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Home > Children's
programs > Environmental
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Field
Trip Planning > The
Field Trips
The Field Trips
Unless otherwise indicated, all programs are 1.5 hour long field
experiences and will be modified to accommodate from fourth through
eighth grade levels. Each theme listed below has several program
offerings. Please choose one to explore!
The Study of Plants
Plant
Growth and Development for grades 4 & 5
Depending on the season, students learn about life cycles of plants
as they develop from flower to fruit (pollination, transpiration,
and photosynthesis explored through experiments and interactive
methods) and/or examine seed production and dispersal, photosynthesis
/leaf color change and decomposition, evergreens adaptive qualities,
and formulate hypotheses regarding the potential success rate of
various plants and trees, as determined by their method of seed
dispersal.
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Painted Lady Butterfly
on Joe-Pye Weed
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Pollination
Students
will engage in exploration and investigation through simulation
games and hands on activities to learn about plant reproduction,
the importance of pollinators and the flowers to which they are
attracted. Students will
identify basic anatomy of a flower, and discuss the benefits
of using Best Management Practices in place of pesticides for
the preservation and protection pollinators.
The
Study of Native Plants and People
Using
field guides and exploring the various habitats at the Arboretum,
students identify native plants through observation of plant
parts and ecosystem parameters. Activities will focus on
the historical relevance of the plants (their importance to the
Eastern Shore Native peoples – learning how native plants
were used) as well as current threats and issues associated with
land use practices and society’s overall lack of appreciation
and understanding of native plant communities. Role playing,
students become a plant detective to find a medicinal or industrial
use of local plants and dabble in ethnobotany.
The
Green Machine
Plants and trees are amazing! Working
in teams, students will learn about plant life cycles, plant
anatomy, photosynthesis, transpiration, and woodland soils. From
a cross section of a tree, students will discover how a tree
transports food, water, and nutrients…and will be challenged
to create a “human tree.” Additionally, students
will learn how the “green machine” continues to
promote life, healthy soils and habitat even as it decomposes. A
short scavenger hunt will introduce students to the diversity
of trees in the Arboretum.
 The
Dynamic Duo: A Tree and Its' Forest Community
Older
children will be able to associate themselves easily to the unique
oddities, life style, and role (yes, a contributing, valuable role)
each tree has in the forest community and beyond. The changing "stages" of
a forest and the maturation of each stage creates a dynamic, healthy
forest environment for all members of its' community. As students
venture into the Arboretum woodlands, each will have the opportunity
to surround themselves with a living lesson on the proper method
of identifying common trees of Maryland. Students will learn how
to examine key features and to utilize several identification resources,
including an energetic introduction to the use of dichotomous keys.
Children will enjoy learning through exploration processes, discussion,
and activities that promote eager participation.
The Study of Ecosystems
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Meadow in Fall |
Introduction
to a Healthy Environment
We are a health conscious society – good
at picking out the signs which tell us about our health – but
how are we are at seeing them in the environment? Beyond
the obvious signs of environmental degradation are more subtle
and easily overlooked signs. Additionally,
nature sometimes thrives in the most surprising places. As
constantly degraded environments are quickly becoming the norm,
how will students discriminate between a healthy and an unhealthy
environment? Like a doctor’s
tools to assess our health, we have tools to assess environmental
health. Learn to identify the signs of a healthy environment. Key
concepts include biodiversity, biological indicators, successional
change, and nutrient recycling.
“Bill’s” Oasis: Birds that need
the Arboretum – for grades 4 & 5
Did you know that you can tell what a bird eats by looking at
the shape of its bill? Or that Maryland’s Eastern Shore
is an OASIS? Using human tools, classify which beak adaptations
help different birds to feed on their specific foods and how beaks
and food are linked to where a bird needs to live. Students examine
the native plant habitats of to learn why it is a major stop in
the Atlantic Flyway during the annual migration of birds in the
Western hemisphere (the Native landscapes have provided migratory
birds their essentials for survival for ages). Then, using binoculars,
field guides, and a site map become an avian detective to determine
which birds are adapted for life at the Arboretum, and learn what
their presence tells us about biodiversity and environmental health. Students
will also engage in role play activities that have them approach
current land use issues from several perspectives for an overall
grasp of land use impacts on migration and learn how they can be
stewards of biodiversity for birds in their neighborhoods and on
their school grounds.
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Young Orchard Orioles in
a nest near
the Arboretum wetland |
Wetland Ecology
“Wetlands
are powerful places in which to learn.” Wetlands have been
the subject of debate for many years. Some consider them “wastelands”,
others see them as one of the most important of habitats on the
planet. The functions and values of wetlands are many.
And though easy to determine, are often difficult to quantify. Students
will use the natural and constructed wetlands
at the Arboretum to evaluate for those functions for which wetlands
are most valued: filtration, flood control, water retention and
slow release, storage runoff, and vital habitat. Students
will also learn characteristics of wetlands, including soils,
aquatic plant and animal life .
