Discovery Lessons Topics
Discovery Lessons encourage students to develop important scientific skills from making observations to designing experiments and interpreting data.
- Length: 35 minutes
- Maximum number of students: 30
- Fee: $75 unless otherwise noted
- Classes that use live animals are denoted by a
.
All lessons have been developed to meet or exceed Educational Standards, including National Benchmarks for Science Literacy, New Jersey Core Curriculum, Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Science & Technology and for Environment & Ecology, and Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Levels.
The Discovery Lesson Topics listed below are arranged by grade levels: Grades Pre-K to 2, Grades 3 to 6, and Grades 6 and Up.
Grades Pre-K to 2
1) Animal Habitats
All species need a habitat —a place to live that provides food, water, shelter and space. Live animals and museum specimens help you discover how an animal uses and survives in its habitat. Download the Teacher's Guide [.pdf format, 3.5MB].
- National Benchmarks: 5D, 5E
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.5.2A, 5.5.2B, 5.5.4A, 5.10.2A, 5.10.2B
- PA Academic Standards in Science & Technology
- Biological Sciences (3.3.4A, 3.3.4C)
- Earth Sciences (3.5.4C)
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Environmental Health (4.3.4A, 4.3.4C)
- Ecosystems and their Interactions (4.6.4A)
- Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species (4.7.4A, 4.7.4B)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Levels: K, 1
2) Animal Senses
How do we understand the world around us? We see, hear, smell, touch or taste. Practice using a few of your five senses and learn how some live animals use their senses to survive in nature. Download the Teacher's Guide [.pdf format, 98KB].
- National Benchmarks: 1B, 1C, 5A, 5D, 6C, 6D
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.5.2A, 5.5.2B, 5.10.2A
- PA Academic Standards in Science & Technology
- Inquiry and Design (3.2.4 B)
- Biological Sciences (3.3.4A)
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species (4.7.4B, 4.7.4.A)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Levels: K
3) Bugs to Butterflies
What’s the difference between an insect and a spider? Do bugs have bones? What senses does a butterfly use to discover its world? Journey from egg to adult as you explore the traits of butterflies and other boneless creatures using role-playing activities, museum specimens and live invertebrates.
(A visit to the Butterflies! exhibit must be booked separately.)
- Download the Pre/Post Lesson Materials:
- An Educator's Guide to Butterflies!: Lessons and Other Resources for Teachers
[.pdf format, 1.6MB]
- National Benchmarks: 5D, 5E
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.5.2A, 5.10.2A
- PA Academic Standards in Science & Technology
- Biological Sciences (3.3.4A, 3.3.4B, 3.3.4C)
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Ecosystems and their Interactions (4.6.4A)
4) Cold-Blooded Creatures
Are snakes slimy? Why isn’t a frog a reptile? Learn the difference between reptiles and amphibians as you examine museum specimens and live animals.
- National Benchmarks: 5A, 5F
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.5.2A, 5.5.2B, 5.10.2A
- PA Academic Standards in Science & Technology
- Inquiry and Design (3.2.4B, 3.2.4C)
- Biological Sciences (3.3.4A)
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Ecosystems and their Interactions: (4.6.4A)
- Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species (4.7.4A, 4.7.4B)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Levels: K & 1
5) Fur, Feathers and Scales
Have you ever seen a duck wearing a raincoat? Animals do not have to dress to protect themselves from the weather—they depend on their fur, feathers or scales. Investigate unique animal adaptations and develop classification skills using live animals and artifacts.
- National Benchmarks: 1C, 5A
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.5.2A, 5.5.2B, 5.10.2A
- PA Academic Standards in Science & Technology
- Inquiry and Design (3.2.4B)
- Biological Sciences (3.3.4A)
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species (4.7.4A, 4.7.4 B)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Levels: K & 1
- Download the Pre/Post Lesson materials
- Fur, Feathers and Scales for grades Pre-K to 2 [.pdf format, 2.7MB]
6) Meet the Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs continue to inspire people of all ages, but what exactly classifies an animal as a dinosaur? When and where did they live, and how do we know? Explore such questions in this introductory dinosaur class using role-playing activities and museum specimens.
