Forever Earth Program Overviews and Classroom Curriculum

Check out program overviews by grade level below. Each program is aligned with Clark County School District and Nevada State Science Standards.

Links to pre- and post-trip activities are provided; these activities are designed to more fully link the Forever Earth field trip to classroom learning experiences.

• Grade 4: Just Passing Through!:  The Water Cycle!
• Grade 5: Finicky Fish Finish Last!
• Grade 6: Alien Invaders!
• Grade 7: GSI: Geo Scene Investigation!
• High School: (Contact the Forever Earth Project Manager to discuss program options.)

Grade 4 Just Passing Through!:  The Water Cycle

Overview
In “Just Passing Through!  The Water Cycle!,” students begin exploring the importance of Lake Mead by making and recording observations of how water is being used in different ways by plants, animals, and people. Students view an animated powerpoint presentation that follows one drop of water through Lake Mead’s water use cycle and then re-create the cycle on a magnet board. Working as scientists, students determine if water is the same in all parts of the lake by comparing water samples from the middle of the lake and from Las Vegas Bay. By examining a number of scenarios, students use scientific reasoning to deduce the major reasons for the current lower lake level. In a culminating activity, students brainstorm ideas for personal actions that they can take to conserve or protect Lake Mead’s water.

On-Site Programming
For large groups, activities will take place aboard Forever Earth and on shore (typically the Callville Bay picnic area). Large groups will be divided into two or more smaller groups. One or more groups can participate in the shore-based activities while one group is aboard Forever Earth; student groups switch when the Forever Earth group returns to the marina.

The activities are correlated to the Nevada Science Content Standards and to the Clark County School District Curriculum Essentials Framework.  Take a look! 

VOCABULARY

Pre- and Post-trip Activities
These pre-trip activities are designed to prepare students for the Forever Earth experience by…
Pre-trip Curriculum: Activity 1 ● Activity 2

The following post-visit activity is designed to
Post-trip Curriculum:  Activity 1

Grade 5 Finicky Fish Finish Last!

Overview

In “Finicky Fish Finish…Last!” students explore what has happened to the Colorado River and the reasons why it is so difficult for the razorback sucker to thrive in a changed environment. Working as ichthyologists (fish biologists) at Lake Mead, students collect water quality data such as temperature, pH, and clarity¾to determine whether current habitat conditions are sufficient for survival of young razorback suckers. Students observe and identify non-native fish in Lake Mead as they learn how the razorback sucker interacts with these neighbors. Students assess whether Lake Mead is still a good habitat for razorback suckers. Using the knowledge they’ve gained, students design ideal refuges and come up with ideas to get the word out about this endangered native fish.

On-Site Programming
For large groups, activities will take place aboard Forever Earth and on shore (typically the Callville Bay picnic area). Large groups will be divided into two or more smaller groups. One or more groups can participate in the shore-based activities while one group is aboard Forever Earth; student groups switch when the Forever Earth group returns to the marina.

The activities are correlated to the Nevada Science Content Standards and to the Clark County School District Curriculum Essentials Framework.  Take a look! 

VOCABULARY
The Forever Earth field trip will be more successful for students if they gain an understanding of the vocabulary listed below.

Pre- and Post-Trip Activities
These pre-trip activities are designed to prepare students for the Forever Earth experience by introducing them to habitat needs of all species and to initiate student inquiry into why species, such as the razorback sucker, become endangered.
Pre-trip Curriculum: Activity 1 ● Activity 2

The following post-visit activity is designed to synthesize and expand the knowledge students have gained in their Forever Earth experience. Students use their knowledge to spread the word about threatened and endangered species either visually by creating a wayside exhibit or by using podcast technology.
Post-trip Curriculum: Getting the Word Out (Reference)

Grade 6 Alien Invaders!

Overview

In the “Alien Invaders!” program, students study Lake Mead to determine whether it is at risk for invasion by zebra mussels. Students collect water quality data such as calcium levels, clarity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature to determine whether current habitat conditions would allow zebra mussels to survive and thrive. Students learn about the consequences the zebra mussels could have on the lake and its living and non-living resources. Using the knowledge they’ve gained, students create their own management plans to prevent the impending invasion by this species.

On-Site Programming
For large groups, activities will take place aboard Forever Earth and on shore (typically the Callville Bay picnic area). Large groups will be split into two or more smaller groups. One or more groups can participate in the shore-based activities while one group is aboard Forever Earth; student groups switch when the Forever Earth group returns to the marina.

The activities are correlated to the Nevada Science Content Standards and to the Clark County School District Curriculum Essentials Framework.  Take a look! 

VOCABULARY
The Forever Earth field trip will be more successful for students if they gain an understanding of the vocabulary listed below.

Pre- and Post-Trip Activities
Two pre-visit activities have been designed to prepare students for the on-site experience. The first activity introduces students to the concepts of introduced and invasive species. The second activity, Water Characteristics, gives students an opportunity to explore water quality conditions as they relate to the habitat needs of an organism. Once students understand the purpose of each test, they will gain experience using testing equipment and performing data collection and analysis.
Pre-trip Curriculum: Activity 1 (Reference) ● Activity 2 (Reference)

The following post-visit activity is designed to synthesize and expand the knowledge students have gained in their Forever Earth experience by creating a Public Service Announcement (PSA) about an invasive species. By completing this activity, students re-analyze the impact of such species on an ecosystem and consider the value in educating and motivating the public in regard to invasive species.
Post-trip Curriculum: Getting the Word Out (Reference)

Grade 7 Geo Scene Investigation
Overview
Geologists are scientists who study the structure and history of the Earth and its processes. Like detectives, geologists work to unravel the mysteries of the landscapes we see today using clues left behind by the geologic events that formed them. Through Forever Earth, students can get close to fascinating geological features and landforms to better understand the geologic processes that have shaped the Mojave Desert.

GSI: Geo Scene Investigation! introduces students to the differences between observations and interpretations and to some of the fundamental principles of geology. Students identify specific geologic processes and landforms in the landscape surrounding them at Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Lake Mead NRA) by solving mysteries with a set of geology-related clues.

On-Site Programming
For large groups, activities will take place aboard Forever Earth and on shore (typically the Callville Bay picnic area). Large groups will be divided into two or more smaller groups. One or more groups can participate in the shore-based activities while one group is aboard Forever Earth; student groups switch when the Forever Earth group returns to the marina.

The activities are correlated to the Nevada Science Content Standards and to the Clark County School District Curriculum Essentials Framework.  Take a look! 

VOCABULARY
The Forever Earth field trip will be more successful for students if they gain an understanding of the vocabulary listed below.

Pre-trip Curriculum: Activity 1 (Reference) ● Activity 2 (Reference)
Post-trip Curriculum: Getting the Word Out (Reference)