Let's create continuous conversations about climate change education: Spreading the Sediment of Science!

Outdoor Discoveries Guide

Provided by: National Environmental Education Foundation

Activity - Outdoors Grades 6-8, 9-12

Synopsis

This guide explains how to host a National Public Lands Day event and includes ideas for event activities.
This guide is for hosting your own event for National Public Lands Day, but these activities can be implemented in the classroom without an event.
In the activities, students will learn about the importance of and threats facing pollinators, the importance of biodiversity, and the elements of biodiversity that exist in their environments.

Subjects: Biology

Authors: National Environmental Education Foundation

Region: United States

Languages: English

Positives

The resource includes links to several related lessons and projects.
Getting students and community members involved in outdoor volunteer work is great for both people and the planet.

Prerequisites

Students should understand biodiversity.
If they are hosting a National Public Lands Day event, teachers will need to prepare, advertise, and staff their event.
If teachers are taking students off of school grounds for activities, students should understand expectations, such as leaving no trace and respecting the land.

Differentiation & Implementation

To make connections to climate change, students can research how rising temperatures impact the pollinators in their area. Students can also look into phenological changes and how pollinators and blooming plants are becoming out of synch.
After designing a pollinator garden, students and teachers can select the best design and use the Growing a Pollinator Garden resource to implement the design.
Before participating in the BioBlitz, students can watch this video, Why Do We Need Biodiversity? Students can then discuss the human activities that threaten biodiversity, such as over-harvesting and introducing invasive species.
Teachers of high school students can assign them the task of organizing a National Public Lands Day event for the community or for middle and elementary school students.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format