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Programs at Patterson Park Audubon Center
School Programs, K-8
2007-2008

The Patterson Park Audubon Center supports the Baltimore Public School’s curriculum with programs in the Park, in local classrooms and on local school grounds. We provide 175 school programs each year, working towards our mission of seeing students from the schools near the park a few times a year. We meet with students two to four times a year, and in some schools we meet with every child in the school. We are providing educational science and environmental programs to these students and opening their eyes to the nature in the park right near their school. Our partner elementary schools include Hampstead Hill Academy, the Patterson Park Charter School, Wolfe Street Academy, Commodore John Rodgers, and Father Kolbe Elementary. Our high school program is an intensive 4-session program of fishing, birding, ecology, and mentoring and our partner high schools this year are WEB DuBois, Doris M. Johnson and Digital Harbor.

KINDERGARTEN
The Giving Tree (SPRING)
Program Length: 90 min
VSC Science Standard addressed: Life Science- Genetics 1A, Environmental Science- Environmental Issues 1A and B
Humans rely on trees for so many things! Students will play ‘Tree Memory’ and find out how humans use different parts of a tree for a variety of reasons. Learning about the life cycle of trees will show students the changes a tree goes through as it grows up. Students will find out how paper is made from trees and get a chance to make their own piece of paper out of recycled scraps to take home. (This lesson must be held in the classroom).

A Tree for a Home (SPRING OR FALL)
Program Length: 90 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Diversity of Life 1A, B, C and D, Flow of Matter and Energy 1A, B, C and D, Ecology 1C
Can animals that move on the ground or fly in the air use trees to help them live? Students find the answer to this question as they hike through the park looking for evidence of animals using trees. The class will find examples of how a variety of animals use trees for food and shelter. The students will learn about adaptations that squirrels have that make them perfect inhabitants of the trees. A student will be magically turned into a squirrel to help the class see how lucky squirrels are to be made just the way they are.

Terrific Trees (FALL)
Program Length: 90 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Diversity of Life 1A and B, Genetics 1A, Flow of Matter & Energy 1C and D
Patterson Park is a perfect home for trees! Students will discover how the park’s environment provides just what these plants need. Students will act like a tree to understand their life cycle and find out that the park provides everything that a tree needs in order to grow. Patterns will be found between the different varieties of trees, a scavenger hunt will help identify the parts of a tree and a leaf sorting activity will allow children to determine similarities and differences between the trees.

FIRST GRADE
What’s the Matter in the Park? (SPRING)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Skills and Processes- Constructing knowledge 1A, B, D and E, Applying Evidence and Reasoning 1A, B and C, Earth/Space Science- Interactions of Hydrosphere and Atmosphere 1A
Alert! Alert! Matter of all forms found in the Park! Students are needed to help correctly classify many objects found in the Park. Students will uncover the properties of matter in solid and liquid form. Students will begin with a sorting activity to determine the properties of liquids and solids. Students will create and observe mixtures of solids and liquids.

Home for Sale (SPRING OR FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Diversity of Life 1A, B and C, Cells 2A, Flow of Energy and Matter 1A
Can animals survive in Patterson Park? If so, how? Students are introduced to the connection between animals and their habitats. Through different activities, students will find out animals’ four basic needs that are provided by their habitat. By looking at live animals, models, and photos of animals, students will match the appropriate habitat and food for each animal. Together, we’ll discover what animals can survive in the habitats of Patterson Park.

A Wet and Wonderful World in the Water (FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Diversity of Life 1A, B, and C, Genetics 1A and B, Flow of Matter and Energy 1A, Environmental Science- 1A, B and C
Water is a great environment for an organism if it has the right features (or adaptations) to allow it to survive there. Creating pond and ocean food chains will show students consumer/producer relationships in two different types of water ecosystems. Students will observe similarities and differences in salt and freshwater habitats and investigate how humans are connected to both the water food chains and to the quality of the water in each habitat.

SECOND GRADE
Growing Up (SPRING)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Genetics 1A, B and C
Everything living has a life cycle! Students will learn about life cycles by observing live tadpoles and frog. Students will piece together the life of a dragonfly and create a butterfly life cycle craft. Students will learn and be able to compare the different life cycles that plants, animals and humans go through by playing winter survival games. Bugs, fish, birds, humans and plants- with such a wide variety of life to explore, this lesson is packed with fun!

A Great Water Journey (SPRING OR FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Earth/Space Science- Interactions of Hydrosphere and Atmosphere 1A and B
Life Science- Ecology 1B and C, Environmental Science- Natural Resources and Human Needs- 1B and E, Environmental Issues 1A and B
What could survive without water? Water is a natural, but limited resource that is essential for life on Earth. Students will pretend to be water droplets moving through the water cycle, falling in the park and exploring the city drainage system. Through experiments, students will discover that clear water isn’t always clean. The class will uncover ‘who polluted the Inner Harbor’ and learn how pollution from the land enters water systems like the Boat Lake and Harbor through storm drains.

Let the Winter Games Begin! (FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Ecology 1A and B
Can you run as fast as a bird flies? What is your wingspan if you were a bird? How fast can you flap your “wings”? Can you eat like a bird? Students will participate in the Migration Olympics to find out what it takes to make it through the Great Migration Challenge, an activity that puts students up to the many challenges that face birds in their long journeys. Let the Games Begin!

THIRD GRADE
Incredible Insects (SPRING)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Cells 1A-D
Discover the minute world of insects. Students will search for bugs in their habitats as they learn about their behaviors and food sources. The short and interesting life cycle of many bugs will be explored through activities and students will find out why camouflage really is SO COOL in the bug world.

Do You Hear That? (SPRING OR FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Physics- Wave Interactions 2A and B
Birds aren’t just squawking- they are really talking! This program will help students understand how birds communicate with one another, how sound is produced and how it travels. Students will simulate the role of sound in flock gathering by learning bird songs. The mystery of how sound is made and how it travels will be solved using a variety of tools.

Let’s Get Moving! (FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Skills and Processes- Technology 2A and B
The human body is a well-oiled machine! Through group games that get the students twisting and turning at their joints, students will see how joints and muscles working together make a job easier. In a human, body parts are influenced by other body parts and help humans get tasks accomplished with ease. Animal movements will be observed to help to understand that movements become more difficult when parts are missing.

FOURTH GRADE
ZAP! (SPRING)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Chemistry- Structure of Matter 1A and B, Physics- Electricity and Magnetism 2A, B, C, D and E, 3A, B, C, D, E, F and G
What does it take to light up a pickle? Students will be able to solve the mystery after a pickle is used to create a closed loop circuit. Earth’s magnetic field will be explored by making a water compass and navigating their way through the Park. The science behind birds’ migration is discovered as students learn how animals also rely on the Earth’s magnetic field.

Skull Detectives (SPRING OR FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science-Diversity of Life 1A, B, C and D, Evolution 1A, B, C and D
Become Skull Detectives. Students will examine many different skulls determining the similarities and differences. While trying to uncover what type of animals the skulls came from, students will be able to compare and contrast the skulls to understand the relationship of a variety of animal types. Observing features on the skull will allow students to hypothesize on the animals’ lifestyles as well as what it liked to eat.

It’s Time to Dig! (SPRING OR FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Chemistry- Structure of Matter 1A, B, C and D
Students will take a geology tour of the neighborhood, observing the many ways rocks are used. Students will learn where rocks were quarried and determine the distinguishing properties of rocks used in local construction. Students will also perform a cookie mining activity to learn about reclamation.

How to be a Good P.I. (Plant Investigator) (FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Diversity of Life 1A-D, Evolution 1A-C, Ecology 1 A and B, Environmental Science- Environmental Issues 1A
As students travel through the Park as Plant Investigators, they will collect a variety of plants from different habitats. They will observe, classify and dissect upland and wetland plants. They will compare and contrast the characteristics of these plants and decide how these characteristics help them survive in their environments.

FIFTH GRADE
Let Me Tell Ya ‘Bout the Birds and the Bees (SPRING)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Diversity of Life 1A, B and D, Flow of Matter and Energy- 1A
Environmental Science- Environmental Issues- 1A, 2A and B
Students will compete to be the most successful beehive at pollinating the Park’s flowers. They’ll play a modified game of go-fish to explore other pollinators. Through flower dissection, students will learn where it all happens in a flower. The class will then go on a pollinator safari to find the diversity of flowers and their pollinators in their habitats in Patterson Park.

Helicopters, Hitchhikers, Drifters & Floaters (SPRING OR FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Diversity of Life 1A and B, Flow of Matter and Energy- 1A and C
How do seeds move to grow a new plant? Students will build models of seeds to demonstrate the diversity of seeds and seed dispersal methods for survival. Next, they explore the variety of seeds in Patterson Park while going on a seed safari. Using their collection of seeds, they will hypothesize how each seed is dispersed and test their hypothesis through simple experiments.

Hey Earth! Don’t Go Anywhere! (FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Earth/Space Science- Natural Resources and Human Needs 1B
Why does it matter if Earth’s surfaces erode? Using models, students will test the best method for controlling erosion. After exploring the Park and finding evidence of erosion caused by humans, students will create urban models to control erosion.

SIXTH GRADE
Fly Away or Stay (SPRING)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards Addressed: Life Science- Evolution 1A, B, C and E, Environmental Science- Natural Resources and Human Needs 1A-E, Environmental Issues 1A-C
Comparing and contrasting adaptations of different birds will help students understand what makes survival possible in different habitats. Using binoculars and field guides, students will search for the variety of visiting birds of Patterson Park.

