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PARENTS & TEACHERS

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Resources for You

SCD educational programs include hands-on, interactive demonstrations and activities about natural resources and local issues concerning these resources. The lessons are designed by a certified teacher to be grade-level appropriate and in line with all state standards. Most lessons will also connect with the science education that students are receiving in their schools. Lessons are provided free of charge to K-12 classrooms; as well as, home-school groups and other organizations that serve the youth (i.e. YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club).

Browse the options for educational presentations and programs or contact Stacey to get scheduled: Stacey Selcho, 509-535-7274 ext 217 or Stacey-selcho@sccd.org.

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K-12  Lessons & Programs

Explore SCD Classroom Programs
Browse our educational lessons and programs by clicking the subheadings below. Grade-level recommendations are included in each description. For custom presentations, contact Education Coordinator Stacey Selcho.

Trout in the Classroom
Stacey helps teachers set up tanks, deliver trout, offer support, and coordinate release days. One tank can serve multiple classrooms.

Wheat Week Lessons
A five-day series for 4th–5th grade exploring wheat from the ground up.

EnviroKids Club
K–6 students can join to learn about local natural resources. Members receive newsletters, event invites, and can attend Clubhouse events. Girl Scout or youth groups can request a visit.

EnviroKids Partners Include: Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, National Weather Service, Spokane Aquifer Joint Board, Spokane County Environmental Services, Spokane Solid Waste & City of Spokane Solid Waste, City of Spokane Water Department, Spokane Conservation District

Here are some quick links to fun and educational activities you can do at home!

Classroom Lessons

That’s TREE-mendous!

Students will learn why trees are some of the most amazing forms of life on the planet. They will use tree cookies to identify the structure of a tree inside out and the adaptations trees use to sustain their lives. Using dichotomous keys, students will experience how scientists identify trees and learn the major differences between trees.

Grades 3-6

Watersheds and Wetlands

Using a three-dimensional model called Enviroscape, students will learn what a watershed is, what watershed they live in, and how we affect our watershed. By making observations with the model students can see how pollution affects our watersheds, the difference between non-point and point source pollution, and why wetlands are so important. Watersheds are complex ecosystems that can be difficult to grasp, but this model brings watersheds to life.

Grades 3-8

Water – From the Ground Up

Students will learn about where their water comes from and where it fits into the water cycle. We will explore water on our planet and how we can conserve the water that we use. We also will cover any local issues that we may be facing with our water. Students will make models of their aquifer and the water cycle.

Incredible Journey

Students will review the water cycle and participate in an adapted Project WET activity that takes them around the world as water droplets. Students diagram and reflect on how they moved from place to place.

Grades 2-6

In Deep Water

While the Earth is covered with water there is a very small amount that we are able to use. Students explore how much fresh water and salt water is on the planet and how much we use in the United States as compared with other countries. Students will explore water scarcity across the planet and construct their own water filters. Water is a universal solvent and in this capacity, it can be very difficult to separate water from the substance (or solute) that is polluting it. Students can experiment with homogeneous and heterogeneous polluted water mixtures. This is a two-part class.

Grades 5-8

How Does Our Water Flow?

Students will learn about their aquifer and how groundwater is part of the water cycle. We will discuss the importance of soil as a filter and why it plays such a large role in cleaning our drinking water. Students will be able to observe how groundwater moves through a large groundwater flow model and how pollution can affect our groundwater.

Grades 5-8

Have Seeds Will Travel

Students will learn about the importance of biodiversity and adaptations. We will explore the different adaptations that plants have for seed dispersal and students will engineer their own seed dispersal adaptations.

Grades 5-8

It’s a Soilabration!

Students will learn more about soil formation, soil biology, and the important role that soil has in our watersheds. We will explore weathering and erosion and the part they play in soil formation. They will also see how soil interacts with water and some of the physical properties of soil. Grades K-8

A Rock Can Be…

Students will explore different rocks, minerals, and fossils and how we use them in everyday life. We will discuss being a geologist and other careers that use rocks. Students will get some hands-on experience with rock investigations and get a take-home rock activity.

Grades K-2

Outdoor Education

Macro-Invertebrate Investigation

Students will collect their own macros (if the area allows for this), identify macros using a dichotomous key, and then classify these macros using a bio-assessment sheet. Students will conduct their own bio-assessment of the water quality otherwise known as using biological organisms to help determine water quality.

