Overview of Lessons

The summaries below express the objective of each particular lesson.  In addition to the descriptions, all objectives manifest by completing an activity such as a physical project, an experiential game or a field trip.

 Jr. Wildlife Biologist

Grade             3^rd 

Program        Desert Tortoise

Goal               To expose students to the desert tortoise, its natural history, and how the student’s actions affect its existence.

Grade             3^rd, 4^th & 5^th

Program        Amazing Adaptations

Goal               Students will explore adaptations to living and discuss how recent human impacts have placed some animals at risk because they are unable to adapt fast enough to recent changes.

Jr. Ecologist

Grade             4^th

Program        The A, B, C’s of Ecology

Goal               Students will have a better understanding of ecology and explore how organisms interact with their environment.

Grade             4^th

Program        Mojave Desert Ecosystem

Goal               Students will gain knowledge of their surrounding environment and observe native plant and animal life.

Jr. Historian

Grade             3^rd & 4^th

Program        They Called the Desert Home

Goal               Students will learn bout six groups of people that lived and worked in the East Mojave Desert:  Chemuhuevi Indians, soldiers, railroaders, miners, ranchers, and park rangers. 

Grade             4^th                                                                                                                                                                    

Program        California History at Calico Ghost Town

Goal               Students learn what life was like in 1849 and the effects of the Gold Rush on settlements, daily life, politics, and the physical environment.  This program will take place at Calico Ghost Town to include several rotating stations.

Grade             4^th, 5th & 6^th

Program        California’s Trail of Tears

Goal               Students learn of the historic circumstances of the California Indians, and how events from the Spanish, Mexican, and American conquests shaped the lives and futures of California's Indian population and of today's Californians.

Jr. Geologist/Paleontologist

Grade             3^rd & 4^th

Program        Rock Out with Earth Science

Goal               Students will learn about the three types of rocks that are interrelated through the rock cycle and the geological history of oceans, swamps, river, and coastal sand dunes, as well as the Mojave Desert.  Local geology and mining will also be explored. 

Grade             5^th

Program        Paleontology

Goal               Students will learn about the rocks of the western Mojave Desert from Precambrian gneiss to recent alluvial gravels and playa dry lake deposits in addition to the fossil-bearing sediments containing extensive fossil assemblage that spanned four million years of geologic time.  This 2-day Saturday program will include a session at the DDC and a field trip to explore the unique geology of the Rainbow Basin Natural Area.

Jr. Hydrologist

Grade             5^th

Program        Hydrology, Watersheds and Me

Goal                Students will gain basic knowledge of hydrology to include the increasing stresses on water resources resulting from population growth.  Students will explore conservation as an important tool to help ensure an adequate water supply.  At the conclusion of the program students identify how they can change their water use habits at home, school and work.

Jr. Archeologist

Grade             6^th

Program        An Archaeological Discovery

Goal               This archaeological adventure will enable students to apply many of their scholastic abilities while learning new skills to discover how archaeologists help tell the story of the human past.  This 2-day program will include a session at the DDC and a field trip to the Calico Early Man Site for a hands-on experience at a real archeological dig.

Closing the Loop

Grade             3^rd-6^th

Program       Exploring Integrated Waste Management and Resource Conservation

Goal               This curriculum is designed to introduce students to integrated waste management through awareness, understanding, and action, and to encourage students to address today’s solid waste problems.  The lessons focus on becoming aware of natural resources and understanding alternatives to burying waste through reducing, reusing, and recycling, thereby conserving natural resources and extending the life of landfills. 

Grade           3^rd-6^th

Program      Organics and Agriculture/Nutrition/Fitness Kickball

Goal             This program is made to increase student’s knowledge of their food and what processes are required to produce it.  Also to inform the repercussions of certain agricultural practices during production and what alternatives can reduce such consequences. 

Grade           3^rd-6^th

Program       Nutrition/Fitness kickball

Goal              Student assesses what a healthy diet is and the long-lasting results of their dietary choices through role-playing the possible disabilities that would result.  They gain basic knowledge of the circulatory systems role in their lives and ways to perpetuate health with activity.

Environmental Stewardship

Grade             5^th

Program        Leave No Trace Ethics

Goal               Will enable students to make better environmental decisions while enjoying recreational activities.  Leave No Trace promotes minimum impact skills that apply to all outdoor enthusiasts, and are strongly supported by all four federal land agencies.