Education Programs

Sensational Seasons *
Students will learn about the four seasons and the weather that occurs throughout. We'll also discuss how animals and plants deal with the changing seasons.

Growing Up Wild
Students will learn how different animals grow and change throughout their life cycle.

First Grade

Eye on the Sky
Students will gain an understanding of the features and patterns of the sun and moon. Students will also have the opportunity to safely view the sun using one of our Sunspotter scopes (weather permitting).

The Tiny Seed
Students are introduced to the life cycle of a plant through an interactive story. They will also plant their own seeds to take back to the classroom (as well as a planting journal) for continued study.

Second Grade

Weather Watcher *
Students will become weather watchers and learn how to identify different weather conditions. They will also make a "weather window" for use in identifying clouds.

Extinction is Forever
Students will learn about the needs and characteristics of animals as they study endangered and threatened species of South Carolina. After classifying these species, students will graph the results and determine what steps can be taken to slow the extinction rate.

Third Grade

Birds and Worms
Students learn about characteristics and adaptations as they pretend to be birds in search of "worms" in this physically involved outdoor activity.

Fossil Discovery
Students will learn about and examine different types of fossils as well as gain an understanding of how they are formed. They will also have the opportunity to make their own fossil or fossil rubbing to take home.

Fourth Grade

How Many is Too Many? *
Students portray black bears while looking for one or more components needed to survive in their distinct environment. They will learn about limited resources and carrying capacity during this physically involved activity.

Fifth Grade

Ecosystem Investigation
Students examine various characteristics of the environment including sunlight, soil moisture, temperature, wind, plants and animals. They'll look for producers and consumers; predator and prey and then, put it all together to draw conclusions about how nonliving characteristics influence the living elements in an ecosystem.

Sixth Grade

Treemendous Trees *
Using "tree cookies", students will examine a cross section of a tree trunk to learn the parts of a tree and the resources need-ed to help it grow.

Wonders of Wildlife *
Using a variety of live animals common to SC, we'll teach your students about different animal adaptations and structures and how each species uses those features to survive in their individual habitats.

Seventh Grade

Healthy People/Healthy Habitats *
Students examine the connection a healthy environment has to human health. Students will conduct their own experiment which demonstrates how quickly and easily diseases can spread through wildlife and human populations.

Eighth Grade

Earth's History *
Using fossil molds and the geo-logic time scale, students will examine the diversity of life forms that have inhabited Earth throughout time.

Water Quality Assessment
2 hours - up to 30 students
Students will use scientific monitoring devices to perform a chemical analysis of the Lynches River including temperature, pH, phosphates/nitrate levels, and dissolved oxygen levels to determine overall water quality.

Bring the EDC to your classroom with this one-hour program for all grade levels. This program features live reptile species common to SC and teaches your students about the role and importance of reptiles in the ecosystem (only available to schools within Florence County during the months of November, December, January and February).