Plant drawings are from the publication PLANTS: An Annotated Field Guide,
created by the talented ethnobotanist
Gre' Obrecht
Plant drawings are from the publication PLANTS: An Annotated Field Guide,
created by the talented ethnobotanist
Gre' Obrecht
Listed below are brief snapshots of programming we currently have available. Some sessions can be done in your classroom and some are designed to be done only at Ligon Outdoor Center. Many sessions also have resource kits that can be checked-out by teachers for their own classroom use.
All of the programs at Ligon Outdoor Center have been aligned with the new grade level content expectations. Correlation and supportive curriculum available upon request.
With any of our programs, a pre- and/or post-session can also be planned for your classroom. These extra sessions increase the amount of processing (learning) for many of the students and help blend this special activity into your daily curriculum.
In addition to the prescribed programs, Ligon Outdoor Center and GAMSC can also accommodate special requests. We have not planned very many programs for students pre-K through grade 3, but any of our sessions can be altered to fit most any age group. We have already had many groups/classrooms of primary students come out to Ligon and have successful learning experiences. We will try to shape the session to fit the participant. If an educator or community member has a specific session in mind that is not among those that we offer, perhaps by planning together we can create a program to meet your needs whether it be a field trip out to Ligon or an onsite experience in your own classroom.
Sessions offer background information (grade level appropriate) regarding rocks – igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, minerals, stratification, and identifying and classifying fossils with a “hands-on” opportunity to process their learning by digging up and identifying fossilized remains at an actual dig site at Ligon Outdoor Center. Classroom instruction takes place at the Stone House.
Earth Science
Grades 3-10
Approx. 2 1/2 hours
*Boxes of rocks and minerals can be checked out by the classroom teacher if a complete program is not needed.
Sessions offer students background learning on gravity, thrust, and how/why things can fly with a “hands-on” opportunity to process new learning by launching two-liter rockets, catapaulting water balloons, and/or constructing and flying their own aircraft (depending on materials available). Activities designed for use at Ligon Outdoor Center – NOT easily done in the classroom. Instruction takes place at the Conference Center.
Physical Science
Grades 2-10
Approx. 3 hours
Provides background information regarding biomes, ecosystems, food webs, and food chains. Students can participate in nature identification hikes, measure trees, do core sampling at Ligon Outdoor Center, and culminate with researching results of predator/prey relationships (owl pellets – can be done at Ligon or in the classroom).
Life Science
Grades 3-10
Approx. 3 hours
Sessions provide background information on using a field compass and a Global Positioning System with an opportunity to use their new learning to problem solve during an ecological scavenger hunt on the hiking trails of Ligon Outdoor Center.
Science Methodology
Grades 6-12
Approx. 3 hours
Sessions offered to K-12 students requiring them to make observations, document with pictures what they observed, and use their information (and other provided information) to create a Nature Identification Key for the trails at Ligon Outdoor Center. Focus can be limited (just animals or just trees...) to suit the classroom needs. Sessions culminate with the Animal Tracks Challenge activity which includes tracks of 20 different animals found at Ligon Outdoor Center and information enough to help them match animals to the tracks, or a Leaf/Tree Identification Challenge using a dichotomous key for both deciduous and coniferous trees (may also include bark rubbings) to identify several different species of trees while hiking on the trails at Ligon. Older students may also use digital cameras to "capture" pictures of the leaves or tracks to then bring back to the group for identification. Many of our younger students enjoy doing Entomology--a "bug hunt" in our meadow with hand lenses--as they find and observe various insects. For the younger students (K-5), we have stencils to make "rubbings" pictures of bugs, leafs, and animal tracks to also help in identifying nature.
Life Science
Grades K-12
Length of program is flexible
Participants review the differences between rock types (igneous, metamorphic ...) and rock formation. Students are able to manipulate and observe many various rocks and minerals. They review Michigan and U.S. history surrounding the discovery of gold, silver, copper, diamonds, and culminate with the Rocks and Minerals Challenge activity. This includes using a text source for information to identify and provide data for several various rocks and minerals. (There is a research and writing piece if time allows.)
Social Studies & Earth Science
Grades 4-10
Approx. 2 hours
Information regarding watershed management and negative human environmental impact will be shared. Participants will learn and perform proper procedures for several different tests of water quality (turbidity, acid/base, dissolved oxygen content, temperature stratification, …) that they will sample from a variety of locations at Ligon Outdoor Center . They will also inspect microscopic samples with digital microscopes. Although designed for Ligon, parts of this activity can be done in classroom depending on availability of differing samples of water. A previous working knowledge of microscopes is advised if microscopy is a desired activity.
Life Science
Grades 4-10
Approx. 3-4 hours
*Water quality sampling kits are available to be checked out as a resource for classroom teachers already comfortable with their use.
Students are given bags with a variety of buttons and beans and are asked to cooperatively decide how the buttons and beans can be grouped or categorized – excellent activity to model/practice compare and contrast – easily done in any classroom.
Science
Grades K-5
Approx. 45-60 mins.
*Kit of buttons and beans may be checked out by any classroom teacher already comfortable with facilitating the activity.
Students predict which of several mild citric acids will cause the largest reaction with baking soda. Students use calibrated beakers/cylinders to measure reaction and document information – uses citric acids and can be messy but easily done in any classroom.
Science
Grades 3-8
Approx. 60-90 mins.
*Kit of graduated cylinders may be checked out by any classroom teacher already comfortable facilitating the activity.
Students are asked to predict what the results will look like when a certain white powder is mixed with a fixed amount of water. Excellent activity to model scientific method - good discussion about variables. Three different powders are investigated and the third powder involves a discrepant event which offers a great opportunity for substantive conversation. Can easily be done in any classroom but need access to water.
Science
Grades 3-8
Approx. 60-90 mins.
Series of classroom activities using different magnets. Students experience using magnets to do a variety of activities, make a variety of observations, and answer several questions about magnets and magnetic fields. Kit includes bar magnets, wand magnets, circular magnets, and rectangular magnets with a huge variety of different objects to test for attraction. Easily done in any classroom and should include a writing component.
Science
Grades 1-8
Approx. 60-90 mins.
*Kit is available to be checked out by any teacher already comfortable facilitating the activity.
Series of classroom activities to show how light waves react as they pass through differing lenses – concave, convex, magnifying, and 3-D lenses are compared and contrasted. May also include work with shadows and laser beams. Could also include work with transparent, translucent, and opaque. Easily done in any classroom.
Science
Grades 1-8
Approx. 60-90 mins.
*Kit is available to be checked out by any teacher already comfortable facilitating the activity.
After discussion of gravity and potential, kinetic, and energy of motion/friction, students perform an investigation to determine which of three ramps will cause their object (matchbox car, Tonka truck, ping-pong ball, plastic ball, waffle ball, and etc.) to roll the farthest or the fastest. Stop watches are available as well as varied measuring devices. Ramps are portable. Great opportunity for graphing/data tables. Easily done in any classroom. Similar activity offered using the Whacky Room Walkers that require students to do several tests and predictions.
Science
Grades 3-8
Approx. 60-90 mins.
*Kit is available to be checked out by any teacher already comfortable facilitating the activity.
Students perform inquiry based activity using wire, D cells, and bulbs. They are given materials in different configurations and asked to configure the materials in two different ways to successfully light the bulb. Tools such as switches and bulb holders are gradually worked into the activity as students explore making circuits. Kit is heavy but portable and easily done in any classroom.
Science
Grades 3-8
Approx. 60-90 mins.
*Kit is available to be checked out by any teacher already comfortable facilitating the activity.
Students follow the traditional scavenger hunt procedure, hunting for various items on a list in cooperative groups. All items are indigenous to our coniferous/deciduous forest. Resources are available to help identify trees and leaves, but pre-trip research by the students to make identification keys is preferred. Designed for Ligon Outdoor Center only.
Science
Grades K-12
Approx. 60-90 mins.
*Associated activity kits can be checked out for three or four weeks at a time by any teacher needing these resources. These kits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis throughout the school year. To make kit reservations, program reservations, or for more information – contact Larry Casler – Director of Genesee Area Math and Science Center 591-4470.