Preschool - 1st grade Programs
The Shape of Things W,
C, WEC
The program will begin in the classroom with the construction of "shape necklaces".
At WEC, students will use their eyes to focus on many shapes that are found
in nature. A "shape dance" will conclude the program.
Meets WI's EE Standards: A.4.1, A.4.4
Meets IL's Science Standards: 12.A.1b, 13.A.1c
To Be a Tree W,
C, WEC-opt.
As students pretend to be a tree, they gain awareness of a tree's structure
and functions. Music and a story will take the students on a journey as a tree
grows from a seed to a grand tree.
Meets WI's EE Standards: A.4.1, A.4.2, A.4.4
Meets IL's Science Standards: 12.A.1a, 12.A.1b
Trees as Habitats W,C
Animals and plants depend on trees for habitat. Students will create their very
own habitat as they explore the importance of trees. A movement story will teach
about the critters that depend on trees for their habitat.
Meets WI's EE Standards: A.4.1, A.4.2, A.4.3, A.4.4
Meets IL's Science Standards: 12.A.1a, 12.A.1b
W
= Program suitable for winter, C = Welty staff come to the
classroom, WEC = Program held at Welty Environmental Center
2nd-4th grade Programs
Producers and Consumers C,
WEC
Find out how food chains are created by producers and consumers. At the WEC, students
will see food webs in action as they search the park for producers and consumers.
Meets WI's EE Standards: A.4.4, B.4.1
Meets IL's Science Standards: 12.B.1a, 12.B.1b, 12.B.2a, 12.B.2b
Insect Diversity C, WEC
Insects are found everywhere! Students will learn this and more before heading
out to the field. At the WEC, students will become insect detectives as they hunt
for an insect to examine. Upon close inspection of the insect, students will discover
the diversity of insects and the habitats in which they were found.
Meets WI's EE Standards: A.4.1, A.4.2, B.4.6
Meets IL's Science Standards: 11.A.1a, 11.A.1d, 11.A.1f, 12.A.1a, 12.A.1b, 12.B.1a,
12.B.1b, 13.A.1a, 13.A.1c
Habitats of Wisconsin C, WEC
From prairies to marshes and lakes to forests, Wisconsin is home to a variety
of habitats. Plants and animals inhabit these habitats. The habitats vary, but
the plants and animals that reside in them have the same four requirements; space,
shelter, food, and water. At the Beckman Mill County Park, students will explore
the park's natural habitats and search for the plants and animals found in them.
Meets WI's EE Standards: B.4.4, B.4.5, B.4.6
Exploring Trees Inside and Out
C, WEC
How does a tree grow and flourish? Students become a living tree as they learn
about its form and function. The fun continues at the WEC as students explore
trees through their sense of touch. A tree hike will end the day's activities.
Meets WI's EE Standards: B.4.1, B.4.2, B.4.8
Meets IL's Science Standards: 12.A.1a, 12.A.1b, 12.A.2a, 12.A.2b, 12.B.1a, 12.B.1b,
12.B.2a, 12.B.2b
Communities of the Wild
W,C, WEC
Exploration of students' communities will be conducted in the classroom. At the
WEC, the exploration will focus on communities of the wild. While hiking the forest,
students will learn about the inner workings of a wild community. After the hike,
students will design their own wild communities and compare them to their own
communities.
Meets WI's EE Standards: A.4.1, A.4.2, A.4.3, B.4.1, B.4.5, B.4.6, B.4.10
Meets IL's Science Standards: 12.B.1a, 12.B.1b, 12.B.2a, 12.B.2b
Natural Resources W,C,
WEC
The earth has provided us with a variety of natural resources. We use these natural
resources in our everyday lives. Students will investigate what natural resources
they use on a daily basis and determine if they are renewable or non-renewable
resources.
Meets WI's EE Standards: B.4.8, B.4.9, B.4.10, B.4.11, B.4.12
Meets IL's Science Standards: 12.E.1c, 12.E.2c
W
= Program suitable for winter, C = Welty staff come to the
classroom, WEC = Program held at Welty Environmental Center
5th-8th grade Programs
Garlic Mustard Warriors C,
WEC
HELP! Exotic species are taking over the WEC. Help is needed to fight the war
against garlic mustard. In the classroom, students will define the difference
between native and exotic plants. They will also learn how exotic plants harm
our natural areas. At the WEC, they will see the invasion of exotic species into
the Beckman Mill County Park. Students will become warriors and design strategies
to combat garlic mustard. Their strategies will be tested when they are sent out
into the field to combat garlic mustard.
