Growing Students in Science

The Holden Arboretum started a unique program in September 2003 called Growing Students in Science: A Community Partnership to Build Interest and Ability in the Sciences. Students participate in the program for three or more years, starting in the second or third grade and completing the program in the fifth grade. Each year students participate in two field trips at The Holden Arboretum and one classroom visit by Holden staff. By providing natural science programming, in the classroom and outdoors, Holden is positively impacting students’ interest and proficiency in the sciences. All programs are aligned with Ohio's science content standards.

 

Each year, teachers play an integral part in the Growing Students in Science (GSS) project, attending professional development workshops held throughout the year. The workshops provide them with tools to teach various aspects of the program to their students and provide additional activities to reach science standards. Teachers also play a key role in Holden's assessment of the project. 

 

 

Participating Districts  

Currently the following districts have incorporated GSS into their curriculum. There are 198 classrooms and more than 4,500 students participating in this program. This year a second grade program is being field tested and will become part of the regular program starting with the 2011-12 school year. Students build a terrarium as part of a GSS lesson.

  • Arch Bishop Lyke
  • Beachwood
  • Cleveland Heights
  • Euclid
  • Mayfield
  • Notre Dame- Cathedral Latin
  • Orange
  • Painesville City
  • Richmond Heights
  • Riverside
  • St. Clare
  • South Euclid/Lyndhurst
  • Wickliffe
  • Willo-Hill Christian
  • Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools

How To Get Involved

Every year new districts are asked to consider participation in this multi-year program. All districts are welcome to participate. Most start at the third grade level and progressively add a grade level as the students advance. Next year there will be the option to start with second grade. Costs associated with the program cover field trips, classroom visits, kits of materials and teacher professional development. Some funds are available to help subsidize interested districts who are in financial difficulty. See the current brochure.

 

Learn More - Come Observe A Program

We invite those who are interested to schedule a meeting to learn more about the program or better yet come out and observe a class in action. Classroom visits will be taking place from late January through March and Holden visits occur every day April through May and September through October.

 

Contact Becky Thompson, Growing Students in Science coordinator for more information.

 

 

Second Grade: Trees in Past and Present Environments

Students discover how trees are important in past and present environments.They learn that trees function and interact with their environment and may cause change to the area where they live. Students learn to observe and ask questions about the natural environment. They use simple equipment and tools to gather information.

 

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Students explore a decaying log in the forest at Holden while on a GSS field visit. Third Grade: Plants And Animals In The Forest

The third grade program focuses on how animals and plants

interact in a forest community. Students learn about life cycles and interdependence. They spend a great deal of their time improving their observation skills. Most of the time at Holden is spent in the forest.

 

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Fourth Grade: Plants

The fourth grade program focuses on plants. Students spend their time learning about structure, function, life cycles, reproduction and diversity. They further hone their observation and inquiry skills by interacting with

the hundreds of plants in Holden's main display gardens.

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Fifth Grade: Ecosystems

The fifth grade program focuses on ecosystems. Students collect data in a field, a forest and a stream. They learn the importance of collecting information, identifying specimens and recording that information. They spend time communicating their information to other student scientists in their class. Students go to a forest that is different from the one they visited in third grade as well as a field and a section of the east branch of the Chagrin River.

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