Elementary School Programs: Early Explorers

Early Explorers(grades K-2) provides students with a critical link to the most significant natural resource in the region: Long Island Sound. Students will have the opportunity to see organisms found in Long Island Sound and establish a sense of wonder in order to then describe different structural characteristics as well as determine predator/prey relationships. This program takes place in the school classroom and at SoundWaters Coastal Education Center.

Program Brief:

Day 1 – SoundWaters visits your school:

One hour long, hands-on opportunity to interact with animals from Long Island Sound including: crabs, mollusks, horseshoe crabs, sea stars, flounder, and learn how the animals eat, breathe, and survive in inter-tidal habitats.

Day 2 -Field study experience at SoundWaters in Cove Island Park (or other coastal site)

 Coastal Habitat & Food Chain station: Emphasizing the fact that diversity and different life cycles of all organisms are important for the survival and health of Long Island Sound. Students will perform a population study at the sandy beach to identify local species and determine food web connections in Long Island Sound.

A simple game and inquiry based discussion of what a food chain is and examples of what may affect each organism within the chain, as well as how different life stages of organisms are also linked within the food chain.

Life Cycles station: Using scientific equipment students collect a plankton sample and examine different life stages under the microscope. Students will also explore the sandy and rocky shores to describe the changes in organisms that grow and go through metamorphosis.

Information on curriculum standards is available here:

• CT Standards — Click here for more information.
• NY Standards — Click here for more information.

For more information please contact: Alisha Milardo alisha@soundwaters.org 203 406 3312