Elementary Science~~Environmental Education

THANK YOU FIELD INVESTIGATION PARENT VOLUNTEERS!

On behalf of the Hardy teachers, students, and us, your Environmental Aide Coordinators (EAC), we would like to acknowledge and thank the following parents who committed their time and energy to prepare and lead a group of K-3rd grade students on a Fall Field Investigation:

Danielle Aberback,  Kelly Friendly,  Deb Palladino-Olbrys Adam Baldinger, Paco  Galanes, Ashley Ranaldi,  Joanna Bandte, Mark Girouard, Jeff Thomas, Laura Beusch, Matthew Graber, Kay Thompson, Patty Bovie,    Tracie Groeling, Ann Trenk, Cathy Bueker, Ed Jacobs, Kelley Weene, Christine Carpenter, Theresa Keresztes, Laura Wood, Erik Coats, Stephanie Juma, Donhhui Yang-Zhou, Martha Coats, Ying Li, Kelly Zahn, Jennifer Colone, Cathy Lunger,  Rich Zahn, Katie Curley, Elizabeth McDonough, Dingli Zeng, Heidi  DeLollis, Meredith Murphy, Theresa Zhang, Julia Fantasia                           

The Field Investigations are an important link to the classroom science experience and it is part of the science core curriculum. These parent volunteers utilized the Field Investigation resources to help achieve the objectives of the individual lesson plans. In addition, they also reinforced many goals of a science education which have been identified  as encouraging students to realize that they can teach themselves through their own observations and questions and that their ideas have value.  We saw firsthand how the students were inspired to wonder and appreciate nature, to help see connections between their lives and the world around them, and a desire to care for their world.

Our Spring Field Investigations will occur in May! Until then, encourage your children to explore and to discover in their own backyard, on the Wellesley trails and preserves, or wherever they may be.

         Sincerely, Ansley Martin ·  Jeanne Norton  ·  Sarah Phillips -- Hardy Environmental Aide Coordinators

Kindergarten Materials

1st Grade Materials

2nd Grade Materials

3rd Grade Materials

4th Grade Materials

Rationale

By using their school yard children learn to see nature everywhere, not just in a protected conservation area. They develop appreciation and respect for the world around them and for their place in that world. Extending classroom learning into schoolyard explorations and experiences offers valuable learning opportunities for children. Outdoor experiences can enrich and support classroom curriculum by sharpening observations skills, by encouraging children to make connections between classroom activities and the natural world, and by increasing motivation to learn about the work in which they live.

The Wellesley Environmental Science program allows students to apply their classroom environmental science learning to an authentic experience in the outdoors through field investigations. Kindergarten builds the foundation of scientific observations skills and the field investigations help students see change over time as they compare what is happening in the schoolyard from season to season. In grade one the field investigations are directly tied to the Bird unit and students take what they have learned outdoors to observe birds in their natural environment. In grade two the field investigations focus on plant life in the schoolyard. In grade three, the field investigations are a highlight of the Insect unit. Students look for land and aquatic insects in various stages of their life cycle and discuss how they are adapted to eat, move, and live in their specific habitat. The grade four geology field trips generate excitement amongst students as they study the geological formations around Wellesley and learn about their history.

       Click here to read an article about the program.

Learning Goals

While field investigations are linked to classroom science and focused on such topics as plan structure, animal habitats, food chains, or insect life, the main goals for the elementary Environmental Science program are:

• To help children realize that they can teach themselves through their own observations. Their observations, questions and ideas have value.
• To explore and experience first hand natural processes, cycles, and concepts introduced through classroom activities.
• To help children see and understand the connections between their own lives and the world around them.
• To realize that there is much still to be discovered, and a great deal that scientists don't know. Asking questions, observing, and sharing ideas with others are all important ways to learn.
• To inspire a sense of wonder and appreciation of nature and how nature works, which will then lead to a desire to continue exploring and learning and to further a desire to care for their world.

Environmental Aide Coordinators Responsibilities:

• Recruit grade level and/or classroom coordinators.
• Work with teachers and classroom coordinators to recruit and organize parent volunteers. Provide school based orientation sessions for new parent volunteers.
• Train parent volunteers to run school based field investigations.
• Organize and assist with scheduling of field investigations. Provide expertise on the natural surroundings of their school site.
• Act as the liaison between teachers and parent volunteers.
• Work with the elementary science coordinator to continually improve program.
• Attend environmental aide coordinator meetings, three or four per school year.
• Recruit and train a replacement when needed.

Parent Volunteers Including Classroom Coordinators Responsibilities:

• Classroom coordinators recruit and coordinate parent volunteers for investigations.
• Attend training sessions.
• Supervise and teach students while leading field investigations.
• Coordinate with environmental aide coordinator and teacher.

If you have questions about the program or would like to volunteer, please click here to contact the committee members.