Third Grade Field Trip

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Program Descriptions


Stream Ecology

Students get a chance to explore our beautiful Catoctin Creek, learning how to identify tiny stream insects called Macroinvertebrates.

These animals are sensitive to pollution and important biological indicators. Students will examine the aquatic specimens caught during the creek study and discuss the interactions, competition and environmental factors of each.

They will also conduct water quality tests, and determine the health of the creek based on the biodiversity of life they find in the creek.

The best time for this program is from May through October and is limited to 25 students in the creek at 1 time. Children should wear socks and be prepared to get wet (teachers and adult volunteers included).

Program Details:
  • Program length: 90 minutes
  • Minimum: 10
  • Maximum:50 (with rotating stations of 25 per 2 groups)
  • Chaperones required: 1 chaperone per 15 students
  • Cost: $4.50 per person
Maryland State Curriculum:
  • SC.300.10.02a, .02b
  • SC.300.30.05
  • SC.300.60
Maryland Environmental Literacy Curriculum:
  • Standard 3: Topic A, Indicator 1; Topic C, Indicator 1
  • Standard 4: Topic A, Indicator 1; Topic C, Indicator 1; Topic E, Indicator
Stream Ecology

Populations Program


Students will discover about the positive and negative impacts of wildlife populations on the local food webs. Discussion Topics will include: inherited physical characteristics, genetic traits, and behavioral adaptations.

Program Details
  • Program length: 90 minutes
  • Minimum: 10
  • Maximum:75 (with some flexibility)
  • Chaperones required: 1 chaperone per 15 students
  • Cost: $4.50 per person
Maryland State Curriculum:
  • SC.300.10.02
  • SC.300.30.04, 05
  • SC.300.60.01, 02
Maryland Environmental Literacy Curriculum
  • Standard 3: Topic A, Indicator 1; Topic C, Indicator 1
  • Standard 4: Topic A, Indicator 1; Topic C, Indicator 1; Topic E, Indicator
Call the Park Naturalist at 301-600-2050 to discuss any program content or to create a program specifically for your class.
Populations