Watershed
Take a
closer look at the many dimensions of our watersheds. Beyond
the cultural, ecological, political, and recreational aspects
of the Chesapeake Bay are thousands of local waterways, all impacted
by humans and the landscape, and in turn impacting humans and
the landscape. Examine the physical,
chemical and biological parameters of the waterways which meander
through the Arboretum. Trace our connection to and dependency
on our watersheds and learn, hopefully, never to take a glass of
water for granted again.
Flight of the Dragonfly
 Dragonfly
babies live underwater...they prey on tadpoles...they live on
slimy leaves?! Yes. Really. Students will be introduced
to, and amazed by, the underwater life found in a freshwater,
woodland stream. Aquatic freshwater invertebrates provide a vital
tool for assessing the water quality and health of a stream.
They are "indicator
species". Students will discover what this means as they
wade in ankle-deep water to explore under rocks, between wet
leaves, and everywhere else to find a stream's hidden, living,
and fascinating interdependent community of aquatic invertebrates.
Each child will have the opportunity to use fun sampling and
observation equipment as they gain a better understanding of
the important role the forest trees play upon the health of the
stream.
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Stream Detectives |
Stream Detectives –for
grades 7 & 8.
Students will be introduced to the field testing equipment
and methods required to evaluate and determine the overall
health of a freshwater, woodland stream. Within cooperative
teams, each student will have the opportunity to use measuring,
sampling, and water quality testing equipment to conduct a
physical, biological, and chemical assessment of the stream.
Hands-on and feet-wet fun and discovery include an introduction
to such skills as measuring the flow, width, and depth of the
stream; map use; collection and identification of aquatic invertebrates;
and testing for chemical parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen,
nitrates, etc. Class
is 2.0 hrs.
Student Safe! No hazardous testing chemicals used.
Studying People and the Land
This
Land is Your Land. This Land is My Land
Each
one of us has different ideas about the land we live on -- using,
managing, protecting, maintaining, and enjoying it. In
this field study session, students are assigned an acre of land. They
will identify and classify the biotic and abiotic features of
it, sketch maps of their acre, and use scientific instruments
to critically examine temperature, vegetative cover, drainage,
topography and soil type to define and explain their hand-drawn
maps. Combining their interpretation of the land with the
known history of it, students will extrapolate from the story
of the land to predict potential future succession and use of
the land. Students will then assume the roles of individual
landowner, government official, conservation organization, recreation
enthusiast, developer and historian and must identify and assess
the land’s functions and values, and find solution to the
dilemmas associated in managing it. In an attempt to find
balance in managing their acre, students form management teams
and are challenged to create sound management plans. Students
will be acquainted with the status of various habitats in Maryland
(and particularly on the Eastern Shore), and will become familiarized
with some of their critical values and benefits. This
field trip is 2.5 hours in length.
 Field
Sketching
Field sketching is a very rewarding
experience. It brings together the learning and awareness
of natural surroundings and the ever-developing skills of drawing. Field
sketching can be used for scientific research and identification
purposed or for the simple enjoyment of being outdoors, relaxing,
and developing a sense of awareness. Students will make
sketches descriptive enough to help students identify the plant
in field guides later. Much writing goes with the sketching…it
is a visual memory captured on paper. This program is full
of exploration of the natural environment, fresh air, and discoveries
through observation. “The art of field sketching
does not require the success of drawing, but rather the experience
and enjoyment of the drawing.” (C.W. Leslie)
Keeping a Field Journal
Students
will learn the difference between a field sketchbook and a journal
sketchbook: a journal is kept in sequence over a period of time
and may include personal feelings on one’s observations. It
is a study of natural history; nature is your subject of learning. After
creating their own sketchbooks for journaling, the children will
participate in several fun exercises that prepare them to keep
accurate field journals. They will learn to record precise
information in their journal accompanying their sketches: date,
location, time, weather, etc. This program is a great introduction
to the skills necessary in many of the sciences, as required
in higher education: close observations over a period of time,
note-taking, dedication, resource research, as well as patience. Students
also, develop the acquired knowledge that although science is
precise, nature and its elements have their own schedule!
Advanced
Biome Investigations
High School and College Classes
High School and
college classes are welcome to use the Arboretum as a data collection/sampling
station for school projects for the price of admission ($3 per
person). Teachers lead these field experiences, using the natural
resources of the Arboretum for real world application of techniques
practiced in the classroom. We
only ask that you share your findings with us. Permission
is required prior to any collecting or sampling. For groups
of up to 30 students.
Techniques in Ecological Research
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College students discover
turtle hatchlings
while planting an Arboretum meadow |
Use
different techniques in research and apply the techniques to
an ecological survey at the Arboretum. Use appropriate instruments
and materials to conduct an investigation of one of the habitats
at Adkins Arboretum. Sample populations of aquatic invertebrates,
water quality, species interactions, etc. Collect,
organize, interpret, calculate, and communicate data collected
in the survey.
Service Learning Opportunities
Adkins
Arboretum offers various opportunities for high school students
for service learning and service projects.
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