Slimy and Scaly Critters (SPRING)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards Addressed: Life Science- Evolution 1A, B, C and E, Environmental Science- Natural Resources and Human Needs 1A-E, Environmental Issues 1A-C
What are some of the special adaptations of amphibians and reptiles? As students learn characteristics and behaviors of animals, they will be able to decide if they are amphibians or reptiles. Life cycles will be examined and modes of transportation will be mimicked to figure out how it feels to roam the park in someone else’s slimy or scaly skin.

Mollusk Mayhem (FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards Addressed: Life Science- Evolution 1A, B, C and E, Environmental Science- Natural Resources and Human Needs 1A-E, Environmental Issues 1A-C
What has gills, a foot and two shells? What has many tentacles, a beak and a pen? Students will learn about the fascinating diversity of mollusks, their life cycles, habitats and important roles on Earth. Observing and dissecting organisms will help students understand a variety of traits unique to mollusks.

The Park’s Producers (AKA Plants) (FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards Addressed: Life Science- Evolution 1A-E, Ecology 1A-D, Environmental Science- Natural Resources and Human Needs 1A-E, Environmental Issues 1A-C
All plants are not created equal! Students will be introduced to Dichotomous keys and use them to learn about the great variety of plants found within Patterson Park. Sharing many of the same characteristics, plants are often improperly grouped. Students will learn how the diversity of plants allows for their survival in different ecosystems.

EIGHTH GRADE
Catch Them If You Can! (SPRING)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards Addressed: Life Science- Evolution 1A-E, Environmental Science- Environmental Issues 1A and B
Students will delve into the Boat Lake to uncover the diversity of species found there. The use of seine nets, dip nets and waders will help the students scout out the critters of the Park’s water world. Learning about the adaptations of the animals found, students will understand why these organisms are able to survive in this freshwater environment. Students will seek out answers to what causes extinction and recognize that evolution also plays a role in the populations of our Boat Lake.

It’s a Zoo Right Here in Patterson Park! (SPRING)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards Addressed: Life Science- Evolution 1A-E, Environmental Science- Environmental Issues 1A and B
Animals abound! Students will survey the organisms that are found on the land and in the air in Patterson Park. While looking at the populations that are currently found in the Park, students will determine what adaptations allow the species to thrive in these ecosystems. Human impact on these ecosystems will be revealed and connected to the change in the diversity of species.

Don’t Dump Here! Storm Drain Stenciling (FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards Addressed: Environmental Science- Environmental Issues 1A and B
The class will share with the community what they have learned about how pollution on the streets of Baltimore doesn’t stop on the streets. Using paint and stencils, the class will paint reminders to the public that litter on the streets actually goes directly into the Chesapeake Bay. The stenciled messages will be painted on storm drains surrounding the school and the Park.

Where Does All the Water Go? (FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards Addressed: Earth/Space Science- Interactions of Hydrosphere and Atmosphere 1B and C, 2A, Environmental Science- Environmental Issues 1A and B
Did you know people once took boats from the harbor to Patterson Park? Follow the now underground creek from the Park to the Harbor and observe human impact on the City’s water. Students will learn how water travels in different stages through the water cycle and uncover the different places where water is in the Park. By noting the geographic location of Baltimore, students will discover what features and changes affect how water travels through the city.

Other Information

Support Documents:
Available at the Audubon office is a document with all the covered VSCs (Voluntary State Curriculum) for each program, written out in their entirety. Pre- and Post- tests for all programs are also available upon request. *** A change from last year. We will not be giving these out at program times. ***

VSCs 2007-2008 (309kb Ms Word)

Chaperones:
We require one adult from the school for every 13 students. Chaperones help with discipline and assist the educator as needed (passing out supplies, taking a child to the bathroom, etc.). Teachers and chaperones are expected to be fully involved with the program.

Program Length/Location:
All programs meet in the Park at the north side of the Boat Lake at the picnic tables, unless otherwise noted.

Dress:
All programs will take place in the Park unless otherwise noted. Students, teachers and chaperones should dress for the weather. In inclement weather, lessons will be adapted to have more time under the shelter of one of the Park’s pavilions, but will still be conducted outside. Students should wear jackets, hats and gloves when appropriate. We strongly recommend closed shoes for walking comfort around the park.

Bathroom:
We strongly encourage classes to use their school facilities prior to the trip.

Cancellation Policy:
If for any reason a trip needs to be cancelled, we will reschedule to the best of our ability, but cannot guarantee a new date. In case of questionable weather, the Center will determine if the program should be cancelled. We honor your school’s snow cancellation policy.

We’re looking forward to another great year!

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