Programs for Grades 3-6
Classes begin October 1, 2008
Ramblin’ Reptiles (Grades 3-6) New in November 2008!
Reptiles have inhabited this planet for 340 million years! This program takes a focused look at some of the Museum’s amazing ectotherms. Observe the locomotion of a tortoise, patterns of a snake, and/or special adaptations of a skink as we study the ancestors of dinosaurs.
Possible Animals: Desert tortoise, Blue-Tongued Skink, snake
Lesson Format: Exploration (30 min.)
Amazing Amphibians (Grades 3-6) New in November 2008!
Leap into the life of an amphibian. Amphibians can tell us much about our planet’s health. This program looks into the double life of these aquatic and terrestrial creatures, their life cycle, and their special features that make amphibians an important indicator species.
Possible Animals: California newt, Western Toad, Yellow-Legged Frog
Lesson Format: Exploration (30 min.)
Food to Fuel (Grades 3-4)
Food is the fuel that drives life on earth. Students explore the adaptations of animals that help them find their food or prevent them from becoming food. Experiment and discover how much food is required to fuel animals and observe a live animal to assess its special adaptations that help it to compete for food resources in an ecosystem.
Possible Animals: Reptile, raptor, or ferret
Lesson Format: Inquiry & Investigation (60 min.)
This program can travel to your site!
Program Length: 60 min.
Max Class Size: 30
Fee: $155 (travel fee may apply)
Days/Times: Mon.-Fri. 9:30am – 2:00pm
Birds of Prey (Grades 3-6)
Explore the fascinating world of eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls. Students will investigate the adaptations of these magnificent birds, discover what they eat by dissecting a raptor pellet, and test their senses to see how they would handle being a bird of prey.
Possible Animals: American kestrel, Saw-Whet owl, Great Horned owl, Red-Shoulder Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, Peregrine Falcon
Lesson Format: Exploration (30 min.) or Inquiry & Investigation (60 min.)
“Sense” of Space (Grades 3-4)
What do you see, hear, smell and feel? In this program, students explore and learn about an animal’s niche in nature. Discover what animals need to survive, where they find it in their “space,” and how individual organisms are connected to each other. Outdoor exploration is a must as we engage our senses to find what all plants and animals need for survival; food, water and space.
Possible Animals: Invertebrates, reptiles, birds, mammals, amphibians
Lesson Format: Inquiry & Investigation (60 min.) or Discovery Adventure (1.5-2hrs.)
This program can travel to your site!
Program Length: 60 min.
Max Class Size: 30
Fee: $155 (travel fee may apply)
Days/Times: Mon.-Fri. 9:30am – 2:00pm
Growing Green (Grades 3-4) New in February 2009!
Plants are a major group of life forms on earth. Plants provide people with wood to build things, food for us to eat, and oxygen for us to breathe. This class explores the plant kingdom through looking at plant form and function including pollinators, studying soil and decomposition, and exploring the Museum’s botanic gardens.
Lesson Format: Inquiry & Investigation (60 min.)
Adapted for Survival (Grades 3-4)
Wings for flight, patterns for mimicry, and specialized body parts for capturing food are all examples of adaptations that aid in an animal’s survival. This program looks at several different categories of adaptations including camouflage, mimicry and patterns; herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore; and the special features of predators or prey. This program includes small group discovery stations, outdoor exploration, engaging observation and investigation and live animal ambassadors that exemplify different adaptive strategies.
Possible Animals: Invertebrates, reptiles, birds, mammals, amphibians
Lesson Format: Discovery Adventure (1.5-2hrs.)
Green Energy (Grades 3-6) New in January 2009!
Energy is all around us! This class discusses different types of energy, studies solar and electrical energy, and experiments with the transfer of energy. A conservation message of the use of certain fuels to create energy and the consequences of those choices runs throughout the class. Experimentation with a Van de Graff generator, creating sun prints, investigating a solar oven, and/or trying to make fire may be part of the small group stations for this energetic program.
Lesson Format: Inquiry & Investigation (60 min.)
This program can travel to your site!
Program Length: 60 min.
Max Class Size: 30
Fee: $155 (travel fee may apply)
Days/Times: Mon.-Fri. 9:30am – 2:00pm
Wind, Waves & Ice (Grades 3-6) New in January 2009!
The geology of the earth is constantly changing. This class looks at naturally occurring phenomena in an engaging way. Feel the power of the wind with a home made kite, observe the waves that occur along the Bay, and study ice in a new light with “ice balloons”. Discuss how wind, waves and ice can and do shape our planet.
Lesson Format: Inquiry & Investigation (60 min.)
Marsh Muck (Grades 3-6)
Learn about the importance of protecting our wetlands while mucking about in the mud flats of the Coyote Point Marsh. Student scientists will observe shorebirds, investigate aquatic vertebrates with a seine net, study the composition of bay water, and seek out some invertebrates in the marsh mud.
Note: This is a field-based program located at Coyote Point Park Marina and is scheduled based on low tides.
Lesson Format: Discovery Adventure (2hrs.)