Meets WI's EE Standards: B.8.3, B.8.5, B.8.10, C.8.1, C.8.3, D.8.1, D.8.2, D.8.3,
D.8.4, D.8.5, D.8.6, D.8.7
Meets IL's Science Standards: 13.B.4d
The Water in Our Lives C,
WEC
Hands-on experiments introducing the concepts of transpiration, evaporation, precipitation,
and condensation will illustrate the water cycle. At the WEC, students will monitor
a stream by measuring the stream velocity, oxygen content, the pH level, and identify
macroinvertebrates.
Meets WI's EE Standards: A.8.1, A.8.2, A.8.4, B.8.5, B.8.10, B.8.15, B.8.16, B.8.17,
B.8.18, D.8.1
Meets IL's Science Standards: 11.A.2a, 11.A.2b, 11.A.2d, 11.B.2a, 11.B.2b, 11.A.3c,
11.A.3f, 12.E.2a, 13.A.2a, 13.A.2b, 13.A.2c, 13.B.2f, 13.A.3a
Birds
of Wisconsin W,C, WEC-opt.
Carl Welty spent his life enjoying and teaching about birds. In this program,
students will take a closer look at what makes a bird a bird and how birds vary.
Hands-on experiments will show students how birds have specialized beaks and feet
that they use to complete everyday tasks. A bird watching hike at the WEC is optional.
Meets WI's EE Standards: A.8.3, A.8.4, A.8.5, B.8.3, C.8.2
Meets IL's Science Standards: 11.A.2b, 11.A.2c, 11.A.2d, 11.A.2e, 11.A.3c, 11.A.3d,
11.A.3f, 11.A.3g, 12.A.2a, 12.A.2b, 12.B,2a, 12.B.2b
River of Words W,
C, WEC
Nature is expressed through words and sketches. Students' writing and observational
skills are enhanced while observing nature and keeping a journal. Students may
enter their writings or artwork in the national River of Words contest.
Meets WI's EE Standards: C.8.2
Meets IL's Science Standards: 11.A.2b
Garbage W,C
Every day, trash bins are filled up with garbage. An investigation into what exactly
is being are thrown away will be conducted. Students compare product packaging
of different items. They will design simpler packaging methods for various products.
This is a great program to combine with the worm bin loaner program.
Meets WI's EE Standards: B.8.15, B.8.18, B.8.19, B.8.20, B.8.21, D.8.6, E.8.2
Meets IL's Science Standards: 11.A.2, 11.A.2b, 12.E.2c, 13.B.2d, 13.B.3f
W
= Program suitable for winter, C = Welty staff come to the
classroom, WEC = Program held at Welty Environmental Center
Special Programs for All Grades
Nature Scavenger Hunt W,
C, WEC
First, students will prepare a scavenger hunt notebook to be used during the hunt.
At the WEC, students will hunt for a variety of nature items. The list of items
and difficulty of the hunt will vary depending on season and grade level. Themed
scavenger hunts are also available.
Nature and Culture of Nicaragua
W, C
Nicaragua, the largest country of Central America, is known as the land of lakes
and volcanoes. A recent Returned Peace Corps Volunteer will present a special
program about Nicaragua, its people, and its environment. Students will learn
how Nicaraguans value their environment differently than how we value ours.
Meets WI's EE Standards: B.8.9, B.8.10, B.8.12, B.8.15
Meets IL's Science Standards: 13.B.1d, 13.B.2c
Worms Eat Your Garbage W,
C
WEC lends out worm composting bins to classrooms. The worms will be the teachers
by showing the students how they transform newspaper and food wastes into nutrient
filled compost. An introduction to the worm bin program will explain how to set-up
the worm bin, maintain it, and the benefits of the worm bin. The book "Worms Eat
Our Garbage" will be loaned to the teacher. This book has a variety of interdisciplinary
activities involving the worms and worm bin. Worm bins are loaned out for approximately
four months. This may vary according to interest of teacher and/or students. A
limited amount of worm bins are available, so reserve yours today! This activity
can be altered to meet various academic standards of all grade levels!
W
= Program suitable for winter, C = Welty staff come to the
classroom, WEC = Program held at Welty Environmental Center
LEAF
- Learning Experiences and Activities in Forestry
WEC is a LEAF (Learning, Experiences,
and Activities in Forestry) environmental center, offering all K-12 LEAF
field lessons. Contact WEC for a complete list of available programs. WEC will
lead the programs at your school, school forest, or WEC. It's your choice. Example
field lessons include: Sensing the Forest (K-1), I Can Be a Forester (2-3),
Caring for the Future of Forests (4), Studying Forest Layers (5-6), and Tree
Identification (7-8).
For
more information, contact
Tanya Zastrow, Program Director
608-361-1377
info@weltycenter.org
Welty
Environmental Center
8606 County Road H
Beloit, Wisconsin 53511
