With over a decade of experience in empowering students to learn about and steward their local watersheds, the goal of SSI’s Education Program is to provide robust educational experiences to the students of Nevada County. This month we highlight one of our field experiences called Environmental Science Investigations.
The Environmental Science Investigations program empowers 3rd-5th grade students to push beyond their observations of the natural world by giving them an opportunity to directly experience our local habitats, ask questions, and carry out investigations.
The program has students participate in science investigations to foster their curiosity, while guiding them towards a better understanding of the organisms and habitats that make up our local environment.
After several immersive and inquiry-based activities, students are tasked with asking their own questions about their local environment, something we call testable questions.
Some examples of testable questions that students have come up with are:
- How many scales are there on an average gray pine cone?
- How many flowers are there on a single manzanita branch?
- What temperature is the soil at the base of a pine tree? Or in the middle of a meadow?
- What is the average height of the wildflowers?
- What is the texture of the soil?
Armed with their testable question, students then are ready to investigate. By using tools, students collect data and make observations to come to an answer (or understanding) about their testable questions. They then communicate their findings with their classmates.
These investigations are all about immersion in the environment, using the students’ curiosity to drive their learning and make their own scientific discoveries in the place they live. We believe this approach not only promotes student agency in their ability to learn science but also puts them in a position to empathize with the living things that inhabit that space.
Here are some student quotes based on their experience running their personal investigations:
“I love gathering data and presenting it!” – 5th grader NCSA
“It was very fun to use the tools to collect data. Thank you for helping us to discover more about the forest we may not have known. “ – 5th Grade NCSA
Ecosystems are made up of a diversity of plants and animals, all interacting with each other, which in turn creates endless opportunities for student-driven investigations. Through this process, they engage with scientific principles such as life cycles, evolution, energy, food webs, and much more! Students also learn about how we interact with and manage our landscapes and how to better steward the natural places that we all call home.
Using science as both a tool and lens, students can approach any number of habitats with an ability to discern and wonder and, all the while, fulfill their innate curiosity.
We are currently offering Environmental Science Investigations as a fee-for-service experience for 3rd through 5th grade students. To learn more or book a field day, please reach out to us!
Contact our Education Team at education@sierrastreamsinstitute.org