STEP SBA Georgia
Kindergarten
Program Theme: “Good-Natured” Detectives
Lab Study: Critter Taxidermy
Field Study: Nature Observers
Eco-Hike: Scavenger Hunt
Students will 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, using 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.
GA Science Standards of Excellence: SCE2.C, SCP1.A, SCP1.B, SCP1.C, SCL1.A, SCL1.B, SCL2.A, SCL2.C
First Grade
Program Theme: Green Things
Lab Study: Our Leafy Friends
Field Study: Adopt-a Tree
Eco-Hike: Adventures with Stickman
Students will dive headfirst 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! Students will classify plant parts and crawl through a soil tunnel to see what may be growing/living underground. They will go on an adventure with Stickman and make some great observations of the world around them!
GA Science Standards of Excellence: S1L1a, S1L1b, Math: MGSE1.MD.1, MGSE1.MD.2, MGSE1.G.1
Second Grade
Program Theme: Life Cycling
Lab Study: Plant Power!
Field Study: Life Cycle Detectives
Eco-Hike: Bingo Scavenger Hunt
Students will learn the amazing engineering behind seed dispersal and pollination! They will plant their own seeds to take back to school as an ongoing science experiment. Students will discover how living things miraculously 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 a mystery organism. A life cycle hike will enhance understanding and appreciation for the uniqueness of each organism’s life journey!
GA Science Standards of Excellence: S2L1a, S2L1b, S2L1c
Third Grade
Program Theme: Learning about Life and Land
Lab Study: Critter College
Field Study: Soil Investigation
Eco-Hike: Nature Hunt
In Critter College, students will travel through 6 stations and learn about local wildlife, their needs, and the ways they are adapted for their environment. Getting’ Down and Dirty will allow students to investigate different types of soils, their parent materials, and how we use them in our daily lives. On an eco-hike, students will use some scientific tools to observe the world around them!
Performance Standards: S3L.1, S3E.1
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations, Construct Explanations and Designing Solutions, Developing and Using Models
Fourth Grade
Program Theme: Water World (2 classes per day)
Lab Study: Pondering Life
Field Study: Water Cycle (Game)
Eco-Hike: Weather Station
Students will investigate the water cycle and its role on earth. They will be immersed in the movement of water through simulation activities. They will determine water quality through macro-invertebrate collection at a pond on site. Finally, they will take a short hike and visit our weather station.
GA Standards of Excellence: S4E3a, S4E3b, S4La, S4L1b
Fifth Grade
Program Theme: Dazzling Diversity
Lab Study: Critter Taxidermy
Field Study: Animal Detectives
Eco-Hike: BINGO Scavenger Hunt
Students will immerse themselves in the 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 habitat. Students will become detectives, using good observations and inferencing to figure out the species of animal they are tracking. An eco-hike in the forest will provide dazzling examples of diversity.
GA Standards of Excellence: S5L1a
Sixth Grade
Program Theme: Water, Water Everywhere (2 classes per day)
Lab Study: We All Live Downstream
Field Study: Pondering Life
Students will investigate the wonderful world of water through the macro-invertebrate collection of a local pond. In addition, watershed modeling and problem-solving will enhance students' understanding of the land-water-human connection.
GA Standards of Excellence: S6E3a, S6E3b, S6E6b
Seventh-Eighth Grade
Program Theme: It’s a Tough World!
Lab Study: Critter Taxidermy
Field Study: Territorial Dispute (Game)
Eco-Hike: Forest Assessment Hike
Through a game of survival, students will begin to answer real-life questions about how different species are able to adapt to a natural disaster. In interaction with taxidermy animals, using a dichotomous key, students will investigate characteristics that allow for the survival of the individual and the stability of the species. Finally, students will collect data as they hike to determine aspects of 2 different forests and how the differences can mean life or death for a species.
GA Standards of Excellence: S7L1a, S7L4c, S7L4d
Ninth-Twelfth Grade
Program Theme: Wet World (2 classes per day)
Lab Study: We All Live Downstream (Advanced)
Field Study: Pondering Life (Advanced)
On our blue planet, humans play a vital role in protecting and preserving our watery resources. Students will learn more about these effects by experimenting with human behaviors that influence water's location, quality, and quantity within a watershed. Biological analysis will reveal the quality of a local pond.
GA Standards of Excellence: SEV1a, SEV1c, SEV1d, SEV1e