NATURAL SCIENCES

Aquatic Ecology

Overview:  Skelton is host to a variety of freshwater ecosystems including streams, a vernal pool, a lacustrine wetland and it’s star attraction—Smith Mountain Lake.   Students will gather and observe life from these ecosystems and participate in activities and discussions that will help them understand the interdependence of life in an aquatic community. 

Principles:

• Understand the concepts of how living things are linked by studying the food chain and water cycle
• Identify the importance of different ecosystems (micro-habitats of Smith Mountain Lake)
• Understand how organisms adapt and predict how environmental changes might affect adaptations
• Explore and observe organisms in their native habitat

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs):

• 4th-8th Grade Virginia Science SOLs:
  • 4.1, 4.5, 4.8, 5.1, 5.5, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, LS.4, LS.6, LS.7, LS.9, LS.10, LS.11, ES.2, ES.9            
• 5th-8th Grade Virginia English SOLs: (achieved through Eco Journals)
  • 5.1 a, 5.8 b/c, 6.1 a/b/c, 7.8 a/c, 8.7 a/b/c

Everchanging Earth

Overview:  Through activities and discussion, students will learn that while it appears that we are standing on solid rock, the surface of the Earth is always changing.  Stand on the edge of Smith Mountain Lake and see in geology in action in the form of weathering and erosion.  Students will explore the area and discover a variety of rocks and minerals that help form the Appalachian Mountains that we know today.  Investigate how everything people do on earth and in space has an environmental impact.

Principles:

• Explain the concepts of geological time by collecting, identifying and discussing how rocks are formed
• Use cycles to show how resources are continually changing
• Demonstrate through discussion and explanation the knowledge of human impact on the environment

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs):

• 3rd-8th Grade Virginia Science SOLs
  • 3.7, 4.8, 5.7, 6.9, LS.7, LS.10, LS.11, LS.12, LS.14, ES.2, ES.3, ES.5, ES.6, ES.8, ES.10

Every Day Matters

Overview:  Through activities and discussion, students will focus on the wise use of natural resources and making choices every day that will positive impact the Earth.  While exploring nature, students will consider their own attitudes, values and environmental ethics.

Principles:

• Discuss issues concerning human impact on the environment
• Define various methods of garbage disposal and resource conservation
• Understand the cycles that effect human impact
• Analyze and recognize behaviors that can positively and negatively affect the environment

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs):

• 3rd-8th Grade Virginia Science SOLs
  • 3.6, 3.10, 3.11, 4.5, 4.8, 6.2, 6.9, LS.8, LS.12, ES.7
• 3rd Grade Virginia History/Social Studies SOLs
  • 3.9, 3.10
• 5th/7th Grade Virginia Visual Arts SOLs
  • 5.12, 7.11

   

Forest Ecology

Overview: An exploration of the various plants, animals and their interdependence in a southwestern Virginia forest.  Several different focuses can be emphasized, including the role of wildlife, sensory awareness and expressions through nature, the human factor and conservation.

Principles:

• Understand how organisms adapt and predict how environmental changes affect their adaptations
• Identify the importance of different ecosystems and the organisms that live within them
• Understand the concepts of how things are linked by studying the food chain and cycles such as water, nitrogen and carbon
• Explore, observe and discuss organisms living in their native habitat

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs):

• 3rd-8th Grade Virginia Science SOLs
  • 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.10, 4.1, 4.4, 4.5, 4.8, 5.1, 5.5, 6.7, 6.9, LS.4, LS.6, LS.7, LS.9, LS.10, LS.11, ES.7

Growing Together: A Garden Study

Overview:   Gardens are magical settings filled with aromas, colors and patterns that excite and awaken the imagination.  Through activities and discussion, students will explore the importance of gardens in nurturing, caring, sharing and building within their communities.

Principles:

• Understand different types of gardens
• Investigate the LAWS of the garden
• Define the parts of a plant
• Observe the plant life cycle

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs):

• 3rd-8th Grade Virginia Science SOLs
  • 3.4, 3.5, 3.7, 3.8, 3.11, 4.4, 4.5, 5.5, 6.3, LS.4, LS.5, LS.6, LS.9, LS.12, ES.7

Watershed Wonders

Overview:  Water is the most powerful force on the earth.  Water connects all things and touches all.  Life would not exist without the presence of water.  In Watersheds, students gain an understanding of the importance of water, the paths it takes, the cycles it works within, how the natural environment can aid in water improvement and human impact.

Principles:

• Water is cycled in three phases in the water cycle (liquid, solid, gas)
• A watershed is an area from which surface runoff drains into a stream, lake, reservoir or other body of water known as a drainage basin
• Although the Earth’s surface is 70% water, water is not readily available for human consumption
• Wetlands are areas where water saturation is the dominant factor determining the type of soil
• Soil and vegetation play an important part in the natural filtration process
• The effects of positive and negative human impact on watersheds

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs):

• 3rd-8th Grade Virginia Science SOLs
  • 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.10, 4.1, 4.5, 4.8, 5.1, 5.5, 6.7, 6.9, LS. 4, LS.6, LS.7, LS.9, LS.10, LS.11, ES.7

Weather Wise

Overview: Weather affects our lives everyday.  It determines which clothes we choose to wear in the morning, it affect crops, wildlife, even our behavior.  The world’s most popular topic of conversation is brought to life in a series of activity stations, discussion and outdoor   exploration.

Principles:

• Explore condensation, evaporation and how they affect temperature
• Investigate weather map symbols and their meanings
• Identify and classify different clouds and cloud formations
• Observe the relationship between barometric pressure and weather patterns
• Observe the effect of acid rain on objects
• Evaluate traditional weather folk lore

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs):

• 3rd-8th Grade Virginia Science SOLs
  • 3.8, 3.10, 4.6, 5.7, 6.3, 6.6, LS.11, ES.13