Pathfinders Academy

Science Explorers: Nature Detectives (Grades TK-1)

Days: Fridays

Time: 10:05-11:00

Location: Fillmore Library (502 2nd St, Fillmore, CA 93015)

Program Description:

Science Explorers is a hands-on, integrated science program designed for curious learners in Transitional Kindergarten through First Grade. Through exploration, observation, and investigation, students discover how scientists learn about the natural world while building foundational science and engineering skills.

Rather than learning science through lectures or worksheets, students learn by doing science. Each class begins with an engaging question or natural phenomenon that encourages students to observe, investigate, experiment, and solve problems. Through hands-on activities, nature exploration, simple engineering challenges, discussion, art integration, and Field Journal entries, students develop curiosity, confidence, and critical thinking while building a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Together we will explores the connections between living things and the environments they depend on. Students investigate how plants grow, how weather and sunlight influence life, why healthy soil matters, how pollinators support ecosystems, and how organisms depend on one another to survive. Along the way, students apply what they learn by designing solutions inspired by nature through age-appropriate engineering challenges.

Although students in Transitional Kindergarten through First Grade participate in the same investigations, expectations are developmentally appropriate. Younger learners communicate their ideas through observations, discussions drawings, and simple models, while older students are encouraged to record evidence, label diagrams, explain their thinking, and communicate their discoveries with increasing independence.

NGSS Alignment

This program is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and emphasizes the Science and Engineering Practices, including asking questions, making observations, planning and carrying out investigations, developing and using models, constructing explanations, and designing solutions. Students also explore important crosscutting concepts such as patterns, cause and effect, systems, and structure and function while developing foundational understanding in life science, earth science, physical science, and engineering.

Off-Site Program Note

Because this course is offered at an off-site location, a parent or guardian is required to remain on site for the duration of the class. This helps ensure a supportive and safe learning environment for all students while allowing the class to run smoothly within our shared community space.

Please note that this course is subject to cancellation or postponement based on enrollment.

Lesson 1: Nature's Sorting Hat

Objective: Classify living and nonliving objects using observable characteristics.
Primary Focus: Life Science

Lesson 2: Exploring What Plants Need to Grow & Reproduce

Objective: Investigate what plants need to survive, grow, and reproduce.
Primary Focus: Life Science

Lesson 3: Growing with the Seasons

Objective: Observe how seasonal weather changes affect living things.
Primary Focus: Earth Science

Lesson 4: Sunlight Powers Plants

Objective: Investigate how sunlight provides energy for plant growth.
Primary Focus: Physical Science & Life Science

Lesson 5: Light & Shadows in Nature

Objective: Explore how the Sun's position changes shadows throughout the day.
Primary Focus: Physical Science

Lesson 6: Soil Investigations

Objective: Compare different soils and determine which best support plant growth.
Primary Focus: Earth Science

Lesson 7: Nature's Recyclers

Objective: Discover how decomposers recycle nutrients back into the soil.
Primary Focus: Earth Science & Life Science

Lesson 8: Pollinators at Work

Objective: Investigate how insects and other animals help plants reproduce.
Primary Focus: Life Science

Lesson 9: Biodiversity Hunt

Objective: Compare the variety of living things found in different habitats.
Primary Focus: Life Science

Lesson 10: Discovering Ecosystems

Objective: Explore how plants, animals, and their environment depend on one another.
Primary Focus: Life Science

Lesson 11: Engineering Animal Homes

Objective: Design and build a shelter that meets the needs of a chosen animal.
Primary Focus: Engineering

Lesson 12: Building Strong Nature Structures

Objective: Investigate how shape, materials, and design affect the strength of structures.
Primary Focus: Engineering & Physical Science

*This outline is subject to change as investigations evolve and student interests guide inquiry.