FaMIly Activities & Resources

Kids: Backyard Scientists!

Be a scientist in your own backyard! Your backyard (or nearby park or nature area) is waiting to be explored!

  • These activities are designed to be shared with your students AND their families!

  • Explore your backyard, or a nearby park/natural area just like a scientist!

  • Tailored for K-5th grade. During each activity you will be doing the very things scientists do: asking questions, making observations, conducting experiments, developing hypotheses, being creative and having a lot of fun!

  • Choose your favorite activity, take a printout, gather the materials needed, and don’t forget to ask an adult to help you if needed!

Copy of What is the weather_2021_04_08.pdf

What is the weather?

Copy of Water cycle_2021_03_23.pdf

Water Cycle in a baggie!

Copy of My favorite season_2021_04_08.pdf

My favorite season!

Copy of Edibleseeds_2021_03_30.pdf

Edible Seeds!

Copy of Germination_2021_04_08.pdf

Growing Plants!

Copy of Thirsty sweaty plants_2021_03_23.pdf

Thirsty, sweaty plants!

winter_family activity.pptx

This activity was created for Comstock STEM Academy, but you can make a copy to customize with your school's logo and social media info.


Resources

In this google folder, resources for teachers, you will find the documents below for both the Exploring with Scientists and the Bird of Prey Interview. You can view or create copies of each to use in your Google classroom or other virtual teaching space.

  • Program slides

  • Program Q&A

  • NGSS Standards for Program

  • Section Quizzes

Online Classroom Formats

  • Zoom, Google Classroom, Web Ex, MS Teams - whatever you are using - we’ll work with you!

  • Don’t have a digital classroom? No problem, we will provide a secure Zoom link. We can host your program either as Zoom Webinar or a Zoom Meeting. Zoom meetings will require parental permission forms because of the use of personal video for interaction.

  • Zoom Webinar: Designed to accommodate classes, grades, or groups with 15- 500 students. Students will not be visible to the Sanctuary educator or other students, but they will be able to submit questions in writing through the Q&A, and interact through polls. If student or teacher would like to ask a question verbally this will be accommodated.

  • Zoom or Google Classroom: Designed to accommodate classes of 15 - 35 students. Students will be visible to the educator and their classmates, and will have the ability to raise their hand to ask questions. In order to participate in this format, those registering will need to provide copies of parental permissions to participate in onscreen programs. If you would like to register for more than 35 students you will need to book a second slot.

Join our network of amazing educators and teachers across Michigan.