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Inspire young people connect with the environment through hands-on, multidisciplinary
activities for all grades, settings and subject levels

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  • preschool
  • k-2
Activity
plant seeding growing step. concept agriculture

Here We Grow Again

A plant is a biological system that needs sunlight, water, air, nutrients, and space in order to survive and thrive. Students conduct inquiry-based experiments to explore these essential plant requirements.

Activity
Dandelion with seeds blowing away in the wind across a clear blue sky with copy space

Have Seeds, Will Travel

A plant is a biological system containing processes and components that enable it to grow and reproduce. By observing, collecting, and classifying seeds, students examine one aspect of a plant’s reproductive system.

Activity
plant seeding growing step with sunlight with vintage tone filter

Did You Notice?

Students observe differences over time to learn that change in the environment can occur quickly, slowly, or not at all.

Activity
blossoming young green leaves in drops of a spring rain on branches of a plum tree

Bursting Buds

In early spring, many trees sprout bright green leaves. Where do the leaves come from? How do they form? Students investigate these questions by observing tree buds throughout the year.

Activity
Willow ptarmigan are masters of winter camouflage.

Birds and Bugs

Camouflage is an essential survival strategy in the natural world. Students discover the value of protective coloration as they pretend to be birds in search of colored bugs.

Activity
Elementary age boy uses magnifying glass to discover nature. This curious, student explorer excitedly investigates a butterfly, which has landed on a plant. They child is of Asian or Latin descent. Science, education themes.

Backyard Naturalist

Every organism needs food, water, shelter, and space. A place that meets all these needs is called a habitat. Students will explore a nearby habitat—their backyard, schoolyard, or other outdoor setting—to look for signs of animals living there.

Activity
Oak tree branch acorn nut as beautiful autumn season background, selective focus

A Tree’s Life

Students discover that trees have life stages that are similar to those of other living things. They discuss a tree’s role in the ecosystem at each stage of its life.

Learn About Forests

Learn About Forests: Nature’s Skyscrapers

This Learn About Forest activity is perfect for forest sector professionals leading educational events, career days, or field visits with youth. Using simple tools, learners calculate the height of a tree and find out why foresters measure trees.

Activity
Middle Asia and thousands Milky Way stars. Small part of Earth disk furnished by NASA/JPL ( http://visibleearth.nasa.gov ), stars and everything else are my astronomy work.

Discover Diversity

Students imagine that they are visitors from outer space, viewing life on Earth for the first time. By describing in minute detail all the life they find in a small plot of land, they will become more aware of the diversity and abundance of life.

Activity
Photo of colorful drawing: Autumn landscape, trees with yellow, orange and red leaves

The Closer You Look

Even though students may be very familiar with trees, they may not have thought much about the actual structure of a tree. In this activity, your students will go outdoors or view pictures to take a closer look at trees and their parts.

K-2
Activity
View through tree trunks of a birch forest in autumn or fall with vibrant yellow leaves showing the changing seasons

Peppermint Beetle

Students explore their sense of smell and discover why smell is important to animals, including beetles and humans.

Family Activity
taking a photo of a tree with a smartphone

Family Activity: Name That Tree

Download one of these free mobile apps to make identifying trees and the products they give us fun and educational for children and teens!

Activity
close up of crayons and paper with a few tree leaves

Three Cheers for Trees

Each day trees provide many benefits for all people. Through these experiences, children explore the many products and benefits that trees provide.

Activity
close up of crayons and paper with a few tree leaves

Trees as Habitats

Children discover how plants and animals depend on trees by taking a walk, acting out a story, and investigating tree parts.

Activity
close up of crayons and paper with a few tree leaves

To Be A Tree

Trees are a lot like people—with limbs, trunks, and skin. Through these experiences, children make a tree costume and explore the parts of a tree.