Science and Technology

BIOLOGY IN THE GARDEN

Apply scientific thinking to explore the intriguing world of plant and animal life in this interactive program highlighting Living Organisms, Life Cycles and Systems.

NEW: Operation Pollination

Students discover the connection of living systems as they investigate why flowering plants have co-evolved with their pollinator partners for millions of years. By identifying adaptations of plants and pollinators students will gain an appreciation of this delicate relationship.

K-2:  Students learn about different types of pollinators as they hunt for them in the Garden. They learn about the parts of a flower used in pollination as they create a pollinator and try to pollinate a flower.

3-5:  Students will dissect flowers to identify parts used in pollination. Students discover the process of pollination while observing and recording various pollinators at work.  Students will have an opportunity to compete in a pollination game.

6-8:   Students will dissect flowers to identify flower parts used in pollination. Activities will enable students to discover how human impact plays a role in the pollinators’ survival and how our relationship is mutually beneficial.

9-12: Students discover how the science of pollination is applied to plant breeding in Longwood's plant research program.

National Standards in Biology

• Standard 4: Understands the principles of heredity and related concepts
• Standard 5: Understands the structure and function of cells and organisms
• Standard 6: Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment
• Standard 7: Understands biological evolution and the diversity of life
• Standard 8: Understands that the physical properties of things can change
• Standard 11: Understands the nature of scientific knowledge
• Standard 12: Understands the nature of scientific inquiry

LifeCircles

Trace the life cycles of plants, trees and insects in this hands-on program connecting the cycles of nature with life science in the garden. Students are challenged to sequence the stages of insect and plant cycles as well as identify the interdependence of plants and animals in a garden setting.

K-2:  Students explore the life cycles of plants, trees and insects through books, models, and specimens.

3-5: Students search for living and non-living factors in an ecosystem and then observe plants and insects in different life stages.

6-8:  Students find biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem and then make scientific observations of plants and insects and identify life stages.

9-12:  Students review the life cycles of several key species to explore specific managed ecosystems.

Pre/Post Idea Generator for LifeCircles

National Standards in Biology

• Standard 4: Understands the principles of heredity and related concepts
• Standard 5: Understands the structure and function of cells and organisms
• Standard 6: Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment
• Standard 7: Understands biological evolution and the diversity of life
• Standard 8: Understands that the physical properties of things can change
• Standard 11: Understands the nature of scientific knowledge
• Standard 12: Understands the nature of scientific inquiry
• Standard 13: Understands scientific enterprise
  
  

EARTH SCIENCE IN THE GARDEN

Probe the mysteries of life-sustaining earth processes in this scientific investigation of water and soil by applying the skills of scientific inquiry and design.

H2O

Dive into the study of water and the water cycle in this in-depth earth science program.  Students are introduced to the clever ways in which plants and people use water at Longwood Gardens as they record their observations and conduct their own water-based experiment.

K-2:  Students learn that water is essential to all life and is a valuable and limited resource. They explore different ways that plants collect and use water.

3-5: Students explore the water cycle and learn about water conservation and water pollution. They conduct a water experiment to find out if plants and soil can filter out water pollutants and create a pamphlet showing what  they learned.

6-8:  Students investigate watersheds and how to protect them through several water experiments. They create a brochure that can be used to teach others how to protect water.

9-12:  Students investigate watersheds and how to protect them through several water experiments. They create a brochure that be used to teach others how to protect water.

Pre/Post Idea Generator for H2O

National Standards in Earth Science

• Standard 1: Understands atmospheric processes and the water cycle
• Standard 2: Understands Earth’s composition and structure
• Standard 6: Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment
• Standard 8: Understands that the physical properties of things can change
• Standard 11: Understands the nature of scientific knowledge
• Standard 12: Understands the nature of scientific inquiry
• Standard 13: Understands scientific enterprise

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