Belwin Outdoor Science

 

 

Animal Olympics:   High jump, long jump, sprint, fly! What special super-powers do animals have that can help them survive? Students will explore Belwin’s habitats from the perspective of forest and prairie animals in order to learn what animals need to stay on top of their game (SEP: 3). This lesson examines animal body structures and their functions through non-competitive games, and imaginative role-plays in that animal’s habitat (CI: LS1, CC:4). 

Habitat Explorers:  This lesson has students explore one or more of the habitats at Belwin. While exploring, students will identify what lives in each habitat and how those living things survive using their various body structures and how they function (CI: LS1).  Special attention will be given to what is happening outside on the day of their visit. 

Nature Eats: Students will investigate the question, “How do plants and animals survive here?” (SEP 3) Everything eats! We start by looking at sharp and flat mammal teeth (CC: 4, CI: LS1). Core vocabulary words include herbivore, carnivore and omnivore. Students will determine which type of eater is most common at Belwin and why. Extensions can include observing bird beaks and insect mouth parts (CC: 4, CI: LS1).

Nature Investigators:  In this lesson students explore along the trails looking for evidence to help them answer a science question while practicing and developing their science skills (SEP 3). Students will collaborate with teammates and discuss their observations to identify the plants and animals and which habitats they are found at Belwin. Students will then dive deeper into how animals survive in Minnesota using their body structures and how they function (CI: LS1). 

Predator/Prey:  Why are coyote teeth different from squirrel teeth? What makes some animals predators and others prey? In this class we will explore the structures animals have on their body and how those body parts function (CC: 4, CI: LS1). We will set out into Belwin’s habitats in search of real animal clues left by specific animal structures! To help us with our investigation, each student will become a different animal by wearing an animal photo around their neck so when we find a hole in a tree we can look at the woodpecker’s beak! Who is the predator and who is its prey? We’ll solve that mystery in this class!

 

Grade 5

ORIENTEERING
Ever wonder how to get around in the wilderness without getting lost? Let us show you in our Orienteering class. Using a compass, you will find your way through various Minnesota biomes as you explore Belwin. On your journey you will discover some of the plants and animals that live here and learn about how these organisms have certain structures that help them survive. This class requires reading and basic understanding of numbers one through 360. Students will work independently away from instructor on trail. (Science Standard 5.4.1.1.1)

 FOREST You will investigate the habitats of the oak and red pine forests. Are all trees alike? Come and find out what trees live here and how to identify them by studying their unique structures. Be prepared to hike and play games that focus on the amazing life of trees and their importance to life in the forest. (Science Standard 5.4.1.1.1)

AQUATIC LIFE
Water Tigers, Diving Beetles, Larvae galore, and all sorts of creatures you've never seen before. Students will discover organisms that live in a pond, wetland or stream of Belwin. Organisms will be examined for structures and functions that allow them to survive in an aquatic environment. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1) Abiotic tests may also be performed to identify factors that affect organisms such as dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature and turbidity.

BIRDING
Using your observation skills identify and study some of the birds that live here and in your neighborhood. You may use tools such as binoculars, real bird parts, identification books and an ipod to help you further examine the structures that give birds the ability to survive here in Minnesota and throughout the world. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)

RADIO TRACKING
Students will understand the methodology of scientific investigations, specifically, the way that scientists use radio telemetry equipment to aid in their study of animal ranges and behavior. During this lesson students will get to use real radio telemetry equipment to find an animal in our forest! This lesson is best for students with a good understanding of the English language. Students will work independently away from instructor on trail. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Do you have an eye for a great picture? Spend the day learning techniques for taking a great picture. The outdoors will be your subject! We will photograph some of the structures on plants and animals that allow them to survive here. In the afternoon, you will select the best pictures to put on an online photo album for your class. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)

BELWIN BUGS

Have you ever wondered what was crawling around in the tall prairie grass or underneath the leaf litter in the forest? Let’s catch them and find out. Students will use different methods to catch bugs that live in various habitats at Belwin. Students will take a close look at adaptations that help these bugs survive. Students will also be introduced to pollinators, what they are, and the important role pollinators play in their ecosystems. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)

PRAIRIE (Fall Only)

Feel like a field scientist as you explore the prairie using a variety tools. Test the temperature, wind speed, and the amount of sunlight. You will head into the prairie grass that towers over you to identify plants and catch bugs. Take a closer look at the bugs you find by studying their structures and the functions. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1).

