EcoVenture Classes

Shapes & Colors

Students will develop observation skills by identifying the similarities and differences among shapes, colors, patterns, and numbers associated with animals. They will also develop empathy for living things.

Curriculum Standard: Pre-K/K Math and ELA standards

Baby Steps

Students will compare and contrast patterns of behavior between adult animals and their offspring. This class will also explore ways in which humans can respect animals in the wild, especially young.

Curriculum Standard: SEEd standard 1.2.4

Awesome Ocean Creatures

Students will investigate a variety of ocean habitats and the creatures that live there. They will learn that animal behaviors and body structures often determine the type of habitat that is best for survival.  Students will be introduced to the dangers of pollution, namely plastic, in the ocean.

Curriculum Standard: SEEd standards 2.2.1, 2.2.2

Critter Tales

Students will recognize that animals are sometimes given unfounded reputations.  They will interpret stories from cultures around the world which highlight the benefits of species that are often feared.

Curriculum Standard: ELA reading standard Literature 2

Incredible Insects

Students will explore the most diverse group of animals on the planet: Insects! They will learn about insect body plans, biodiversity, how insects help their habitats, and how humans can support local insect populations.

Curriculum Standard: SEEd standards 3.2.5, 3.2.6

Prehistoric Puzzles

Students will travel through various Utah habitats throughout time. They will investigate how archaeologists are able to use the adaptations and features of once living organisms to provide details about the environments they lived in. Students will recognize that extinction is often a natural process, but that human behaviors are accelerating it.

Curriculum Standard: SEEd standards 4.1.3, 4.1.4

Aquatic Animal Adaptations

Students will predict the type of ocean habitat an animal may occupy based on its adaptations.  They will also examine ways in which humans can support the health of ocean ecosystems in their daily lives.

Curriculum Standard: SEEd standard 4.1.1

Go with the Flow

We are all connected. Students will uncover the movement of matter through food chains during this program and recognize that all organisms, in life and in death, have an important role to play.

Curriculum Standard: SEEd standard 5.3.3

Current Events

Ocean currents affect weather, climate, and Utah! Students will study how currents are made with a focus on density experiments and the water cycle. Students will recognize that increased heating in the oceans is affecting us here in Utah and that there are things people can do to help minimize these changes.

Curriculum Standard: SEEd standards 6.2.2, 6.3.1, 6.3.2, 6.3.3

Hives & Harvest

Students will examine the life of bees and assess how altering the living and nonliving components of an ecosystem through human action can lead to fluctuations in populations, for better and for worse.

Curriculum Standard: SEEd standards 6.4.1, 6.4.4

Keys to Genes

Students will use dichotomous keys to identify organisms and infer relationships. This class breaks down the benefits and shortfalls of dichotomous keys and provides a basic introduction of DNA analysis and genetics. Students will recognize that our choices matter and that biodiversity on Earth is crucial for the health of an ecosystem.

Curriculum Standard: SEEd standard 7.5.3

Colors, Calls, & Cavorting

Animals use a variety of methods to ensure their survival.  This class highlights some of the wild and wonderful ways in which animals, primarily birds, are able to pass along traits from one generation to the next.  We will also address how human behavior can affect the survival of these species for better, and for worse.

Curriculum Standard: SEEd standard 7.4.2

Keep it Light

Energy, like water, flows as a cycle on Earth. This class highlights the role of photosynthesis in food chains. Students will examine the role of photosynthetic microorganisms being cultured at LLPA and appreciate that all life on our planet begins with light.

Curriculum Standard: SEEd standard 8.3.1

Aquarium Careers

What does it take to maintain an aquarium?  Architects, accountants, artists, and more! There is much more to aquarium careers than animal husbandry. This program dives into the diversity of career options when working for a place like LLPA and includes some suggestions for success if students are interested in working with or near animals.

Tools for Travel

Animals have migrated across the planet for millions of years in search of better food, resources and mates. This program examines the ways in which human behavior has altered migration patterns and how advances in technology have dramatically increased our understanding of this fascinating movement.

Curriculum Standard: SEEd standards BIO.1.1, BIO.1.5

Pillars of Conservation

Research, rehabilitation and education play equal roles in providing wildlife with dignity, respect and purpose. This program explores possible outcomes for injured wildlife and how we can all support a healthy ecosystem around us.

Curriculum Standard: SEEd standard BIO.1.5

In the Field

How do scientists determine whether an organism should be listed as ‘endangered’, ‘threatened’, or otherwise? Students will conduct a population assessment of Utah wildlife, explore possible human-induced reasons for population fluctuations among species, and discuss how the survival of one species can affect the survival of others.

Curriculum Standard: SEEd standard BIO.1.4

COMING SOON: Sense-ational Sharks