School Programs

1. Schoolyard Habitat: Build a Pollinator Garden

Grades: K–2

Students will explore the importance of pollinators and create a pollinator-friendly garden on school grounds. Activities include habitat observation, garden design, and planting native plants.

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Key Learning Topics: Pollination, ecosystems, habitat needs, human impact, native plants

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Standards Alignment:

• Ohio Science Standards:

  • K.LS.1 - Living things have specific characteristics and traits

  • 1.LS.2 - Living things survive only in environments that meet their needs

  • 2.LS.1 - Living things cause changes on Earth

• NGSS:

  • K-LS1-1 - Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals need to survive

  • 2-LS4-1 - Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats

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2. Nature Journaling: Observe & Create

Grades: K–5

Students will create their own nature journals and learn how to record observations, ask questions, and reflect on their experiences outdoors through drawing and writing.

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Key Learning Topics: Observation skills, sensory exploration, phenology, descriptive writing, ecological awareness

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Standards Alignment:

• Ohio Science Standards (K–5):

  • Scientific Inquiry and Application – All grades: Observe, question, communicate findings

  • Life Science and Earth Science Strands – Emphasis varies by grade (e.g., seasonal changes, ecosystems, organisms)

• NGSS:

  • K-ESS3-1 - Use a model to represent the relationship between needs of different plants and animals

  • 3-LS4-3 - Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well

  • 5-PS1-3 - Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties

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3. Seed Balls & Plant Life Cycles

Grades: K–5

In this interactive program, students learn about the plant life cycle from seed to flower, then create their own wildflower seed balls to take home or plant in a school garden.

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Key Learning Topics: Plant parts, life cycles, seed dispersal, native species, environmental stewardship

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Standards Alignment:

• Ohio Science Standards:

  • K.LS.1 - Living things have basic needs

  • 1.LS.1 - Basic needs of living things

  • 3.LS.1 - Offspring resemble parents and go through a life cycle

  • 5.LS.1 - Organisms perform functions through systems

• NGSS:

  • 1-LS1-1 - Use materials to design a solution to help plants grow

  • 3-LS1-1 - Develop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles

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4. Decomposers: Fungi, Soil & Rot

Grades: K–5

Students dive into the world of decomposers by exploring soil life, identifying fungi, insects, and bacteria that break down organic matter. They’ll make mushroom grow kits, observe fungal growth, and investigate the role decomposers play in healthy ecosystems.

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Key Learning Topics: Decomposition, food webs, soil biodiversity, fungi, recycling nutrients

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Standards Alignment:

• Ohio Science Standards:

  • K.LS.1 – Living things have basic needs

  • 2.LS.1 – Living things cause changes on Earth

  • 5.LS.1 – Organisms perform a variety of functions through systems

• NGSS:

  • 2-LS2-1 – Plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow

  • 5-LS2-1 – Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment