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 rely on each other for energy. This class requires reading and basic understanding of numbers one through 360. Students will work independently away from instructor on trail. (Science Standard 5L3.1.1.3)

 
WETLAND FOOD WEBS
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 identified and determined how they get the energy they need in and around the wetland. Science Standard (5L3.1.1.3) 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 eat certain foods throughout their habitat. Science Standard (5L3.1.1.3)

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 animals and how they get what they need in their habitats. 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 (5L3.1.1.3)

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 plants and animals to figure out what allows 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 (5L3.1.1.3)

HABITAT SEEKERS

What kinds of life are found in our Minnesota habitats? This class has you exploring various habitats at Belwin to discover what lives there. (You will even get to use maps, binoculars and two-way radios during your hike!) Once you figure out what lives in the habitats you can use this knowledge to understand how these life forms are interconnected and contribute to a healthy ecosystem. (5L3.1.1.3)

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 animals and how they get what they need in their habitats. 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 (5L3.1.1.3)

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 rely on each other for energy. This class requires reading and basic understanding of numbers one through 360. Students will work independently away from instructor on trail. (Science Standard 5L3.1.1.3)

WINTER SURVIVAL
(Description coming)

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 plants and animals to figure out what allows 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 (5L3.1.1.3)

HABITAT SEEKERS

What kinds of life are found in our Minnesota habitats? This class has you exploring various habitats at Belwin to discover what lives there. (You will even get to use maps, binoculars and two-way radios during your hike!) Once you figure out what lives in the habitats you can use this knowledge to understand how these life forms are interconnected and contribute to a healthy ecosystem. (5L3.1.1.3)

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.