Arts-In-Education Exploratory Enrichment

Ecosystems-Choose from 3 Themes

Presented by The Place for Learning

Rainforest Ecosystems: Take a journey through a tropical rainforest to discover this unique ecosystem and its effect on the world. Students will learn about forest layers, animals, plants, and products using a variety of unusual and rare hands-on materials. A slide show of photos of the Amazon and Australian rainforests emphasize the importance of this resource. River Ecosystems: Using water samples from a local river source, students assess water quality and discuss the negative effect of various environmental factors on the river. Students learn about the plants and animals that make up a river environment and their interdependence. Students design food chains and food webs for greater clarity and understanding of this delicate ecosystem. Forest Ecosystems: Students view slides, observe plant specimens, and conduct a pH test on soil. They discover the healthy role of fire in maintaining the local endangered forest ecosystem of the Pine Barrens, as well as the role that the Pine Barrens plays in maintaining our aquifer. This program features natural and social science topics with a specific emphasis on Long Island, its people, and its landscape. NGSS Learning Standards: P-LS1-1, P-LS1-2; K-LS1-1, K-ESS3-1, 2-LS2-2, 2-LS4-1; 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-4, 3-LS4-2, 3-ESS2-2; 4-LS1-1, 4-LS1-2; 5-LS1-1, 5-ESS3-1; MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5, MS-ESS3-4 Center Visit:(1 1/2 hr) $13 per student Max: 50 students