Welcome to Inside the Outdoors at Crystal Cove!
NGSS Standards Supported:
5-LS2-1., 5-ESS2-1., 5-ESS3-1.
Led by an Inside the Outdoors Field or Program Naturalist, students will explore the coastal bluffs, examine the sandy beach, and investigate the tide pools. They will also acquire a greater understanding and appreciation of our coastal environment.
Tidepools
Students learn about the environmental factors that affect tidepool organisms. Using clue cards and pictures to find living things in the tidepools, they discover the adaptations of various organisms in the intertidal ecosystem.
Classification
Students learn about the invertebrates found in tidepools. They classify shells and preserved specimens using common characteristics and learn the life history of some of the animals in the tide pools.
Bluff Ecosystem
Working in teams, students discover the functions of several organisms in this ecosystem and classify them according to their notes. Students also learn how these animals and plants interact and depend on each other for survival.
Beachcomber
Students classify several objects they find on the beach as natural or unnatural and discuss the origin of the materials and their function, if any, on the beach.
Creature Feature
Students use their creative talent to build a creature in the sand that has the characteristics of one of the invertebrate groups found in the tidepools.
View the Resources pages for pre/post information.
Site Details
Location: Crystal Cove State Park - Click
here for a map to the site. The address is on the map.
Time: Full Day 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Parking: Vehicle parking is very limited
Accessibility: Partially wheelchair accessible with advanced notice
Visit Crystal Cove State Parks
website.
