2nd Grade Teachers

Students learn the importance of wetland ecosystems and explore how living things utilize the wetlands as a habitat.

During the classroom day, students are introduced to the wetland ecosystem and the organisms that live there by building a classroom wetland and populating it with native plants and animals. Students build belief that they are unique individuals who belong to a community of scientists by learning what scientists do and creating an action that represents them as an individual scientist.

During the Exploration Day at Living Coast Discovery Center, students build belief that they can recognize and do science, as they explore a real wetland and use scientific tools to investigate how birds, underwater animals, and insects use the wetlands as a habitat.

During the Make a Difference Day at the Living Lab, students discover and explore wetlands located within their community. Students experience being a Wetland Biologist by using their imagination and dressing up to explore the local canyon and by collecting and studying microorganisms that live in pond water. Students share the importance of wetlands with their community by painting a stone and placing it along a trail in the canyon to communicate the importance of the ecosystem and their love of the wetlands. Students meet and talk with science leaders who share their career pathways, challenges, and obstacles they have faced along the way. Collectively, these experiences build students’ belief that science is important and relevant, that a career in science is a possibility for them, and that they can make a difference in the world.

Throughout the program, students love becoming wetland biologists, exploring the outdoors, using scientific tools, getting to know real science leaders, and making a difference in the world!

NGSS Alignment: 

Cross Cutting Concept: 

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

Classroom Media:
Wetland Video
2nd Grade Community Building PowerPoint

• Adams Elementary
• Central Elementary
• Cherokee Point Elementary
• Edison Elementary
• Euclid Elementary
• Franklin Elementary
• Hamilton Elementary
• Joyner Elementary
• Normal Heights Elementary
• Rosa Parks Elementary
• Rowan Elementary

• Wetland Information
  • What is a wetland? (NOAA National Ocean Service)
  • Coastal Wetlands (Monterey Bay Aquarium)
• Lesson Plans and Activities
  • Strange Animals and Engineering (Fleet Science Center)
    • Summary: Introduction to the diversity of life, using a picture book, informational text, and literacy activities. Lesson plan is best done over a week to encourage reflection, critical thinking, and accessing and building on prior knowledge.
      • Lesson Plan
      • Worksheet – Animal Armor
      • Worksheet – Animal Classifications
      • Animal Classification Cards
      • Worksheet – Egg Helmet
• Science Careers
  • Skype a Scientist