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Differential Densities of Water and Wind Energy Labs
Differential Densities of Water and Wind Energy Labs
In December 2018 and January 2019, Elms staff supported Environmental Science Labs at Chopticon High School and Fairlead Academy II by assisting, lesson modeling, and/or planning. Approximately 200 students compared densities of marine, brackish, fresh, hot and cold water by modeling ocean and atmospheric currents which influence climate. Students also designed, tested and refined wind turbines to successfully catch rising thermals simulated by steam rising from water heated on a hot plate.
Science Day
Science Day
Staff provided a leaky canoe, native plants grown in the Elms Native Plant Nursery, materials and technical support to Greenview Knolls Elementary School's Science Day on April 21, 2016. Students planted a canoe garden with plants beneficial to butterflies, and released a Monarch butterfly they had raised. Approximately 40 students and 25 parents participated.
Ecosystem Interactions: 3rd Grade
Ecosystem Interactions: 3rd Grade
During the 3rd Grade field study held at The Elms, students determine the biotic and abiotic factors of the vernal pool ecosystem. This study is aligned with NGSS PEs 3-LS4-3 (Adaptations) and 3-LS4-4 (Biodiversity and Humans).
Approximately 1,200 students participate in this field study annually.
STEM Fest
STEM Fest
Elms Volunteers educated students about animal adaptations at the SMCPS STEM Fest 2018, and oyster filtration at STEM Fests 2016 and 2017.
Approximately 425 students participated.
Elms Volunteers Meghan Heinrich and Alicia Lindbom supporting STEM Fest.
11-7-18 email acknowledging Elms' participation in STEM Fest.
Students collect insects to learn how their external features help them survive.
Title I Summer School
Title I Summer School
The Elms staff and volunteers design and teach an annual Environmental Education field study for Title I Summer School students.
photos below from August 18, 2018
Approximately 90 students participate annually.
Students examine and identify aquatic animals collected while dip-netting in the Bay and Marsh.
Lunch and Learn Summer Program
Lunch and Learn Summer Program
Elms staff and volunteers support annual environmental programming during the summer Lunch and Learn programs held at Lexington Park and Carver Elementary Schools.
Last year's programs were held on August 15, 2018.
Approximately 50 students participate annually.
5-25-18 email scheduling Elms-to-Go presentations at Lunch and Learn.
Green Day
Green Day
Elms staff and volunteers assisted in the planning and implementation of Mechanicsville Elementary's Green Day, a bi-annual day-long school-wide celebration featuring hands-on curriculum-aligned environmental lessons.
May 30, 2018
Approximately 400 students participated.
Students building and modeling a landfill.
Students building 'Lasagna Gardens' using compostable materials.
Great Backyard Bird Count
Great Backyard Bird Count
Staff and volunteers led students at Mechanicsville and Oakville (2018) and Ridge (2019) Elementary Schools in the Great Backyard Bird Count.
Approximately 50 students participated at each school.
Ridge 3rd Grade students theorized that people participate in the GBBC to have a contest and to save birds from extinction - both good reasons! They learned that scientists can't be everywhere and count every bird. They rely on community (or citizen) scientists to collect large amounts of data from which larger trends can be spotted.
The GBBC supports the third grade NGSS life science standard "Develop an understanding that some organisms are better suited to certain habitats than others," as well as building on earth science standard "Describe seasonal weather changes through data interpretation."
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