The Agency of Natural Resources will partner with the Agency of Education to host Science on the Green again this fall. The event will be in late September at the Montpelier Recreation Fields.
- WHAT: Science on the Green 2020
- WHEN: Exact date will be late September 2020
- WHERE: Montpelier Recreation Fields, Montpelier VT
- WHO: Open to 6-8th grade teachers and students
Science on the Green allows students to explore science, the environment and the actions we can all take to protect our planet. The event will provide hands-on opportunities for students to engage in environmental science and learn how science plays a critical role in environmental protection. The workshops will be led by Agency staff and specifically designed to empower young people to be stewards of the environment by taking environmental action in their schools and local communities.
Teachers can choose a track best aligns with their units of study and best fits student interests. All activities are linked to the Next Generation Science Standards. Workshops are listed below.
For more information, contact Rebecca Roy at Rebecca.Roy@vermont.gov.
* Download the full workshop list and course descriptions *
Workshop List & Course Descriptions
Five Science Tracks:
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Water Biodiversity |
Earth's Surface Systems |
Habitat & Vermont Ecosystems |
Conservation |
Meet a Professional |
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Water Quality? Ask the Bugs!
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The Incredible Journey
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Day in the Life of a Forester
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What’s Your Water Footprint
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Game Warden Dog Demonstration
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Let’s Go Fishing
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The Importance of Dirt
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Tree Identification
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Recycle Rally and the 3Rs
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Wildlife tracking
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Hands-on Hatchery Truck
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Shoreline Erosion
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Invasive Plants and Insects
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Interactive River Demonstration |
Trail Building
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Water Biodiversity
Water Quality? Ask the Bugs!
Students will conduct a simulated stream bioassessment and view live bug specimens.
Phenomena can address standards: MS-LS2-3, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5
Lead scientists: Lindsay Miller and Laura Dlugolecki
Let’s Go Fishing
Students will learn about fishing regulations, fish identification and how to cast in a fun, hands-on way.
Phenomena can address standards: MS-ETS1-1, MS-LS4-3
Lead biologist: Corey Hart
Hands-on Hatchery Truck
Hop aboard one of Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s fish hatchery trucks, see some of the live fish on board, and learn the science behind how we raise and stock fish in Vermont, what we do to promote fisheries and fishing in Vermont, and why it matters to all Vermonters.
Phenomena can address standards: MS-LS1-4, MS-LS2-1
Lead biologist: Adam Miller
Earth's Surface Systems
The Incredible Journey
An interactive game to simulate the movement of water through the water cycle.
Phenomena can address standards: MS-ESS2-4
Lead scientists: Lindsay Miller and Laura Dlugolecki
The Importance of Dirt
Soil occurs at the interface of the Earth’s rocks, air, and life. It purifies water, forms habitat for organisms, and provides the food we eat. Through playing with dirt, students will discover how soil forms, what it is made of, and why it is important.
Phenomena can address standards: MS-ESS2-2, MS-LS2-5, MS-ESS3-2
Lead scientist: Grahame Bradley
Stabilizing Shorelines
See the shorelines for all their benefits and values in a hands-on activity exploring the impacts of tree loss, erosion, and sedimentation.
Phenomena can address standards: MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS2-6
Lead scientist: Ryan Colarusso
Habitat and Vermont Ecosystems
Day in the Life of a Forester
What do foresters do besides walk in the woods? Explore some of the things foresters do every day including measuring trees, reading maps, and other fun surprises.
Phenomena can address standards: MS-LS2-5, MS-LS1-4
Lead forester: Dan Singleton
Tree Identification
Learn some fun tricks for identifying Vermont’s most common trees with hands-on activities.
Phenomena can address standards: MS-LS1-5
Lead scientist: Rebecca Roy
Invasive Plants and Insects
Through fun games and hands-on exploration learn some cool ways to identify and deal with invasive plants in your community and around your home. // Have you heard about Emerald Ash Borer? Learn about this and other invasive insects and learn how to survey trees in your community and at your school.
Phenomena can address standards: MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-5
Lead ecologists: Ginger Nickerson and Elizabeth Spinney
Conservation
What’s Your Water Footprint
Did you know the average American uses 100 gallons of water a day? In this activity, students will be presented with a pile of 100-gallon jugs and ask to share what they use water for during the day. Students will also participate in the Common Water activity to learn about aquifers in a hands-on relay activity.
Phenomena can address standards: MS-ESS3-3, MS-ESS3-4, MS-LS2-5
Lead scientist: Ashley Lucht
Recycle Rally and the 3Rs
Where does stuff go when you’re done using it? Learn the basics of waste management and compete with classmates to test your knowledge of how to reduce waste and what can be recycled or composted.
Phenomena can address standards: MS-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-3, MS-ESS3-4
Lead scientists: Emma Stuhl and Anne Bijur
Interactive River Demonstration
The river flume model will be used to demonstrate conflicts that occur between managing development, roads, and other infrastructure with rivers, and opportunities for protection and restoration.
Phenomena can address standards: MS-ESS3-2, MS-LS2-5
Lead scientists: Kim Jensen and Staci Pomeroy
Meet a Professional
Game Warden Dog demonstration
Meet Game Warden K9 Moose and see him in action in a quick demo. Followed by a talk about what Game Wardens do.
Phenomena can address standards: MS-ETS1-1
Lead Game Warden: Jenna Reed
Wildlife Tracking
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will be leading the walk. No special skills are necessary for participants – just the curiosity to witness stories wildlife leave behind. From the tracks of a fox catching a ruffed grouse in the to a mouse scurrying along whipping its tail behind, Vermont’s landscape is a great place to discover signs of wildlife.
Phenomena can address standards: (Transferable Skills) Self direction, Responsible and Involved Citizenship, Informed and Integrative thinking, (Crosscutting Concepts) Patterns, Cause and Effect, System and System Models, (Science and Engineering Practices) Analyzing and Interpreting Data, Asking Questions and Defining Problems, and Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information.
Lead scientist: Ali Thomas
Trail Building
Learn the art and science of trail building with hands-on activities.
Phenomena can address standards: MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2
Lead forester: Walter Opuszynski