Program Descriptions for Each Grade Level (with corresponding Academic Standards for Science) 2008-’09 School Year Kindergarten: *Program duration = approximately 30-40 minutes 1) Tommy Trout – Students will pollute Tommy’s “lake” with debris in order to visually demonstrate how important clean water is to all creatures. (K.1.1, K.1.2, K.3.1) 2) Pollination Station – The importance of pollinating insects (specifically bees) in agriculture will be highlighted. Students will have a chance to participate in an interactive pollination activity. (K.1.1, K.1.2, K.2.2, K.6.1) 3) A Little “Dirt” Won’t Hurt! – Students get their hands dirty; various soil types will be used to demonstrate the differences in texture, appearance, etc, and how vital it is to all living things! (K.1.1, K.1.2, K.3.1, K.4.1, K.6.1) 4) The Vegetable Garden – a Big Book will be read aloud and students will participate in an activity involving seeds and plants.  (K.1.2, K.2.1, K.4.1) First Grade: *Program duration = approximately 40 minutes 1) It’s Alive! A Squirmy Soil Presentation – Soil is truly a living entity – discover a multitude of organisms that can be found in a fresh soil sample and study other important components. (This program is best scheduled before November and after February) (1.1.1, 1.1.3, 1.1.4, 1.2.5, 1.2.6, 1.4.4, 1.6.2) 2) The Wondrous Water Cycle – Students will learn about the three forms of water and its many uses. By demonstrating the cyclic nature of water, the importance of keeping it clean is stressed. (1.1.2, 1.2.6, 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3, 1.4.4) 3) The Pork Appreciation Program – Students will learn about pork and the importance of clean water and soil in its production. (1.1.3, 1.4.2, 1.4.3, 1.4.4) 4) Tremendous Trees – Learn all about the benefits of trees! Why are trees important to the environment and how do they tie in with soil and water? Tree materials will be brought in for demonstration. (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4, 1.2.1, 1.4.2, 1.4.3, 1.4.4) Second Grade: *Program duration = approximately 40 minutes 1) Soil Pizza – An artificial pizza model demonstrates how various ingredients (sausage, tomatoes, dough, onions, etc.) are related to soil, water and farmers. (2.4.3, 2.6.1, 2.6.2) 2) Dynamic Decomposers – How is soil created? Did you know that it takes 500-1000 years for an inch of soil to form? Discover the organisms and other factors that contribute to the generation of new soil! (2.1.4, 2.1.7, 2.3.1, 2.3.4, 2.3.5, 2.4.4, 2.4.5) 3) Beneath Your Feet (Discover Groundwater) – Where does spring water come from and what is a sinkhole? How do our actions on the surface affect what goes on underground? Learn the answers to these questions and more during this presentation. (2.1.3, 2.3.5, 2.4.1, 2.4.3, 2.4.4) 4) Indiana Geology 101- An introduction to limestone and its unique fossil features. Limestone is a southern Indiana tradition – find out why people from all over the nation are talking about it! (2.1.1, 2.1.3, 2.1.6, 2.3.3, 2.3.5, 2.4.4, 2.5.6) Third Grade: *Program duration = approximately 45 minutes 1) Make Mine Milk – Students learn about Dairy production, from start to finish (…and you thought chocolate milk came from brown cows!) (3.1.6, 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 3.4.4, 3.4.6, 3.4.7, 3.4.9) 2) Farmer’s Friends (Beneficial Insects) - an interesting introduction to entomology; students will learn about predatory insects that are used to cull pest populations as well as the role other insects play in agricultural pollination. (3.1.2, 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 3.4.3, 3.4.4, 3.4.5) 3) Stop Sediment – Eradicate Erosion! – What is erosion? Explore the effects excessive amounts of soil can have on our water and the reasons why we should all take steps to prevent it from entering our streams, rivers, lakes and groundwater systems (3.1.6, 3.3.5, 3.4.4, 3.4.8, 3.4.9, 3.6.2). 4) Where are Indiana’s Wetlands? - Learn the value of wetlands in Indiana, where they can be found, and what efforts are being made to try to rehabilitate these beneficial habitats. (3.1.6, 3.3.5, 3.4.1, 3.6.5) Fourth Grade: *Program duration = approximately 45 minutes 1) Amazing Kernels of Corn – There are many products made from corn that might surprise you; learn about how soil and water fit into the production of this important and versatile plant! (4.1.9, 4.4.2, 4.4.4, 4.4.6) 2) Wonderful Wiggling Worms – Hands-on activity with real worms; learn how earthworms help improve soil quality and provide many benefits to humans. (Classroom Worm Farm optional) (4.1.4,4.2.7, 4.4.2, 4.4.3, 4.4.4, 4.4.6) 3) Amphibians (as Water Quality Indicators) – Amphibian, from the Greek word ‘amphibios’ meaning “Double Life” (amphi –both, bios – life) – what can these creatures tell us about our water? Discover why these aquatic animals are used in studying water supplies.  (4.2.7, 4.4.7, 4.6.1) 4) Karst in our Backyards – Students learn about the effects of karst topography, caves, and groundwater on people everyday. Explore mysterious habitats, creatures, and limestone features that make Southern Indiana unique! (4.2.7, 4.3.5, 4.3.6, 4.3.7, 4.5.5, 4.6.1) Fifth Grade: *Program duration = approximately 50 - 60 minutes 1) Enviroscape Presentation – The Enviroscape is an interactive watershed model used to demonstrate soil erosion and/or water pollution. Students participate in hands-on activities and discuss conservation practices that are used as pollution prevention measures. (5.1.2, 5.1.5, 5.1.6, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 5.5.7, 5.6.1) 2) The Science Behind Beef – Students will explore many aspects of beef and how soil and water tie into its production. Discover how a hamburger’s taste can be affected by a cow’s diet and about the benefits of eating red meat to the human body. (5.1.4, 5.1.5, 5.4.1, 5.4.5, 5.4.7, 5.4.9) 3) What is a Watershed? – Learn how a watershed functions; students will work in groups to responsibly organize a ‘city’ based on knowledge of its watershed. Explore how “we all live downstream” and should take great care in keeping our waters clean by reducing run-off and protecting groundwater. (5.1.3, 5.1.6, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 5.5.7) 4) Environmental Energy Tangle (Explore Food Chains) – A class discussion and demonstration on how various components in an ecosystem (soil, water, sunlight, microorganisms, plants, various animals) interact. An energy web model will be used and different habitats will be highlighted. (5.1.5, 5.1.6, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 5.4.6, 5.5.7, 5.6.1, 5.6.3) Sixth – Eighth Grades: *Program duration = approximately 50-60 minutes *Academic Standards are generalized for each grade 1) Examining Benthic Macroinvertebrates – Students will understand the importance of these interesting organisms in indicating water quality as well as their respective roles in the environment. They will have a chance to view specimens up close and learn about taxonomy. Rehabilitation of stream ecosystems and wetlands, along with conservation methods will also be emphasized. (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4; 7.1, 7.3, 7.4; 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4) 2) The Joy of Soy! – An introduction to the production of soybeans and the many surprising places in which soy is found. Discover its importance in our daily lives and why we will be seeing more of it in the future. (6.1, 6.2, 6.3,6.4; 7.1, 7.3, 7.4; 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4) 3) Living with Limestone – Limestone is an important part of Southern Indiana’s history – learn about its formation and how it has changed over the course of time. Also, learn to identify some of its unique fossil features as well as develop an understanding of karst topography and how it is constantly changing beneath our feet. (6.1, 6.3, 6.4; 7.1, 7.3, 7.4; 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4) 4) “Magnifi”-cent Soils – Discover that soil is truly alive by getting a closer look at its components under a microscope. Learn to identify microorganisms and see how soil’s constituents interact to create a dynamic and vital resource for all living things. (You provide the microscopes, please). (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4; 7.1, 7.3, 7.4; 8.3, 8.4) Ninth-Twelfth Grades: *Program duration = approximately 50-60 minutes *Academic Standards are generalized to fit the following: ES.1, B1, ENV, but can be adjusted or specified to suit your class’s needs. 1) Water Quality Monitoring Lab – A Hoosier Riverwatch-based demonstration on water quality monitoring and the importance individuals can have in helping their community protect its public waters. (Must be able to spend class time outdoors at a nearby creek or stream; please schedule according to season – this program may require more time). 2) Conservation Farming – Take the Virtual Tour! – Agriculture is a daily necessity to everyone (in more ways than you may imagine) and it is important to reduce farming’s impact on the environment as our demand for certain crops increases. Discover and discuss ways in which traditional farming practices are being supplemented and updated by using conservation methods such as no-till, cover crops, nutrient management, and many more. This is a great opportunity to discuss these “green” farming practices and how they will affect everyone’s life in the future. 3) Stormwater Pollution Prevention – Preventing soil erosion and reducing run-off is the first step in helping keep our stream and river waters clean. Learn about types of erosion and why sediment is so detrimental to moving waters. How can an individual work to keep a “green” lawn and incorporate safe run-off practices and erosion control at home.  4) In-Class Discussion – Open discussion of any Soil/Water-related topic (Ex. Careers in conservation, responsible land use, consumer choices, etc.)