Life, Earth and Physical Science Programs

Available during the school year

PreK
Touchable Tales

Available September - March

Preschoolers learn about animals through a themed storybook reading, craft activity and a visit with a live animal. They will find out how animals locate their homes, food and friends. Discovery is enhanced by the use of touchable bones and pelts.

Frameworks: PreK-2: Life Science 1,2,3,6,7,8, Physical Science 1, Technology and Engineering 1.1,1.2,2.2.

K-2, 3-5

Mysteries of Animal Tracking

Students learn the art of tracking and tackle the questions of how animals find food, build shelters and adapt to their habitats and the seasons. Learning to read clues left by native animals, groups practice their new skills outdoors and work together to solve their own "who-dunnits".

Frameworks: K-2 : Earth and Space Science 5, Physical Science 1, Life Science 1,2,3,6,7,8. Gr. 3-5: Life Science 8, 9, 10. Physical Science 1.

K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Wide World of Insects

Available May - September; Indoors & Outdoors

Students head outside to collect insects and other invertebrates using the methods and technique of entomologists. With the aid of a video microscope, they study their "catch" to learn more insect life cycles, adaptations to habitats and the role of each insect in the ecosystem, including the impacts of invasive species.

Frameworks: Gr. K-2: Earth and Space Science 4,5, Life Science 1,3,6,7,8. Gr. 3-5: Life Science 1,3,4,6,7,8,9,10,11. Gr. 6-8: Life Science 1,10,13,14,16,18.

K-2, 3-5, 6-8, HS
Pond Ecosystems

Indoors & Outdoors

Students visit a pond habitat and use scientific tools to collect microscopic organisms. Viewing insect larvae, zooplankton, and other tiny creatures through a video microscope allows students to observe behaviors and explore these animals' life cycles and place in the pond ecosystem.

Frameworks: Gr. K-2: Earth and Space Science 4,5, Life Science 1,3,6,7,8. Gr. 3-5: Life Science 1,3,8,9,10,11. Gr. 6-8: Life Science 1,13,14,15,16. HS: Biology 6.2,6.3,6.4.

3-5, 6-8, HS
Designing for Wind

Available September - March

Students learn about the process of converting wind energy into electricity, taking on economic and engineering challenges. They experiment with turbine blade placement for optimal performance and examine the balance between research and development costs and profits. Modified from and using kits developed by the Connecticut Science Center Collaborative: Talcott Mountain Center, Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and Clean Air Cool Planet. Limited to 30 participants.

Frameworks: Gr. 3-5: Number Sense 3.N.8,3.N.9,4.N.10,4.N.11,4.N.12, Patterns Relations, Algebra 4.P.4,4.P.5, Data Analysis, Statistics, Probability 3.D.1,3.D.3,4.D.1,4.D.3, Physical Science 4,5,6, Tech/Engineering 2.1. Gr. 6-8: Number Sense 6.N.9,7.N.9,8.N.12, Data Analysis, Statistics, Probability 6.D.1,7.D.1,8.D.2, Physical Science 11, Tech/Engineering 2.1,2.5. HS: Earth and Space Science 2.1, 2.2, Physical Science 5.6, Tech/Engineering 1.1,1.2,4.4.

3-5, 6-8, HS
Forces of Nature

Students witness the power of explosive volcanoes, ground-buckling earthquakes and deadly tornadoes as they head into the field with scientists to explore the origins and behaviors of natural disasters. They'll virtually travel the world, from the brink of an erupting volcano in the Caribbean, to storm-chasing in Tornado Alley, to Turkey, where earthquakes provide clues to where and when the next quake will strike. Multimedia planetarium presentation narrated by Kevin Bacon. Produced by National Geographic and Graphic Films, Inc. Transformed for full-dome by Sky-Skan, Inc.

Frameworks: Gr. 3-5 Earth and Space Science 6,12, Physical Science (Physics) 4,5 Technology and Engineering 2.1. Gr. 6-8: Earth and Space Science 1,2,5,7, Physical Science (Physics) 11,13,14,16, Technology and Engineering 2.1. HS: Earth and Space Science1.6,3.9,3.10,3.11,3.12, Physical Science (Physics) 2.2,3.2,4.1,4.5,4.6, Technology and Engineering 1.2,6.1.

Exhibit Companion Programs
The Arctic Next Door: Mount Washington

2, 3-5
Geology of New England

Available September - March

Using geologist's techniques, students sort and classify specimens from the Goddard mineral collection. They learn which rocks and minerals they might find on Mount Washington, at other sites in New England and around the world. Limited to 30 participants.

Frameworks: PreK-2: Patterns, Relations, and Algebra K.P.1, K.P.2, Geometry K.G.1,K.G.2,K.G.3,2.G.1,2.G.2, Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability 2.D.1, Earth Science 1, Tech/Engineering 1.1. Gr. 3-5: Geometry 4.G.3, Data, Analysis, Statistics and Probability 3.D.1, 4.D.1, Earth Science 1,2,3, Tech/Engineering 1.1.

2, 3-5, 6-8
Understanding Weather

Available September - March

Students learn about and understand weather patterns and extreme weather phenomena through hands-on exploration and observations, using meteorologist's tools and models in our classrooms and exhibits. Limited to 30 participants.

Frameworks: PreK-2: Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability: 2.D.1, Earth Science 2,3, Physical Science (Physics) 2,3,4, Physical Science (Chemistry) 1,2. Gr. 3-5: Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability 3.D.1,4.D.1, Earth Science 4,6,7,8,9,11, Physical Science (Chemistry) 2,3,4, Physical Science (Physics) 2,3,4. Gr. 6-8: Physical Science (Chemistry) 14,15,16. Physical Science (Physics) 11,14,15,16.