What’s the Curriculum Like?

Consider the BWS boardwalk more than a field trip, but a learning lab itself.  Each stop on the tour becomes a mini-lesson.  This first lesson, “Welcome Hike & Belly Biology” is designed to introduce people of all ages to the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary any time of year.  Four additional lessons teach systems-thinking by learning through the seasonal changes the area has to offer.  Students experiencing all four seasonal lessons also gain an intense local phenology experience of biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

The curriculum pieces developed for BWS work to embrace the vision of the Next Generation Science Standard’s 3-D learning by weaving into the student experience both content and skills with relevant interdisciplinary community connection opportunities. 

Science education strategies utilized are the 5E model with hands-on practice of science processes of engineering design and the scientific method.  The 5E’s are:  engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate. 

It’s fun with the fen!  Here are the 5 site-based lessons:

• 5 eSTEM Lessons Overview Opens a New Window. (pdf)
• “Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Welcome Hike & Belly Biology”  Opens a New Window. (pdf - all seasons)
• “Fall FUNology with Phenology at Blaine Wetland Sanctuary” Opens a New Window. (pdf - fall)
• “Frozen Secrets of the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Fen”  Opens a New Window. (pdf - winter)
• “Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Springs Alive!” Opens a New Window.   (pdf - spring)
• “Superheroes & Systems at Blaine Wetland Sanctuary” Opens a New Window.  (pdf - summer)

Additional Resources

• Connections to Minnesota and National Standards Opens a New Window. (pdf)
• eSTEM Key Words Opens a New Window. (pdf)
• BWS Engineering Design Challenges Opens a New Window. (pptx)
• Where Blaine Water Goes Opens a New Window. (pdf - map)
• Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Habitats Opens a New Window. (pdf - map)
• Soils of the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary (pdf - map)
• BWS Master Concept Draft Opens a New Window. (pdf - map)