst in our Backyards – Students learn about the effects of karst topography, caves, and groundwater on people everyday. Explore mysterious habitats, creatures, and limestone features that make Southern Indiana unique! (4.2.7, 4.3.5, 4.3.6, 4.3.7, 4.5.5, 4.6.1) 4)  Conservation for Kids - Everyone is focused on being “green” these days; find out how kids can help with conservation at home and in the community. Take home some easy ideas, such as how to create a low-flush toilet, compost pile, and way s to reuse common household items. (4.1.6, 4.1.9, 4.3.13, 4.4.2, 4.4.6) Fifth Grade:   Program duration = approximately 50 - 60 minutes 1) Invasive Intruders! - What is an invasive species and what sort of harm can it cause?  How do they spread and where do they come from? Learn how to identify and eradicate some of the common invasive intruders in Lawrence County. Students will also get the chance to see if they can spot any around their school (weather permitting).  (5.1.6,  5.4.4,  5.4.5,  5.4.7,  5.6.3) 2)   What is a Watershed? (Enviroscape) - What is a watershed and how does it function? Students will explore a watershed through the use of an Enviroscape demonstration and then work in groups to responsibly organize a city of their own   based on knowledge of its watershed.  (5.1.3, 5.1.6, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 5.5.7, 5.6.1) 3)  Know Your Soils - Using a soil flowchart, students will work in groups to give names to different types of soils based on color, texture and other qualities. Discover why knowledge of local soil is important in many ways.  Everyone will have a chance to get their hands dirty with this program! (5.1.1, 5.1.3, 5.2.7, 5.2.8, 5.4.4, 5.4.6) 4) Environmental Energy Tangle – A class discussion and demonstration on how various components in an ecosystem (soil, water, sunlight, microorganisms, plants, and animals) interact. An energy web model will be used and different habitats will be highlighted. (5.1.5, 5.1.6, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 5.4.6, 5.5.7, 5.6.1, 5.6.3) Sixth – Eighth Grades:   Program duration = approximately 50-60 minutes   Academic Standards are generalized for each grade 1) Examining Benthic Macroinvertebrates – Students will understand the importance of these interesting organisms in indicating water quality as well as their respective roles in the environment. They will have a chance to view specimens up close and learn about taxonomy. Rehabilitation of stream ecosystems and wetlands, along with conservation methods will also be emphasized. (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4; 7.1, 7.3, 7.4; 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4) 2)   Careers in Conservation - An early introduction to some of the career fields where knowledge and interest in natural resources, such as soil and water would be put to use. Students will get the chance to ask questions about these types of jobs and learn how important science is when it comes to agriculture and the production of food and household goods.  (6.1, 6.3; 7.1, 7.4, 7.6; 8.1, 8.3) 3)  Living with Limestone – Limestone is an important part of Southern Indiana’s history – learn about its formation and how it has changed over the course of time. Also, learn to identify some of its unique fossil features as well as develop an understanding of karst topography and how it is constantly changing beneath our feet. (6.1, 6.3, 6.4; 7.1, 7.3, 7.4; 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4) 4)  “Magnifi”-cent Soils – Discover that soil is truly alive by getting a closer look at its components under a microscope. Learn to identify microorganisms and see how soil’s constituents interact to create a dynamic and vital resource for all living things. (You provide the microscopes, please). (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4; 7.1, 7.3, 7.4; 8.3, 8.4) Ninth-Twelfth Grades:   Program duration = approximately 50-60 minutes   Academic Standards are generalized to fit the following: ES.1, B1, ENV, but can be adjusted or specified to suit your class’s needs. 1) *Water Monitoring Lab – A Hoosier Riverwatch-based demonstration on water quality monitoring and the importance individuals can have in helping their community protect its public waters. (Must be able to spend class time outdoors at a nearby creek or stream; please schedule according to season – this program may require more time). 2) Conservation at Home - Learn about different consumer choices that can help conserve some of our resources such as soil, water, and money! These easy tips can be immediately implemented at home. Students will also have a chance to discuss and share other “green” ideas they may have.  Gardening and composting are often popular topics for this program! 3) Farming for Land’s Sake-Agriculture is a necessity to everyone (in more ways than you may imagine) and it is important to reduce farming’s impact on the environment. Discover and discuss ways in which traditional farming practices are being supplemented and updated by using conservation methods such as no-till, cover crops, rotational grazing and more! This is a great opportunity to discuss “green” farming practices and how everyone can benefit. 4)  In-Class Discussion – Open discussion of any Soil/Water-related topic (Ex. Responsible land use, consumer choices, stormwater pollution prevention, water quality, etc.)