Science of Spring
In this 4-week course, students will investigate and learn about various aspects of spring, including the science pertaining to planetary changes, bird and animal behaviour (Canadian spelling!), and animal and plant reproduction.
Michael Maser
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(3)
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
In this 'Science of Spring' course, students will be guided and encouraged to notice various characteristics of spring (wherever they live in the northern hemisphere); each week we will purposefully focus our attention on specific characteristics, which will include planetary changes in light and temperature, animal behaviors (foraging, migrating, nesting, courting, birthing, metamorphosing), plant life and growth, and some scientific aspects of animal and plant reproduction. Each class will follow a lesson module shared in advance, the instructor will review the main points and then invite discussion and questions from all participants. Each student will also be encouraged to explore and document characteristics of spring in a class journal, and share these discoveries.
Learning Goals
Students will:
- learn scientific details about the planetary changes associated with spring (e.g. atmospheric / astronomic changes, ecosystem changes, etc.)
- learn scientific characteristics about animal and insect behaviours associated with spring (e.g. foraging, migrating, nesting, courtship, mating, birthing, metamorphoses)
- learn scientific characteristics about plant life and growth associated with spring (e.g. seed growth and sprouting, movement of plant nutrients, photosynthesis [basics], pollination, flowering)
- learn some scientific aspects of animal, reptile, amphibian, fish, insect and bird reproduction (e.g. mating and exchange of genetic information, gestation, birth, raising of young)
- learn some scientific aspects of plant reproduction (e.g. pollination, seed development/germination, dispersal, plant growth)
- learn some scientific aspects of animal and plant symbiosis pertaining to spring (e.g. mutualism, commensalism, parasitism)
- learn some aspects of how human cultures have integrated spring into their cosmologies (myths, rituals, etc.)
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This course is intended to cover some basic scientific information about reproduction among animals (mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and insects) and plants; as such it will provide basic information about sexual and vegetative fertilization and the exchange of genetic information leading, in animals, to gestation and birth, and, in plants, to seed formation, flowering, pollination, etc. This course will not dwell on any one aspect of reproduction, nor will it provide information pertaining to human sexuality (sexual development, birth control, etc.).
Supply List
I will be guiding students to a 'Science of Spring' website (Google site) where they will find a class outline with images and links. It will be helpful to purchase a journal and magnifying glass.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined August, 2018
5.0
3reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
As a long-time educator (mainly online) I have offered 'seasonal' courses such as this one, numerous times. I enjoy the experience of introducing students to the wonders of 'integrated' or holistic science that blend many aspects of our living worlds with scientific information and discoveries. My previous students in these courses have all valued the knowledge and opportunities to deepen their engagement with the world around them. Reviews
Live Group Class
$30
for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
55 min
Completed by 11 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
7-10 learners per class
