BioSITE Activity Kits
These kits are available for teachers to check-out and use in the classroom. Each kit has enough materials for small groups of students to get hands on study. In each kit you will have activity instructions, a materials card, and support resources.
Note: This web page is in progress, so not all of the kits have accompanying photos and activity instructions yet.
Check Out Procedure
Scheduling:
Contact biosite@cdm.org to request a kit.
One teacher can receive a kit for one week or two teachers can receive a kit for 10 days. Occasionally longer periods are possible depending on kit availability.
Pick Up:
Kits can be picked up on your scheduled date at the Children's Discovery Museum. A staff person will call you beforehand to arrange a meeting.
Return:
Please make sure all materials listed on materials card are returned.
We would appreciate your input by completing the Feedback Form.
Kits can be returned on your scheduled date at the Children's Discovery Museum. A staff person will call you beforehand to arrange a meeting.
Thank You - We hope your young scientists change the world!
Activity Kits
Feather Exploration
Science and Engineering Practices (SEP) – Asking questions & defining problems
Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) – From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
Objective: Students will learn about the structure and function of a feather through detailed observational drawing.
Web resources:
- Video that shows owls adapted for silent flight
- Owls, evolution of their feathers, and how engineers emulate owl adaptations for design (high level)
- Video of a feather star swimming
- More information about the feather star
Leaf Exploration
Science and Engineering Practices (SEP) – Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) – Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity: Adaptation, Biodiversity & Humans
This activity requires the facilitator to gather enough leaves from trees for everyone in the class to have one.
Objective: Students investigate plant adaptations, and practice the art of observing nature and recording details by carefully studying and drawing a leaf.
Web resources:
- “Opening the World through Nature Journaling” by John Muir Laws
- Observational drawing “how-to” videos
- All about plant adaptations
- A helpful resource about plant adaptations including an activity
Bird Adaptations and Ecosystems
Science and Engineering Practices (SEP) – Asking Questions & Defining Problems
Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) – From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
Objective: Students will explore adaptations through examining birds and their habitats.
Web resources:
All the Water on Earth
Science and Engineering Practices (SEP) – Developing and Using Models
Objective: Students will understand how much water is available for human use on Earth.
Web resources:
- The water footprint measures the amount of water used to produce each of the goods and services we use. Browse the product gallery to see the water consumption required to create your favorite foods.
- A teaching resource to learn about all the water on earth
Oak Woodland Ecosystem Investigation
Science and Engineering Practices (SEP) – Asking Questions & Defining Problems
Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) – Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and Dynamics
Objective: Students will foster an appreciation for the dynamic oak woodland ecosystem. By making keen observations and thinking critically about what they see, students will come to appreciate the relationships among all living things.
Web resources:
- How an oak gall is formed
- Acorn woodpeckers live in a commune and work together
- Symbiosis between oaks and scrub jays
- Print out the panels of the mural to display in your classroom (available for free download). Have each group color their panel. Use post it notes or other small bits of paper to add their expert information to the mural display.
Activity Kit Instructions: Oak Woodland Ecosystem Investigation
Satellite Image Watershed Exploration
Science and Engineering Practices (SEP) – Developing and Using Models
Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) – Ecosystems: : Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
Objective: Students will explore their watershed through overhead satellite images. They will investigate patterns and make connections between animal habitats, and paved vs non-paved surfaces.
Web resources:
Activity Kit Instructions: Satellite Image Watershed Exploration
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