Lessons and Standards

Students explore the rocky seashore to discover the animals that depend on this unique ecosystem and develop an understanding of why it is worth protecting.

During the Exploration Day at the Living Lab, students experience being a science leader throughout the day by exploring the rocky seashore environment to search for animals, conducting an investigation to observe hermit crab behaviors in low tide and high tide conditions, and analyzing different animals and their body shapes to understand how that helps them live in the rocky seashore.  Students add to a drawing of the rocky seashore at each station that they can share with family and friends to communicate the importance of this ecosystem.

During Make a Difference Day in the classroom, students build a rocky seashore in the classroom and populate it with animals that live in and around tide pools. Students suggest where the poster should be displayed to communicate to others that they have made a pledge to protect this environment, while inspiring others to do the same. Collectively, these experiences build students’ belief that they are unique individuals who belong to the community of science, that they can learn from science leaders, and that they can make a difference in the world.

 

NGSS Alignment

Performance Expectations

K-LS1-1. Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

K-ESS3-3. Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.

Crosscutting Concepts – Systems and systems models – students understand that a system is a group of related parts that make up a whole and can carry out functions its individual parts cannot. They can also describe a system in terms of its components and their interactions.

Classroom Media

Schedules

Additional Resources