Grades 4-12

*These lessons are fairly flexible – SCD staff can adjust them to suit your needs. Listed are the lessons and materials that are already designed; however, if there is something else that you are interested in doing on your field trip contact Stacey Selcho stacey-selcho@sccd.org to see what we might be able to develop.

Soils Investigation

Students will use a number of different soil tools and learn all about “Shovelomics” to determine soil properties and quality.

Grades 3-12

*These lessons are fairly flexible – SCD staff can adjust them to suit your needs. Listed are the lessons and materials that are already designed; however, if there is something else that you are interested in doing on your field trip contact Stacey Selcho stacey-selcho@sccd.org to see what we might be able to develop.

Trees

Students will use dichotomous keys to identify different trees and determine the characteristics that make them different. Students will undergo a fun exploration of trees through an activity called “Meet a Tree”. The activities I have for trees are various and will depend on the time of year and the age of students.

Grades K-8

*These lessons are fairly flexible – SCD staff can adjust them to suit your needs. Listed are the lessons and materials that are already designed; however, if there is something else that you are interested in doing on your field trip contact Stacey Selcho stacey-selcho@sccd.org to see what we might be able to develop.

Gyotaku Fish Printing Plastic Fish Replicas

Gyotaku is the Japanese art of printing fish onto paper. A popular alternative to using real fish for this art form is using a fish
replica. Popular with our Trout in the Classroom schools for creating Rainbow
Trout t-shirts of printing on paper, these are a fun way to learn about different art forms and celebrate our local wildlife.

This set includes: 10 silicon fish prints, direction for use, and info about Gyotaku.

Enviroscape Watershed Model

Hands-on, interactive demonstration of the sources and effects of water pollution. Easily demonstrate how storm water runoff carries pollutants through the watershed to a pond, lake, river, bay, or ocean – and the best management practices to prevent this type of pollution from occurring. The overall watershed/stormwater concept is effectively communicated to all ages (children to adults)!

This kit includes model, watershed model guide and materials needed for
demonstration.

Check
out more information at the Enviroscape website.

GroundwaterFlow Model

The groundwater flow model is a tabletop display, approx. 2 ft long X 1 ft tall X 1.5 in wide, that is used to teach about recharge, discharge and groundwater levels as it shows the flow of water and pollutants through an aquifer.

This kit includes model, groundwater model guide, and info about the Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie aquifer.

Check out more information at the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts website.

School Yard Lessons

STEM Activities

t’s always a challenge to keep students engaged over the summer in learning. Here you will find 25 activities to keep students engaged. From using a cricket to determine the temperature, making a hot air balloon, and creating art. These activities will engage any learner in a simple hands-on approach. Included is a journal page to have students reflect on their learning.

Summer of Steam Activities Bingo Card – by MrSTEMurray

Check out these great websites for teaching youth about natural resources.

Environmental Learning From Home – Virtual tours, backyard activities, conservation education and more!

Nature Rocks: Let’s Go Explore – A website for parents or their kids to find inspiration for playing outside in their backyard, park, forest or in the water.

The Green Squad – A website for kids created by the Natural Resources Defense Council.

EPA Teaching About the Environment – Air, Climate Change, Ecosystems, Energy, Health, Waste, and Water lessons for K-12.

Mass Audubon –  Explore the Outdoors with Nature Bingo!

Outdoor School – Soil Activities

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Outdoor Learning Labs

The Outdoor Learning Labs are free to use and contain materials you need to provide your students with learning opportunities outside.

The Learning Labs will provide educators with the materials needed to facilitate outdoor learning with youth. Students will be able to investigate and learn about different elements outdoors. Some of the labs are purchased through outdoor education providers and some were created by staff. The labs range from an orienteering kit, to a variety of replica skulls, to a macroinvertebrate investigation kit, and more…

Who can use these?

These labs are intended for any educator providing learning opportunities for groups of youth. That could be a classroom teacher, youth group organizer, local non-profit, parks, or homeschool co-op.

Where can these be used?

Many of the labs can be used right in your schoolyard but there are so many parks and natural areas around us to be explored.

For OLL reservations or information, please contact Education Coordinator, Stacey Selcho at stacey-selcho@spokanecd.org or call 509-535-7274 EXT. 217

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Educational Contact

Stacey Selcho
Education Coordinator
509-535-7274, ext. 217
Stacey-Selcho@SpokaneCD.org

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