Ecosystem Extravaganza - Sensory Exploration - TK/PreK
Let's explore using our senses! In this two-hour field program, Transitional Kindergarten students engage their senses to explore the colors, shapes, sounds, and textures of nature. This fun filled adventure allows students to notice the details, compare their observations, share their findings, learn more about nature and how everything is connected.
Activity Stations include:
- Shape and Seek Hike - Students will look at nature through a "shape viewer" to see how many different shapes they can find.
- Same or Different Animal Investigation - Students will use their sense of site and touch to describe a beetle and/or rat.
- Mystery Sound Hike - Using their sense of hearing, students will listen to the live natural sounds around them as well as from sound buttons. Students will then work together to match images of animals in their habitats to the sound.
- Texture Match-Up Investigation - Utilizing their sense of touch and smell, students will make observations and practice using descriptive words of mystery items in smell and touch buckets.
- Gifts of Nature Hike - Students will investigate the gifts trees provide to both people and animals that help us all be healthy, safe and happy.
- Nature, Emotions, and Art Investigation - In reflecting on how nature makes them feel, students will create a picture that represents something they enjoy about nature or how nature impacts their emotions, such as feelings of happiness or calmness.
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Ecosystem Extravaganza - Adaptation and Change - Kindergarten
NGSS PE Supported: K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-2, K-ESS3-1
In this two-hour program, Kindergarten students explore how plants, animals, and humans interact with and change their surroundings. They meet live animals such as a darkling beetle, a snake, and a tortoise to investigate their survival needs and adaptations. Students compare forest and desert ecosystems, discuss human impact, and make observations about how different species change their environments to meet their needs.
Activity Stations include:
- Suitcase Investigation - Students explore how people plan to wear different clothing in different environments to better prepare for and adapt to these environments to ensure comfort and safety. (i.e. Desert and Forest Ecosystems)
- Beetle Investigation - Students meet a darkling beetle and explore how these insects interact with and change their environment. They observe the beetles physical structures and discuss its role as a decomposer.
- Ecosystem Boxes Investigation - In observing plants, animals, and trash in desert and forest ecosystem touch boxes, students will reflect on the different elements and brainstorm ways to prevent trash from harming nature.
- Snake Investigation - Could a snake like "Gus" live in the forest, desert, both, or neither? Students compare and contrast a live snake with others from different habitats then use their observations to determine where the live snake would live.
- Evidence Hike - Along a hiking trail students will observe real-life examples of how plants and animals change their environment. Students will then reflect on how these changes meet the needs of the organism to survive.
- Tortoise Investigation - Students learn how trash impacts a tortoise and learn about ways to prevent trash pollution. ***********************************************************************************************
Ecosystem Extravaganza - Butterfly Bonanza (seasonal only) - Kindergarten
NGSS PE Supported: K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3
In this two-hour program, Kindergarten students explore how places can be adapted to better support the needs of insect species like butterflies. Students will learn about the basic structure of a butterfly and then brainstorm what a butterfly needs to survive. Students will explore their surroundings to determine which areas would better meet a butterfly's needs. With this foundation, students will then think together about how to design another area to meet the needs of both human and butterfly visitors.
Activity Stations include:
- Butterfly ID Hike - Students will discuss their prior knowledge about butterflies and brainstorm what a butterfly needs in a habitat in order to survive.
- Habitat Observation #1 - Students will use a data collection a card to gather information about the habitat to determine if this habitat meets the needs of butterflies.
- Habitat Observation #2 - Students will continue their data collection through exploration.
- Data Share - Students are encouraged to share their findings.
- Playground Redesign - Students use their gained knowledge to help create a butterfly friendly playground.
- Hike - Review data collected from habitat observation #1 and continue their butterfly count as they walk to habitat observation ***********************************************************************************************
Ecosystem Extravaganza - Parents and Babies - First Grade
NGSS PE Supported: 1-LS1-2 and 1-LS3-1
During this two-hour program, first-grade students explore the relationship between parents and their young through hands-on investigations. They make claims about how young animals are similar, but not identical, to their parents, and observe the behaviors that help young animals survive. Students will also reflect on the importance of natural habitats in protecting wildlife.
Activity Stations include:
- Baby Sounds Investigation - Students explore how baby animals communicate their needs to their parents by identifying patterns in baby animals sounds.
- Snake Investigation - Students meet a live snake and observe its characteristics and behaviors to predict how it survived without direct care from its parents.
- City and Nature Nests Investigation - In exploring the role of bird nests students will compare photos of nests built in natural reserves to those built in urban areas.
- Tracks Investigation - While looking at adult and baby animal tracks, students are able to gain a deeper understanding of animal development ,adaptation and survival strategies.
