School Programs

Education in an environmental setting encourages students to think critically and creatively and effectively guides them in learning about the relationship between human actions and their impact on the natural world. Our school programs are based on curricula aligned with Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) and Environmental Education Standards. ESC strives for a ratio of one instructor for every 12 students in the field in order to provide high quality instruction and personal attention for every student as well as to meet teachers’ requests for specific curriculum emphasis. Typically, a one hour classroom session is followed by a 90-minute inquiry-based field program at a location such as Seahurst Park or the Normandy Park Cove. Registration forms for each program are available for download at the bottom of each program listing. There are Word Document and PDF versions. The Word version may be filled out and emailed to the address on the form (recommended), or either version can be printed, filled out and mailed to: Environmental Science Center – Attn: Registration – 126 SW 148th Street, Suite C100-170 – Burien, WA 98166

* For schools with more than 50% of the student population on free or reduced lunch, please inquire about our program cost fee waiver. ESC strives for a ratio of 1 instructor for every 12 students in the field in order to provide high quality instruction and personal attention for every student as well as to meet teachers’ requests for specific curriculum emphasis.

ESC Course List for 2011-2012

We offer the following subject matter for the K-12 grade programs, which can be adapted for different ages and special interests by request of the teacher.

You may download a PDF copy of the ESC Program Guide for a complete listing of our programs.

2011_2012 ESC Program Guide

Programs are aligned with 2009 Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements, Science Standards, and Environmental Education Standards. ESC staff will work with teachers to modify programs to fit their curriculum needs.

 

Water Heroes – Keep our Watershed Healthy:

Grades: K-12 – Water Heroes: Classroom Presentation & Field Study Investigation The 1 hour classroom presentation uses an interactive PowerPoint presentation and hands on activity to discover components of a healthy watershed, water cycle, and the impact human have on water health. The 1.5 hour field study investigation can be done at your school or takes students to a local water feature to test the quality of the water. Field studies could also include a restoration project such as ivy removal or community service component such as storm drain stenciling. Teachers can choose from grade specific focus areas:

1: Follow the Flow? – Explore the water cycle and properties of water and the importance of watershed health and water quality. Identify your local watershed and examine indicators of watershed health. (Grades K-2)

2: Where Does it Go? – Examine human made modifications to the watershed system; review the difference between a sewer and storm drain. Identify street run-off, helps students identify actions they can take to reduce the amount of pollutants entering storm drains, includes a water quality testing scientific exploration. (Grades 3- 12)

Cost:  $50 for the 1 hour classroom presentation and $150 for the 1.5 hour field study.*

Registration Form: 2011_2012_Registration_WaterHeroes

Digging up Dirt – A Field Investigation Using the Scientific Method:

Three Classroom Sessions (4th-8th grades): This lesson includes three one-hour classroom/field investigation sessions. Students will use the scientific method to collect, measure, and analyze soil samples from two different school ground locations

  • Session One: An overview of the steps involved in planning a field investigation: Forming a hypothesis, Materials, Procedures, Data Collection, and Conclusion.
  • Session Two: The data collection phase in which transect lines are used to collect soil from two different locations on the school grounds and tools are used to measure the results.
  • Session Three: Students will graph and analyze their data to accept or reject the hypothesis. Students will draw conclusions and recognize variables. Students will connect this information to environmental issues and stewardship practices.

Cost: $200 for three 1 hour classroom/field study sessions. *

Registration Form:   2011_2012_Registration_DiggingUpDirt

Your Neighborhood Wilderness:

Classroom Presentation & Field Study Investigation (K-12th grades) This program introduces students to their local backyard ecosystems. The 1 hour classroom presentation incorporates a PowerPoint presentation and scavenger hunt. The 1.5 hour field study will be performed at Seahurst Park’s 169 acres of woodland trails. Teachers will choose from three possible focus areas:

  1. “Who’s Bugging You?”- Terrestrial Invertebrate Identification (Grades K-2)
  2. “What’s Under Your Feet?”- Soil and Plants (Grades 2-5)
  3. “What’s Above Your Head?”- Birds and Biodiversity (Grades 6-12)

All three focus areas can be offered as a classroom only session and can include exploration of the schoolyard for the field study component.

Cost: $50 for the 1 hour classroom presentation and $150 for the 1.5 hour field study. *

Registration Form: 2011_2012_Registration_Neighborhood_Wilderness

Salmon and You:

Classroom Presentation & Field Study Investigation (offered in the fall only – 4th-8th grades) This program explores the lifecycle of salmon, provides hands-on experience with internal/external fish anatomy, identifies salmon habitat needs and limiting factors, and analyzes water quality. The 1 hour classroom presentation and 3 hour field study help students determine their local stream or rivers suitability for salmon as they investigate the health of the Walker/Miller Creek Watershed or Duwamish/Green River Watershed. Students also discover their impact on salmon habitat. The field study includes a large motor skills game. This program can be offered as a classroom only session.

Cost: $50 for the 1 hour classroom presentation and $200 for the 3 hour field study.*

2011-2012 Registration CLOSED. Come back in fall 2012.

Exploring Intertidal Puget Sound:

Classroom Presentation & Field Study (offered in the spring – K-12th grades) This program introduces students to the local Puget Sound beach habitat and the organisms that live there. Beach etiquette and stewardship are stressed! The classroom presentation includes a PowerPoint presentation and a focus specific field guide activity. The field study will be performed at Seahurst Beach. Teachers will choose from four possible focus areas:

  1. “Who Am I?”- Identification of Marine Invertebrates (Grades K-2)
  2. “Who’s My Neighbor?”- Intertidal Zones (Grades 3-4)
  3. “Who’s My Dinner?”- Predators and Prey of Marine Invertebrates (Grades 4-6)
  4. “Who’s My Relative?”- Organization of Marine Invertebrates by Phylum (Grades 7-12)

All four focus areas can be delivered as a classroom only session. Cost: $200 for the 1 hour classroom presentation and the 1.5 hour field study.

2011-2012 Registration closed. Come back spring 2013.