navigaton
 

 

 
 

Gold Rush | Science | Team Discovery Ropes Challenge


5th-6th GRADE SCIENCE
Earth…the Great Recycler

Why not let students experience earth and life science right where it is taking place--outside?  Students will actively investigate the rock, water and life cycles on the banks of the South Fork and in the Sierra Nevada foothills.  We hope that students will head home with the understanding that they too are connected to the Earth’s systems.  This program is correlated with the California Science Content Standards for 5th-6th grade. 


Three-Day Program Highlights:

Day 1

  • Can rocks actually move?  Can you find an igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock?

On day one, some of the activities students can look forward to are making rocks (cookie rocks that is) in a Dutch oven and panning for gold—a great way to learn about the combined effects of the water and rock cycle.  That evening, students will discover the wonders of the night through guided activities and games.

 

Day 2
  • What is water?  How is water recycled on Earth?  How does water get from one place to another?

  • What is a producer?  Consumer?  Decomposer?  Can you design a food web for the chaparral ecosystem?

On day two, take the journey of a water molecule!  Then, take a closer look at the South Fork and how it affects the living and non-living things around it.  After lunch, the adventure continues into the Sierra Nevada foothills, where lessons related to life cycles are explored.  A guest presenter will bring to life native and local lore that evening.



Day 3

  • How do cycles affect humans?  How do humans affect cycles?

  • What can you do to make a positive difference in your community? 

On the final day, students will discover the role of humans in the Earth’s cycles.  We hope that students will return to their homes with some age-appropriate action ideas for stewardship.


5th and 6th Grade Science Schedule

DAY ONE    
10:30am
(11:00am Wed.)
   Arrive at CODS
   Teachers and Counselors meet for orientation
12:00pm
   Sack lunch
12:30-4:00pm
   Rock cycle
4:00pm
   All present for the first Town Meeting
4:30pm
   Move into tent cabins
Get prepared for the evening program
5:30pm
   Dinner, KP, free time
6:20pm
   Teacher Time/Parent Counselor recess.
Student restroom/drink break
6:50pm
   Meet in the Miner’s Kitchen
7:00-8:45pm
   Night Discoveries
8:45-9:15pm
   Tent cabin time, hygiene
9:30pm
   Lights Out
9:45pm
   Good Night! Quiet time
     
 DAY TWO    
 7:00am
   Rise and Shine! Hygiene, pack backpacks, free time
  7:45am
   Meet in the Town Square for breakfast, KP, free time
9:00am
   Meet Naturalists in the Miner’s Kitchen
9:00am-4:00pm
   Water & Life cycles. Hike into the foothill woodland ecosystem!
Picnic lunch included
4:00-5:15pm
   Shower, tent cabin time or free time
*Supervised by Teacher(s) and Parent Counselors
5:15pm
   Meet in the Town Square for dinner, KP, free time
6:20pm
   Teacher Time/Parent Counselor recess
Student restroom/drink break
6:50pm
   Meet in the Miner’s Kitchen
7:00pm
   Science skit night!
8:45-9:15pm
   Tent cabin time, hygiene
9:30pm
   Lights out
9:45pm
   Good night! Quiet time
     
 DAY THREE    
6:45am
   Rise and Shine! Hygiene, move out and clean up
7:45am
   Meet in the Town Square for breakfast, KP, free time
9:00am
   Photosynthesis & Interrelationships: connecting humans and cycles.
Parents/teachers remain for departure meeting
10:45am
(11:15 Fri.)
   All present for the Final Town Meeting
11:15am (11:45 Fri.)
   Lunch, load cars/bus and say goodbye
12:00pm (12:30 Fri.)
   Departure
     
*We may amend parts of this schedule due to fluctuating departure/arrival times of individual schools, weather restrictions or other unforeseen circumstances.