- Parent Behaviors Investigation - Students work together to identify patterns in how various parent animals care for their offspring, enhancing their understanding of the critical role parents play in the survival of baby animals.
- Rat Investigation - Students meet a live rat and compare their characteristics to their parents. ***********************************************************************************************
Ecosystem Extravaganza - Plants - Second Grade
NGSS PE Supported: 2-LS2-2., 2-LS4-1
During this two-hour program, second grade students will rotate through six activity stations to study the functions of plants related to seed dispersal and pollination. Through the hands-on investigations, students will explore different habitats looking for plant diversity by collecting data and using field guides. This data will help students discover how seeds are dispersed, how plants communicate with pollinators, and the role of animals like rats and beetles in supporting plant life. Exploration will assist students connections between plants, animals, and ecosystems and help them understand how people depend on and influence natural systems.
Activity Stations include:
- Habitat Investigation (Part 1) - Students act as botanists to explore two distinct habitats, discovering how environmental factors influence plant adaptations and biodiversity.
- Habitat Investigation (Part 2) - Reference Habitat Investigation Part 1.
- Rat Investigation - Students meet a live rat to aide in the exploration of the interdependent relationship between mammals and plants.
- Seed Investigation - In examining seed structures, students will help categorize their methods of dispersal: wind, water, rolling, and/or animals.
- Beetle Investigation - Students explore the relationship between plants and insects within an ecosystem by observing a live darkling beetle.
- Flower Investigation - Students investigate how flowers communicate with pollinators through color, scent, and UV patterns and consider ways to support pollinator populations in their own communities.
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Gabrieliño Walk - Third Grade
HSS Supported: 3.2
During this two-hour field trip, third-grade students explore the daily lives and cultural practices of the Acjachemen and Tongva tribes. Through hands-on activities students will gain an understanding of how natural resources of the Orange County area have shaped the traditions and culture of these Native Americans then and now. Students compare their own lives to those of the Tongva and Acjachemen while learning about sustainability, reciprocity, and the lasting presence of these tribal communities in Southern California.
Activity Stations include:
- Trading and Pump Drill Investigation - Students explore the traditional practice of trading, "money" making with pump drills and the use of shell bead money.
- Storytelling Investigation - Students explore how tribes used stories told by their elders to teach important lessons.
- Plant Hike - Through a plant hike students learn about native plants and their different uses as well as how that compares to our uses today.
- Music Investigation - In practicing using traditional percussion instruments students learn about the use of music in ceremonies and celebrations.
- String Investigation - Students learn about the importance of string in the daily lives of the Acjachemen and Tongva tribes and work together to twist raffia into string.
- Hunting Investigation - Students investigate hunting practices, and get to try out spear throwing, focusing on how tribes used animals to survive and the principles of reciprocity in their relationship with nature. **********************************************************************************************
Native American Program - Fourth Grade
HSS Supported 4.2.1
How did California's diverse geography shape Native American cultures? In this two-hour field trip, fourth-grade students explore the daily lives and cultural practices of Native American tribes in California to see how they depended on, adapted to, and modified their environment. Students engage in hands-on activities to examine the unique adaptations of these tribes across California's different ecosystems.
Activity Stations include:
- Basket Weaving Investigation - Students explore how different tribes have traditionally gathered food and other materials by comparing and contrasting tools. They also will practice basket weaving.
- Traditional Games Investigation - By learning about and trying out different games, students will gain an understanding of how these activities were integral to teaching important life skills and fostering community.
- Fire Making Investigation - Students learn about the importance of fire for Native American tribes in California and work together to try a traditional method of making a fire by using a bow drill. ***Students will go through the actions of creating a fire but not actually create a flame.
- Native American Homes Investigation - By examining the materials and structures of traditional homes, students will explore how the diverse geography and climate of California have influenced the way these tribes built their homes.
- Cooking Investigation - Students will compare a Native American kitchen set up to the modern kitchen, practice grinding acorns, and learn about traditional foods.
- Hunting Investigation - Students visit a practice hunting area to learn about fishing and hunting, examine traditional hunting instruments, and practice their aim by throwing darts. Students will also learn how tribes depended on and adapted to their environment. ***********************************************************************************************
View the Resources pages for pre/post information.
Site Details
Location: Mt. San Antonio College, Wildlife Sanctuary - Click
here for a map to the site. The address is on the map.
Times: 9:00 - 11:00 am or 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Lunch: Lunch area is available at Snow Creek Park.
Parking: Very limited vehicle parking is available (metered campus parking)
Accessibility: Limited wheelchair accessibility
