Central and Eastern Contra Costa elementary students will receive water science and conservation education in their classrooms this school year from an affiliation of the Contra Costa Water District and The Gardens at Heather Farm.
Sponsored and developed by the Water District, the programs will be taught to more than 7,000 students by the Youth Education Staff of The Gardens.
Students will participate in hands-on classes and learn about the water cycle, water molecules, water’s role in California history, conservation and how to keep their community’s precious water resource clean. The programs are designed for third, fourth and fifth graders. Third grade classrooms will learn about amazing water in its three forms. Fourth grade curriculum focuses on water and geography in California, and fifth graders will learn about the incredible journey that water molecules make.
Each class is 60 to 90 minutes in length and includes teacher resources, handouts and all materials. Classes are free to schools in the Contra Costa Water District’s Service Area, which covers much of central and eastern Contra Costa County.
The water conservation series is just one of the programs on this year’s calendar. The Gardens at Heather Farm’s Natural Science Classroom offers a wide variety of science and environmental education programs for students of all ages and abilities. Each program includes an interactive presentation, hands-on activities and teacher resource materials.
This year’s classes feature a range of topics, including soil and composting, geology, insects, and seeds that are all available at either school locations or onsite at The Gardens. Field trips to The Gardens for presentations on native plants and native people, exploring creeks and ponds and a visit to the Sensory Garden are all also available.
All programs are designed to support classroom curriculum and align with the current California Content Standards. The goal is to provide students with sensory and scientific explorations that build science skills and knowledge, inspiring a deeper appreciation and understanding of the natural world during a stimulating, age appropriate, and fun-filled educational experience.
For more information, visit gardenshf.org.
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