Third Grade

Time: 45 minutes

Learn about saltwater and freshwater features, along with land features while practicing your mapping skills. How do humans influence and affect our water and land features? We will learn after we analyze the jumbo class map we have created.

• Topics Covered: Saltwater and Freshwater Features
• Science/Social Science Standards: 3.S.1, 3.E.4, 3.P.2
• Live Animals: Yes
• Cost: Free

Time: 45 minutes 
This program uses a salt marsh as an example of the interconnectedness of aquatic ecosystems.  A hands-on WEC activity allows students to create a salt marsh food chain that reinforces important concepts such as producers, consumers, carnivores, herbivores, omnivores, and food webs. 

• Topics Covered: Food Chains, Salt Marsh Ecosystems, Watershed Pollution 
• Science/Social Science Standards: 3.S.1, 3.L.5 
• Live Animals: Yes
• Cost: Free

Time: 45 minutes 
This presentation focuses on the consequences of habitat destruction, paying special attention to South Carolina habitats.  Through building a variety of habitats, students will investigate how different environments meet the habitat needs of a variety of South Carolina organisms. 

• Topics Covered: SC Regions, State Animals and Habitats, Watershed Pollution 
• Science/Social Science Standards: 3.S.1, 3.L.5 Soc Sci 3-1.1 
• Live Animals: Yes 
• Cost: Free

Time: 45 minutes 
Students use the Enviroscape Wetland Model to see first hand how pollution and flooding can occur after unplanned development.  They also explore the functions and values of ecological restoration and reconstruction of wetlands. Students brainstorm ideas and experiment with different ways to prevent conditions that negatively impact wetlands.

• Topics Covered: Wetlands, unplanned development,  pollution, natural events, and human impact on the environment.
• Science/Social Studies Standards: 3.S.1 and 3.E.4
• Live Animals: No 
• Cost: Free

Time: 45 minutes 
While experimenting, students discover that heat moves from one object to another through direct contact in some materials (conductors) and not so easily through others (insulators). Students will continue to identify sources of heat and different ways that heat can be produced. 

• Topics Covered: Forms of Matter, Conductors and Insulators, Sources of Heat and Heat Production 
• Science/Social Science Standards: 3.S.1, 3.P.2 
• Live Animals: No 
• Cost: Free

Time: 45 minutes 
Hands-on math at its best! Students will work in teams to solve a story problem using both count and measure, and then reinforce their understanding with a base ten counting device. They will also read a linear scale, collect data and make a graph…all while having a great time! 

• Topics Covered: Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Number and Operations in Base Ten, Measurement, Data, and Geometry 
• Math Standards: 3.ATO.1, 3.ATO.8, 3.ATO.9, 3.NSBT.1, 3MDA.2, 3.MDA.3, 3.G.1 
• Live Animals: No 
• Cost: Free

Time: 45 minutes 
Rocks, minerals, soil…oh, my! In this program, the students learn about the rock cycle and the different types of rocks as well as soil layers and what makes up the soil beneath our feet, and even participate in an experiment to determine different soil types. We also discuss earth’s features and both slow and rapid changes to the surface. 

• Topics Covered: Rocks, Minerals, Rock Cycle, Soil formation, Role of Water in Erosion, Soil as a Water Pollutant   
• Science/Social Science Standards: 3.S.1, 3.E.4, 3.L.5 
• Live Animals: Yes 
• Cost: $1/Student

Time: 45 minutes 
Students get a chance to become paleontologists in this program. First we discuss the different types of fossils and how they are formed and then each student gets to sift fossil soil to find and then identify their own fossils. From these fossils, we can tell what the earth was like during their formation. 

• Topics Covered: Fossils, Paleontology 
• Science/Social Science Standards: 3.S.1, 3.L.5 
• Live Animals: No 
• Cost: $1/Student

Time: 45 minutes 
Critters from the Watershed Ecology Center come to the school to help students better understand the physical and behavioral adaptations they have to help them survive in their habitats. We also discuss habitat components and how changes to the habitat affect animal populations. 

• Topics Covered: Adaptations, Habitats, Food Chain 
• Science/Social Science Standards: 3.S.1, 3.L.5 
• Live Animals: Yes 
• Cost: $1/Student