STEP SBA South Carolina
Kindergarten
Program Theme: Good-Natured Detectives
Lab Study: Critter College
Field Study: Green Things
Eco-Hike: Nature Hunt
While on an eco-hike, students will use scientific tools to investigate the world around them. Green Things allows students time to explore hands-on stations that include the needs of plants and the jobs of plant parts. In Critter College, they will travel through 6 stations and learn about local wildlife, their needs, and the ways they change their environment.
Performance Standards: K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3, K-ESS2-2, K-LSS1-1
SEP: Analyze and Interpreting Data
First Grade
Program Theme: Discovering Mother Nature
Lab Study: Mother Nature’s Math
Field Study: Cycling Through Life
Eco-Hike: Adventures with Stickman
Students will discover how living things cycle through life beginning with a scavenger hunt and ending with a collaborative, hands-on sequencing activity to determine the life cycle of a mystery organism. Mother Nature’s Math will take math to a whole new kinesthetic level while using items found in nature to figure out 1st-grade math concepts. They will go on an adventurous hike with Stickman and make some great observations of the world around them!
Performance Standards: 1-LS3-1, 1. ATO.6,1.MDA.1, 1.MDA.2, 1.MDA.4,
SEP: Obtain, Evaluate, and Communicate Information, Construct Explanations and Designing Solutions
Second Grade
Program Theme: Learning about Life and Land
Lab Study: Our Leafy Friends
Field Study: Gettin’ Down and Dirty
Eco-Hike: Nature Hunt
Students will learn how animals help aid in seed dispersal of plants as they travel through 6 hands-on stations in Our Leafy Friends. Getting’ Down and Dirty will allow students to investigate erosion by water and come up with some solutions to the problem through hands-on, stream table activities. During an eco-hike, students will use some scientific tools to observe the world around them!
Performance Standards: 2-LS4-1, 2-LS2-2, 2-ESS2-1, 2-ESS2-2
SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations, Construct Explanations and Designing Solutions, Developing and Using Models
Third Grade
Program Theme: Survivor!
Lab Study: Critter College
Field Study: Bird Beak Buffet (Game)
Eco-Hike: Some Assembly Required
Through a game of survival, students will answer real-life questions about how different species adapt to environmental changes. They will go to Critter College and learn the habitats, characteristics, and traits of some of the local wildlife. On an eco-hike, the students will learn about the restoration of the Long-leaf Pine in the efforts to save some of our native species.
Performance Standards: 3-LS4-1, 3-LS4-2, 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-4, 3-LS1-1, 3-LS2-1
SEP: Engaging in Argument from Evidence, Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Fourth Grade
Program Theme: Dazzling Diversity
Lab Study: Insect Olympics
Field Study: Safari Sleuth
Eco-Hike: It Ain’t Easy Being Green
Insect Olympics will get the students up and moving to see if they can beat the ninja skills of insects, all the while learning about the amazing characteristics and skills of the insect world. By picking up clues along their “hunt” along with using their observation and research skills, students will determine what animal they are tracking. On the hike, the students will learn about plant characteristics that function to protect, reproduce, and grow.
Performance Standards: 4-LS1-1, 4-LS4-2
SEP: Engaging in Argument from Evidence, Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information, Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Fifth Grade
Program Theme: Web of Life
Lab Study: Critter College
Field Study: We All Live Downstream
Eco-Hike: Eco-Venture
During Critter College, students will investigate our local wildlife through taxidermy models, exploring adaptations, habitats, and niches. In We All Live Downstream, students will create their own watershed and find out how water quality can be impacted by our daily lives. On a hike, the students will use scientific tools to discover real-life examples of 5th-grade ecological concepts.
Performance Standards: 5-PS3-1, 5-LS2-1
SEP: Developing and Using Models
Sixth Grade
Program Theme: Water, Water, Everywhere
Lab Study: Water Dance
Field Study: Stream Table Geoscience
Eco-hike: Some Assembly Required
Students will be immersed in a simulation game as they move through the hydrologic cycle. Students will use stream tables to model and delve deeper into geological processes. On a hike, students will observe the local ecosystem and learn about the wonders around them.
Performance Standards: 6-ESS2-4, 6-ESS2-2
SEP: Developing and Using Models; Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Seventh Grade
Program Theme: The Sparrow and the Woodpecker
Lab Study: Critter College
Field Study: Survivor
Eco-Hike: Forest Assessment
The students will investigate our local wildlife by delving into their characteristics, habitat, and food webs. Through a game of survival, students will begin to answer real-life questions about how different species are able to adapt to environmental changes. Finally, students will collect data as they hike to determine aspects of 2 different forests and learn how their differences can mean life or death for species in decline.
Performance Standards: 7-ESS3-3, 7-LS2-1, 7-LS2-2, 7-LS2-4
SEP: Analyzing and Interpreting Data, Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Program Theme: Wet World (2 groups or 50 students per day)
Lab Study: Watersheds
Field Study: Pondering Life
On our blue planet, humans play a vital role in the protection and preservation of our watery resources. Students will learn more about these effects through experimenting with human behaviors that influences the location, quality and quantity of water within a watershed. Biological analysis will reveal the water quality of a local pond. Students will collect and identify macroinvertebrates, using them as a bioindicator of the pond’s health.
Performance Standards: 7-ESS3-3, 7-ESS3-4
SEP: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information, Analyzing and Interpreting Data, Developing and Using Models
Eight Grade
Program Theme: Hunger Games
Lab Study: Critter College
Field Study: Bird Beak Bonanza
Eco-Hike: Pieces of a Puzzle
Through observation of taxidermy models, students will discover how biological characteristics help species survive. Through a game of survival, students will begin to answer real-life questions about how different species are able to adapt in times of a natural disaster. On a hike, students will find real-life examples of how environmental factors have influenced the diversity and growth of organisms.
Performance Standards: 8-LS1-4, 8-LS1-5, 8LS4-4, 8-LS4-6
SEP: Developing and Using Models, Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information, Engaging in Argument from Evidence
High School
Program Theme: It's a Tough World!
Lab Study: Critter Taxidermy
Field Study: Bird Beak Buffet
Eco-Hike: Some Assembly Required
Through a game of survival, students will begin to answer real-life questions about how different species are able to adapt to a natural disaster. Through interaction with taxidermy animals, students will investigate characteristics that allow for survival of the individual and the stability of the species. Finally, students will go on a hike to experience real-life examples of a unique and diverse ecosystem.
Performance Standards: B-LS4-3, B-LS4-4, B-LS4-5, B-LS2-6, B-LS2-4, B-LS2-8
SEP: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information, Engaging in Argument from Evidence, Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Program Theme: Wet World (2 groups or 50 students per day)
Lab Study: We All Live Downstream (Advanced)
Field Study: Pondering Life (Advanced)
On our blue planet, humans play a vital role in protecting and preserving our watery resources. Students will learn more about these effects by experimenting with human behaviors that influence water's location, quality, and quantity within a watershed. Biological analysis will reveal the quality of a local pond.
Performance Standards: B-LS2-7, B-LS2-2, B-LS2-1
SEP: Developing and Using Models, Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information, Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions