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EDUCATION RESOURCES

LESSON PLANS FOR EDUCATORS

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In order to foster a deeper connection between the education of youth and the need to appreciate, preserve and manage valuable local ecosystems, the Chatham Conservation Foundation, Inc. (CCF) is sponsoring educators to teach STEM lesson plans that demonstrate how to incorporate ecological principles in land conservation practices. This effort has been made possible by the generous support of the Helides Education Fund and the Chatham Women's Club.

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These lesson plans are built around CCF’s professional land stewardship and conservation work, to increase student interest in science, introduce them to

future STEM careers, and foster a connection to the natural world that leads to a desire and drive to understand, preserve, and protect wild places.

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The lesson plan content and age level are aligned with the Federal and State Next Generation Science Standards. Although they can be taught in any outdoor setting, time spent on CCF preserves will dovetail with what students are already learning in the classroom. The experiences can be cemented for students through a visit by a CCF representative in three-part process: introductory lessons in the classroom or via Zoom, then a guided outside lesson with their teacher for observational and experiential learning, and finally a CCF wrap-up visit to answer questions, summarize findings and close the lesson. Reach out (ExecutiveDirector@ccfinc.org) to request an educational session! 

Izzy and Bella the Butterfly.jpg

Izzy and Bella the Butterfly, who she hatched from a kit

LESSON PLANS

 

Grade 7 

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  • How is a Wetland Classified? Lab covering NGSS 7.MS-ESS2-2 and 7.MS-ESSE2-4. Learn about conducting a soil sampling. View and download the lesson plan here. 

  • Water Cycle Lab covering ​NGSS 7.MS-ESS2-4. Develop a model to explain how the energy of the Sun and Earth’s gravity drive the cycling of water, including changes of state, as it moves through multiple pathways in Earth’s hydrosphere. View and download the lesson plan here. 

  • Weather Related Events Lab covering NGSS 7.MS-ESS3-2. Obtain and communicate information on how data from past geologic events are analyzed for patterns and used to forecast the location and likelihood of future catastrophic events. View and download the lesson plan here. 

  • Human Influence on Natural Resources Lab covering NGSS 7.MS-ESS3-4. Construct an argument supported by evidence that human activities and technologies can mitigate the impact of increases in human population and per capita consumption of natural resources on the environment. View and download the lesson plan here.

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LESSON PLANS COMING IN MARCH

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  • From Molecules to Organisms Lab covering NGSS 7.MS-LS1-4

  • Resources and their Effects on Organisms Lab covering NGSS 7.MS-LS2-1

  • Relationships of Organisms in an Ecosystem Lab covering NGSS 7.MS-LS2-2

  • Matter and Energy Cycles Lab covering NGSS 7.MS-LS2-3

  • Disruptions to Ecosystems Lab covering NGSS 7.MS-LS2-4

  • Protecting Ecosystems Lab covering NGSS 7.MS-LS2-5

  • Changes in Biodiversity Lab covering NGSS 7.MS-LS2-6​

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