Kindergarten
Program Theme: BEEP Jr. Explorers (PSR/LTR)
Lab Study: Critter Taxidermy
Field Study: Earth Materials Investigation
Eco-Hike: Explorers' Hike
Using their senses and simple tools, students will make observations of taxidermy animals and learn what it takes to survive in the wild. They will explore the natural world around them, by using scientific tools to make observations and predictions, as they have fun experimenting. An eco-hike will involve an exploration of the natural world; looking for clues that animals live in the forests of Bridgestone.
SC Science Performance Indicators: K.L.2A.1, K.L.2A.5, K.L.2A.6
Program Theme: "Good-Natured" Detectives (PSR/LTR)
Lab Study: Critter Taxidermy
Field Study: Nature Observers
Eco-Hike: Scavenger Hunt
Students will go on a hike to observe the wonders of nature and the world around them. While on the hike, students will collect items to be used in their Field Study lesson where they will use scientific tools to observe, measure, and sort their collected items. In the Lab Study, students will discover how their items are used by critters and people in their daily lives.
SC Science Performance Indicators: K.P.4A.1, K.P.4A.2, K.P.4A.3, K.L.2A.1, K.L.2A.3, K.L.2A.5, K.L.2A.6
1st Grade
Program Theme: Green Things (PSR/LTR)
Lab Study: Our Leafy Friends
Field Study: Adopt-A-Tree
Eco-Hike: Adventures with Stickman
Students will dive head long into all that is green and blooming! Through observation, investigation, and experimentation, students will gain a better understanding of the structures, functions, and life cycles of plants. Students will "adopt" of their very own tree, using technology and measurement tools to make observations! They will go on an adventure with Stickman and make some great observations of the world around them!
SC Science Performance Indicator: 1.L.5A.1, 1.L.5A.2, 1.L.5B.1
Program Theme: Mother Nature’s Math (PSR/LTR)
Lab Study: Gee, I’m a Tree!
Field Study: EnviroMath
Eco-Hike: Follow the Math Trail
Through the use of natural objects, students will explore basic geometry, measurement, and number concepts while honing their skills in engineering, observing, and classifying! The students will participate in an immersive nature hike that will open their eyes to math in the real-world.
SC Science Performance Indicators: 1.MDA.1/1.MDA.2
2nd Grade
Program Theme: Cycling Through Life (PSR/LTR)
Lab Study: Critter Taxidermy
Field Study: Life Cycle Detectives
Eco-Hike: Bingo Scavenger Hunt
Through careful observation of taxidermy animals, students will infer how their body parts help them survive throughout their life. Students will discover how living things amazingly cycle through life beginning with a scavenger hunt, and then collaborate with a hands-on classifying and sequencing activity to determine the life cycle of an organism. An eco-hike will enhance understanding and appreciation for the uniqueness of each organism's life journey!
SC Science Performance Indicators: 2.L.5A.2 and 2.L.5A.3
Program Theme: Arthropod Adventure & Pollinator Parade (PSR/LTR)
Lab Study: Pill Bugs vs Butterflies
Field Study: Migration Game
Eco-Hike: Arthropod Hunt
Get up close and personal with insects and other arthropods! Students will participate in a pill bug investigation, play a pollinator game as they learn about monarch migration, and collect creepy crawlies on an eco-hike.
SC Science 2.L.5A.1-3, 2.L.5B.1
Program Theme: Feathered Friends (PSR/LTR)
Lab Study: Feathered Taxidermy
Field Study: Bird Beak Buffet (Game)
Eco-Hike: Evidence of Birds Hike
Students will enter the fantastic world of our feathered friends found right here in their own backyards! Through careful observations of taxidermy birds, students will infer behavior, diet and habitat based on their body structures. Next, students will use models to investigate how different bird beaks help them survive. This wildlife adventure will conclude with students going where the birds live; becoming animal detectives, hunting for birds and the clues they leave in the forest.
SC Science Performance Indicators: 2.L.5B.1 and 2.L.5B.2
3rd Grade
Program Theme: Eco-Venture (ORR)
Lab Study: Creek Life
Field Study: Into the Forest
Eco-Hike: Meadow Madness
Join us on an extended eco-hike adventure, participating in standards-based STEAM environmental activities including observations of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems along the way. The hike will cover about 1 mile . Along the way students will make careful observations of their environment; looking for critters hidden in plain sight, discovering the wonders of a different habitats. Participants should wear long pants and closed-toe walking shoes.
SC Science Performance Indicator: 3.L.5A.1, 3.L.5A.2, 3.L.5B.1, Math: 3.MDA.5, 3.MDA.6
Program Theme: Dirt Detectives (PSR/LTR)
Lab Study: CSI Soil
Field Study: Archaeology Dig
Eco-Hike: BINGO Scavenger Hunt
There is so much going on just below our feet! Investigations of soil types and properties will be used to help students solve a mystery of a missing bike. Students will participate in an Archaeology Adventure that takes them back in time. Finally, students will explore and make observations of the forest habitat at Bridgestone.
SC Science Performance Indicator: 3.E.4A, Social Studies: standard 3-2
4th Grade
Program Theme: Dazzling Diversity (ORR)
Lab Study: Critter Taxidermy
Field Study: Animal Detectives
Eco-Hike: Diversity Hike
Students will immerse themselves in the dazzling diversity of organisms that live in their own backyard! Close-up investigations of native taxidermy and live animals will allow for observation and inference of just how each critter is adapted to its individual habitat. Students will also become nature explorers searching for a wide diversity of animals and their clues in the forest. An eco-hike in the forest will provide dazzling examples of diversity.
SC Science Performance Indicator: 4.L.5B.2, 4.L.5B.3
Program Theme: Engineering Insects (PSR/LTR)
Lab Study: Ninja Skills Unlimited
Field Study: Build-A-Bug
Eco-Hike: Insect Hunt
Students will investigate the ninja skills of insects and discover how to compare them to their own abilities. They will learn about the anatomy of an insect and special adaptations of certain insects. Students will then go on a scavenger hunt to gather materials to engineer their own anatomically correct insect. During the eco-hike, students will have their own exploration time with nets, collections containers, and guide books!
SC Science Performance Indicator: 4.L.5B.1, 4.L.5B.3
Program Theme: Birds Alive! (ORR)
Lab Study: Critter Taxidermy
Field Study: Bird Beak Buffet (Game)
Eco-Hike: Evidence of Birds Hike
Have you ever thought about how animals survive out there? Students will make careful observations of taxidermy animals to explore ways that each animal can defend itself, move, obtain food, and camouflage from predators. After a simulated game of survival in a natural disaster, students will have a better appreciation of the challenges presented by an intricate and dynamic environment of our feathered friends! A walk on a nature trail, to look for native birds and the clues they leave behind, is a real adventure!
SC Science Performance Indicator: 4.L.5B.3, 4.L.5A.1, 4.L.5A.3, 4.L.5A.4
Program Theme: Water Dance (ORR; 2 groups per day)
Lab Study: Creek Life
Field Study: Water Cycle (Game)
Eco-Hike: Weather station stop
Students will investigate the water cycle and the role it plays on earth. Students will be immersed in the movement of water through simulation activities. Students will determine water quality through macro-invertebrate collection at a creek on site. Finally, students will take a hike and visit our weather station along the way!
SC Science Performance Indicator: 4.E.2A.2, 4.L5.A.1, 4.L5.A.3
5th Grade
Program Theme: Eco-Venture (ORR)
Lab Study: Creek Life
Field Study: Into the Forest
Eco-Hike: Meadow Madness
Join us on an extended eco-hike adventure, participating in standards-based STEAM environmental activities including observations of biotic and abiotic factors of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems that affect the balance of nature. The hike will cover about 1 mile and will take about 2 ½ hours. Participants should wear long pants and closed-toe walking shoes.
SC Science Performance Indicator: 5.L.4A.1, 5.L.4A.2, 5.L.4B.2, 5.L.4B.3, 5.L.4B.4
Program Theme: Water, Water Everywhere
Lab Study: We All Live Downstream
Field Study: Creek Life
Eco-Hike: Ecosystem Explorers
Students will investigate the wonderful world of water through macro-invertebrate collection of a local creek. In addition, watershed modeling and problem-solving will enhance student understanding of the land-water-human connection. Finally, students will compare aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems through observations made on an eco-hike.
SC Science Performance Indicators: 5.E.3A.1, 5.L.4A.1
6th Grade
Program Theme: Roots and Shoots (ORR)
Lab Study: Adopt-a-Tree
Field Study: Gee, I'm A Tree
Eco-Hike: Plant Diversity Hike
In this STEM program, students will adopt a tree. Through learning about plant characteristics, and a little detective work, students will try to identify their tree. Also, students will discover the geometry behind a forester's field technology tools. Finally, students will hike to observe examples of tropisms and classify species within the plant kingdom.
SC Science Performance Indicators: 6.L.5B.3; SC Math Standards: 6.EEI.6, 6.NS.5
7th Grade
Program Theme: Dirty Business (PSR/LTR)
Lab Study: CSI: Soil
Field Study: Archaeology Dig
Field Study: Some Assembly Required
Time to get our hands dirty! Students will help solve a “crime” in CSI: Soil while learning different ways of testing soils. An eco-hike will show real-world connections between the land and animals and plants that live there. A third activity will take the students back in time as they experience a simulated archaeology dig. Through these hands-on, minds-on activities, a better understanding will be gained of the importance of healthy soil to plants, animals, and all living things in our ecosystem.
SC Science Performance Indicator: 7.EC.5A.1, 7.EC.5A.2, 7.EC.5A.3, 7.S.1A.2, 7.S.1A.4, 7.S.1A.7, 7.S.1A.5
9th-12th Grade
Program Theme: Wet World (2 Groups Per Day) (ORR)
Lab Study: We All Live Downstream (Advanced)
Field Study: Creek Life (Advanced)
On our blue planet, humans play a vital role in the protection and preservation of our watery resources. Students will learn more about these effects through experimenting with human behaviors that influence the location, quality, and quantity of water within a watershed. Biological analysis will reveal the quality of a local pond.
SC Science Performance Indicators: H.B.6.A1