- National Benchmarks: 1C, 5F
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.5.2A, 5.5.2B , 5.8.4A
- PA Academic Standards in Science & Technology
- Inquiry and Design (3.2.4A)
- Biological Sciences (3.3.4A, 3.3.4D)
- Earth Sciences (3.5.4A)
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species (4.7.4.A, 4.7.4B, 4.7.4C)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Levels: Pre-K - 2
7) Unearthing the Past
What does it take to be a dinosaur hunter? Find out as you prepare for The Big Dig and travel to the badlands of New Mexico. Learn about the methods and tools that real paleontologists use when unearthing their latest discoveries.
- National Benchmarks: 1C, 4C, 5F
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.5.2A, 5.10.2B, 5.8.4A
- PA Academic Standards in Science & Technology
- Earth Sciences (3.5.4A)
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species (4.7.4C)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Level: 3
8) Watery Worlds
What do ducks and frogs have in common? Learn about some amazing creatures that inhabit watery worlds such as ponds, rivers and oceans. Fun activities and the introduction of one live animal encourage investigation into the features that make aquatic animals unique.
- National Benchmarks: 5A, 5D, 5F
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.5.2A, 5.5.2B, 5.10.2A
- PA Academic Standards in Science & Technology
- Biological Sciences (3.3.4A)
- Earth Sciences (3.5.4D)
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Watersheds and Wetlands (4.1.4A, 4.1.4B, 4.1.4C)
- Ecosystems and their Interactions (4.6.4A)
- Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species (4.7.4A, 4.7.4B)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Levels: K, 1
Grades 3 to 6
1) Butterfly Adaptations
All animals, including butterflies, have adaptations that help them to escape predators, find mates and stay alive. Students learn several different examples of adaptations and use their investigative skills to apply these adaptations to butterflies in all phases of their life cycles. (A visit to the Butterflies! exhibit must be booked separately.)
- Download the Pre/Post Lesson Materials:
- An Educator's Guide to Butterflies!: Lessons and Other Resources for Teachers
[.pdf format, 1.6MB]
- National Benchmarks: 1B, 1C, 5D
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.5.4C, 5.10.2A
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Ecosystems and their Interactions (4.6.4B, 4.6.7A)
- Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species (4.7.4A, 4.7.4B, 4.7.7A, 4.7.7B)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Levels: 2, 4
2) Dinosaurs: Eat or Be Eaten!
How did dinosaurs get their lunches without becoming lunch themselves? Investigate predator and prey adaptations by examining fossils, artifacts and museum specimens.
- National Benchmarks: 1B, 5A, 5F
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.5.4A, 5.5.4B, 5.8.4A
- PA Academic Standards in Science & Technology
- Unifying Themes in Science (3.1.7A, 3.1.7C, 3.1.7E)
- Inquiry and Design (3.2.7A, 3.2.7B)
- Biological Sciences (3.3.7A, 3.3.7C, 3.3.7D)
- Earth Sciences (3.5.7A)
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Ecosystems and their Interactions (4.6.7A, 4.6.7B)
- Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species (4.7.7A, 4.7.7B, 4.7.7C)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Levels: 4, 5, 6
3) Discovering Your World
Apply the scientific method of inquiry in this hands-on experience, where magnification lenses, journals and your own powers of observation turn you into a biologist exploring the natural world! Study a colony of live animals and design an experiment to answer questions about behaviors, diet, adaptations, and environment. Download the Teacher's Guide [.pdf format, 65KB].
- National Benchmarks: 1B, 1C
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.1.8A, 5.1.8B, 5.4.4C
- PA Academic Standards in Science & Technology
- Inquiry and Design (3.2.4A, 3.2.4B, 3.2.4C, 3.2.7A, 3.2.7B, 3.2.7C)
- Biological Sciences (3.3.4A, 3.3.7A)
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Ecosystems and their Interactions (4.6.4A, 4.6.7A)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Levels: 4, 5
4) Extreme Environments
What does it take to survive in the frozen tundra, a harsh desert, or other specialized environments? Live animals and museum specimens help you examine the adaptations that enable different species to thrive in unusual habitats. Download the Teacher's Guide [.pdf format, 48KB].
