Grade: 2nd

26 Feb 2021

Nature Exploration: Awareness

August-June

This program engages students in a hands-on exploration of Ohio’s natural areas. We’ll focus on developing nature awareness skills that allow us to make observations about the plants and animals in our habitats at Greenacres. This is an ideal program for a first time visit to Greenacres or for students to become more comfortable in nature.

Ohio Science Standards

  • SWK Grade K-2: The world is discovered through exploration.
  • SWK Grade K-2: Exploration leads to observation. Observation leads to questions.

NGSS Standards

  • 2-PS1-1. Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties
  • 2-LS4-1. Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Introduction & Vocabulary: observation, senses, awareness, habitat

Post Program Extras 

26 Feb 2021

Maple Discovery (K- 3rd)

Jan 21-Feb 25, 2026

Maple sugaring is the tradition of making maple syrup from the sap gathered from maple trees in late winter. Many animals and people benefit by using the sap of maple trees. Plan to visit our sugar bush and our working evaporator at Greenacres as you use your senses to discover how maple sap is turned into syrup. (Jan 21-Feb 26, 2026)

Ohio Science Standards:

  • SIPA Grade K-2: Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses.
  • LS Grade K: Living things have specific characteristics and traits.
  • LS Grade K: Living things have physical traits and behaviors, which influence their survival.
  • ESS Grade 1: Weather changes are long-term and short-term.
  • ESS Grade 1: The sun is the principal source of energy.
  • ESS Grade 1: Water on Earth is present in many forms.
  • LS Grade 1: Living things have basic needs, which are met by obtaining materials from the physical environment.
  • LS Grade 1: Living things survive only in environments that meet their needs.
  • ESS Grade 2: Long and short term weather changes occur due to changes in energy.
  • LS Grade 2: Living things cause changes on earth.
  • LS Grade 3: Individuals of the same kind of organism differ in their inherited traits. These differences give some individuals an advantage in surviving and or reproducing.

NGSS Standards:

  • K-LS1-1. Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
  • 1-ESS1-2. Make observations at different times of year to relate the amount of daylight to the time of year.
  • 2-LS4-1. Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
  • 3-LS3-2. Use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment

    Vocabulary:

    spiles, sap, gallons, sugar shack, sugar bush, evaporation, tap, sapsucker

    Video Introduction: CLICK HERE for Maple video with a Greenacres educator

    24 Feb 2021

    Life at the Stream

    April-October

    Exploring nature is an important part of developing a relationship with our environment. Streams are an essential resource to many Ohio plants and animals, including humans.  Take time to discover the stream at Greenacres and make observations as we look for plants and animals that call it home.

    Ohio Science Standards

    • 2.LS.1: Living things cause changes on Earth.
    • 2.LS.2: All organisms alive today result from their ancestors, some of which may be extinct. Not all kinds of organisms that lived in the past are represented by living organisms today.

    NGSS Standards

    • 2-LS4-1. Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
    • 2-ESS2-3. Obtain information to identify where water is found on Earth and that it can be solid or liquid.

    Video Introduction and Vocabulary:

    macroinvertebrates, fossil, extinct, habitat

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