Each group will receive one to two pumpkins
Suggested Grade Level: First grade
Duration: One hour
Season: Fall
Students will visit the pumpkin patch, learn plant parts, learn the life cycle of a pumpkin plant, dissect a pumpkin seed, and compare different plant seeds.
N.C. Science Correlations
First grade: 1.01, 1.03, and 1.04
Suggested Grade Level: Third grade
Duration: One hour
Season: Fall
Students will determine the similarities and differences among pumpkins in the patch. Students will conduct several scientific practices, such as observing, predicting, experimenting and recording data. After visiting the pumpkin patch, students will be able to describe the life cycle of a pumpkin plant; how the environment determines plant growth; and the importance of plant nutrients and pollination.
N.C. Science Correlations
Third grade: 1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05
Suggested Grade Level: Kindergarten - fourth grades
Duration: Two hours
Season: Fall and Spring
Students will identify farm animals and determine their needs for air, water, food and shelter. They will also compare and contrast the life cycles of different animals and learn about animal growth and adaptation. They will explore and identify environments that support the biological needs of farm animals and identify principal products and by-products from livestock.
N.C. Science Correlations
Kindergarten: 1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04. 1.05
First grade: 1.02, 1.03, 1.04
Second grade: 1.01
Fourth grade: 1.01, 1.02, and 1.03
Suggest Grade Level: Third grade
Duration: One hour
Season: Fall and Spring
Students will explore the importance of soil and how soil supports the growth of plants. Students will also learn about physical, chemical and biological properties and how these contribute to “soil quality.” They will learn about practices such as how green manure enriches soil quality. Students will play a game to simulate soil particle sizes and their pore spaces. . Students will identify soil texture by touching a variety of soil samples and understand how compost can be used to recycle plant material.
N.C. Science Correlations
Third grade: 2.01, 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06
Suggested Grade Level: First grade
Duration: One hour
Season: Spring
Students will discover plant parts and investigate the needs of plants. Students will take a walk through the vegetable plantings on the farm, participating in hands-on explorations of plant growth. Students will identify types of seeds, learn about plant competition, create a plant journal and plant a seed to take home.
N.C. Science Correlations
First grade: 1.01, 1.03, and 1.04
Suggested Grade Level: Third grade
Duration: One hour
Season: Spring
Students will collect samples of plants they find, in the farm’s fields and explore the relationships among, plants, their various parts and the foods we eat. Students will also discuss how the environment determines plant growth, compare the life cycles of plants, and examine the importance of plant nutrients and pollination. Students will dissect a flower and examine its parts.
N.C. Science Correlations
Third grade: 1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05, 1.06
From Field to Food
Discovery Stations actively involve students in gaining knowledge and skills in nutrition and physical activity for healthy growth. Students go through a series of educational stations at the farm and then engage in farming activities that reflect how what they do helps produce the food they eat. Students explore fruits and vegetables on the farm which provides a holistic environment for health, nutrition, and wise choices to be used to help them begin building healthy living habits.
NC Science Correlations
Kindergarten: 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05
1st Grade: 4.02, 4.03
2nd Grade: 4.02, 2.05
3rd Grade: 4.03, 4.04
4th Grade: 4.03, 4.04
5th Grade: 4.01
Suggested Grade Level: Second grade
Duration: One hour
Season: Spring
Students will explore insect life cycles, collect insects they can find on crops, and identify basic parts of an insect, learn about beneficial insects, inspect insect traps, and examine captured insects through microscope. (the them in this case refers to what – insect or insect traps).
N.C. Science Correlations
Second grade 1.02, 1.03, 1.04
Suggested grade level: Kindergarten - fifth grades
Duration: One hour
Season: Spring
Students will learn the importance of water quality and how clean water is essential to them and their families. They will learn about watersheds, and how watersheds protect and improve water quality when managed properly. They will explore the farm watershed and learn how “sustainable” farming practices protect water quality. Students will collect water samples from the farm’s watershed and perform experiments to determine the water quality.