- National Benchmarks: 5D, 5E
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.5.4A, 5.5.6B, 5.10.6A, 5.10.6B
- PA Academic Standards in Science & Technology
- Biological Sciences (3.3.4A, 3.3.4C, 3.3.7A, 3.3.7D)
- Earth Sciences (3.5.4C)
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Environmental Health (4.3.4A, 4.3.4C)
- Ecosystems and their Interactions (4.6.4A, 4.6.7A)
- Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species (4.7.4A, 4.7.4B, 4.7.7 A, 4.7.7B, 4.7.7C)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Levels: 4, 5, 6
5) Geology Really Rocks
From the salt on our food to the gas in our cars, we use geology in many ways. The fascinating world of rocks and minerals is revealed as you learn about the rock cycle and handle real geological specimens.
- National Benchmarks: 4B, 4C, 8B, 11A, 11C
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.8.4A, 5.8.4C
- PA Academic Standards in Science & Technology
- Earth Sciences (3.5.4B, 3.5.7B)
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources (4.2.4A, 4.2.4B)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Levels: 3, 6
6) Unearthing the Past
What does it take to be a dinosaur hunter? Find out as you prepare for The Big Dig and travel to the badlands of New Mexico. Learn about the methods and tools that real paleontologists use when unearthing their latest discoveries.
- National Benchmarks: 1C, 4C, 5F
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.5.2A, 5.10.2B, 5.8.4A
- PA Academic Standards in Science & Technology
- Earth Sciences (3.5.4A)
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species (4.7.4C)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Level: 3
7) Water, Water Everywhere
Did you know that much of the world’s fresh water is not clean enough to drink or to provide homes for aquatic organisms like frogs? Explore how water becomes polluted, investigate the life history of frogs, and discover the importance of amphibians in helping us to identify unhealthy habitats. Download the Teacher's Guide [.pdf format, 54KB].
- National Benchmarks: 1B, 4B, 5D, 11A
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.5.6B, 5.5.6C, 5.10.6A, 5.10.6B
- PA Academic Standards in Science & Technology
- Inquiry and Design (3.2.4A, 3.2.4C)
- Earth Sciences (3.5.4D)
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Watersheds and Wetlands (4.1.4A, 4.1.4C, 4.1.4E)
- Environmental Health (4.3.4A, 4.3.4B, 4.3.4C)
- Ecosystems and their Interactions (4.6.4A, 4.6.4B)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Levels: 4, 5
Grades 6 and Up
1) Animals with Bad Reputations
Do bats suck your blood? Do sharks eat people? There are many myths and misconceptions about animals in the wild. Separate fact from fiction by observing live animals and examining specimens.
- National Benchmarks: 1C, 5A, 5E
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.5.4A, 5.5.6B
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Environmental Health (4.3.7C)
- Integrated Pest Management (4.5.7A)
- Ecosystems and their Interactions (4.6.7C)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Levels: 4
2) Endangered Species: Going, Going, Gone!
Why is so much of Earth’s remarkable biodiversity vanishing? Through hands-on activities and an encounter with a live animal, discover the main threats endangering species, and learn why it is so important to prevent further biodiversity loss.
- National Benchmarks: 3C, 5A, 5D, 7G, 11A
- NJ Core Curriculum: 5.5.4A, 5.5.4B, 5.5.8A, 5.5.8B, 5.10.8A, 5.10.8B
- PA Academic Standards in Science & Technology
- Unifying Themes in Science (3.1.7E)
- Science, Technology and Human Endeavors (3.8.10A)
- PA Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology
- Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources (4.2.7A, 4.2.7B)
- Environmental Health (4.3.7B, 4.3.7C)
- Ecosystems and their Interactions (4.6.7C)
- Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species (4.7.10A, 4.7.7C)
- Humans and the Environment (4.8.7C, 4.8.10D)
- Philadelphia Core Curriculum Grade Levels: 6, 7
