Elementary Programs

GUG allows students to discover the wonders of nature (and experientially engage with both NGSS and EL standards through the lens of arts integration.

Schools that participate will receive training and materials to complete this program (approx 5 days).

Students explore the life cycle of a plant to determine both its importance and how we can protect it. As well, students learn to make observational drawings. They use the drawings to create embroidered artwork to demonstrate their understanding of the plant life cycle.

The first grade program "Forest Friends" is an immersive environmental education day program in the outdoors. Students work in small groups and rotate through a variety of hands-on stations. This program is currently being offered as a virtual half or whole day "trip", with environmental lessons on pollinators and other insects, plant and animal life cycles and the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Through a virtual learning platform, students will build background knowledge related to aquatic habitats, varying environmental conditions and physical characteristics essential for sunfish to grow and develop. Students will observe sunfish housed in an aquarium to identify fish behaviors and analyze water quality data.

The virtual trip is a day-long event for the entire grade. Lessons focus on responsible waste management, local wildlife population study, personal connection to our local waterways and our watershed, an ecosystem scavenger hunt, Schmidt Center campus tour, and concludes with a virtual campfire experience.