Nature Tracker (Spring Only)

This course introduces students to Citizen Science and Phenology, tracking the nature through the seasons. Students will monitor the presence or absence of signs of the seasons (bud break, flowering, bird migration, butterflies etc.). Student observations will be put in context with historical trends observed at Belwin. Questions will focus on, "Why are flowers blooming earlier than they used to?" "Why are birds returning to MN earlier in the spring?" These questions will be peppered through a geocaching-like course that explores Belwin's prairies and forests. Science Standard  (5.4.1.1.1)

Grade 5

RADIO TRACKING
Students will understand the methodology of scientific investigations, specifically, the way that scientists use radio telemetry equipment to aid in their study of animal ranges and behavior. During this lesson students will get to use real radio telemetry equipment to find an animal in our forest! This lesson is best for students with a good understanding of the English language. Students will work independently away from instructor on trail. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
You will learn the basics of X-Country Skiing and then spend the day skiing through the woods learning about how Minnesota plants and animals are designed to function in winter. There are many hills at Belwin. Be prepared for a good workout. Dress warmly!  Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)

ORIENTEERING
Ever wonder how to get around in the wilderness without getting lost? Let us show you in our Orienteering class. Using a compass, you will find your way through various Minnesota biomes as you explore Belwin. On your journey you will discover some of the plants and animals that live here and learn about how these organisms have certain structures that help them survive. This class requires reading and basic understanding of numbers one through 360. Students will work independently away from instructor on trail. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)

ADAPTATIONS OF ANIMALS
Have you ever wondered how animals stay warm and find food in our snowy Minnesota winters? This activity invites students to experiment with various types of insulation to see which is warmest. Also, learn about how animals have adaptations for survival. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)

ANIMAL INVESTIGATIONS
How do we learn about the animals that live around us? An animal investigator spends time looking for signs animals leave to learn about what animals are around and how they survive. This class introduces some of the signs animals leave and how we can learn from them. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)

WINTER SURVIVAL
How do people survive in the winter? This class focuses on how people have adapted to the cold by studying the animals around us. You will explore how animals survive the winter and how humans have used fire and shelter to live in cold environments. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Do you have an eye for a great picture? Spend the day learning techniques for taking a great picture. The outdoors will be your subject! We will photograph some of the structures on plants and animals that allow them to survive here. In the afternoon, you will select the best pictures to put on an online photo album  for your class. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)

BIRDING
Using your observation skills identify and study some of the birds that live here and in your neighborhood. You may use tools such as binoculars, real bird parts, identification books and an ipod to help you further examine the structures that give birds the ability to survive here in Minnesota and throughout the world. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)

Two lessons for secondary science have been very popular. Indeed these two courses take advantage of Belwin's greatest strengths which include comparisons of a variety of habitats and water bodies. If you would like to change these lessons or plan an entirely new lesson, please contact Belwin's Education Director, Josh Leonard at 651-744-7967 or joshua.leonard@spps.org

Eco Challenge a mildly competitive (fun!) student-led course. We enable students to lead themselves through prairie, pine and deciduous forests while measuring and comparing abiotic and biotic factors. Students will learn that a system with more light, will support more plants, and if there are more plants, there are more bugs. This basic concept can be applied to increasingly complex models, depending on your goals. Also, we can emphasize the connection between students' field work directly to climate change and how it is impacting MN.

  Comparative Water Quality Monitoring: Students will hike to a stream and to a pond. Students measure abiotic and biotic factors and interpret their results to determine which system is healthier and why. We connect their observations in the field to water quality issues in the Mississippi River and to the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Depending on your goals we can also emphasize what students can do to improve water quality.    Other: Belwin is open to supporting your science teaching and your students' science learning. Belwin has 3 MN biomes represented here (prairie, coniferous forest, and deciduous forest). There are 4 types of water bodies on site (stream, pond, marsh and glacial pothole). Belwin embraces Citizen Science and has many CitSci projects ongoing on site. Nothing is "canned." If there is a particular science lesson/topic or skill that you would like your students to focus on at Belwin, we can accommodate that. Josh Leonard is happy to collaborate with you to develop a field investigation that best supports your teaching and your students' learning. Tailoring a lesson to your needs takes time. Please communicate your needs at least 2 weeks ahead of your scheduled field trip. More time will ensure better results.