School Programs
Katerina Sharp, Education and Outreach Coordinator
katerina-sharp@pickawayswcd.org
740-477-1693 ext. 4612
The Pickaway SWCD takes great strides to offer the youth of our county quality conservation education programs. The district offers numerous hands-on classroom programs covering many conservation topics that align with the Ohio Academic Content Standards.
Typically, all presentations take 30 to 45 minutes. The classroom presentations are prepared for single class occupancy, but multiple classes can sometimes be combined with advanced notice. Scheduling will be made on a first come first serve basis. Please see the sign-up form below to express your interest in a specific program.
All of our programs are free of charge to any Pickaway County school or organization. Some activities may require students to provide a recyclable item. Please view our photo gallery to see what our programs look like!
Typically, all presentations take 30 to 45 minutes. The classroom presentations are prepared for single class occupancy, but multiple classes can sometimes be combined with advanced notice. Scheduling will be made on a first come first serve basis. Please see the sign-up form below to express your interest in a specific program.
All of our programs are free of charge to any Pickaway County school or organization. Some activities may require students to provide a recyclable item. Please view our photo gallery to see what our programs look like!
Click here to see a list of programs by grade level. Programs can be altered to fit specific grade levels with advanced notice.
Agriculture
Pumpkin Patch | PreK-2nd Grade (suggested for October/Early November)
Pumpkins hold a special meaning here in Pickaway County. This lesson will teach students about the life-cycle of a pumpkin, what products are made from pumpkins and how Jack-O-Lanterns decompose.
Corn in the Classroom | PreK-6th Grade
Students learn about the four different types of corn, various uses for corn and the role that corn production plays in Pickaway County.
Pumpkins hold a special meaning here in Pickaway County. This lesson will teach students about the life-cycle of a pumpkin, what products are made from pumpkins and how Jack-O-Lanterns decompose.
Corn in the Classroom | PreK-6th Grade
Students learn about the four different types of corn, various uses for corn and the role that corn production plays in Pickaway County.
Soil
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Soil to Spoon | 3rd-4th Grade
Students learn that the food they are consuming are directly connected to soil. Students work as a class to trace back each part of a hamburger back to the soil, and then each student will get a different food that they analyze and then present to the class. Soil Tunnel | 3rd-5th Grade Interactive tunnel that students will be able to explore in order to understand the world underneath their feet. Students will identify organisms, soil types and potential pollutants. **Requires a minimum of 75 students** Topsoil Tour | 4th-8th Grade Students will become a soil scientist for a few days, through this innovative, hands-on lesson. Students will collect soil samples, and then perform a series of test for soil texture, pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium using safe, simple TesTabs® reagent tablets. |
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Geography
Augmented Reality Sandbox | 4th-9th Grade
The augmented reality sandbox is a sandbox atop a cart that uses a gaming computer, projector and Xbox camera to depict a topographic map onto the sand in the sandbox. As the sand is moved and reshaped, the projected picture on the sand changes to match the new contours of the map. Students will utilize the sandbox to learn about maps, geography, the flow of water, land forms, etc.
The augmented reality sandbox is a sandbox atop a cart that uses a gaming computer, projector and Xbox camera to depict a topographic map onto the sand in the sandbox. As the sand is moved and reshaped, the projected picture on the sand changes to match the new contours of the map. Students will utilize the sandbox to learn about maps, geography, the flow of water, land forms, etc.
Forestry
Ohio Tree Book | 9th-12th Grade
Students learn about the impact of trees in society and our environment through a lesson and activities. Students will do research on some of Ohio's common trees and create a leaf book to present to the class.
Measuring Hardness of Wood | 5th-8th Grade
Students learn about the impact of trees in society and our environment. Students will conduct an experiment to determine which types of woods are hard vs. soft, and compare the strength of dry and wet wood.
Tree Quest | 1st-4th Grade
Students learn about the different uses of a forest and what products we use on a daily basis that come from forests. Students will get to complete a crayon leaf rubbing craft.
Getting to the Core of Apples | PreK-K
Students learn about Johnny Appleseed, apples, orchards, and apple trees. Students get to color a picture and compare Ohio red, yellow and green apples by looking at color and taste.
Students learn about the impact of trees in society and our environment through a lesson and activities. Students will do research on some of Ohio's common trees and create a leaf book to present to the class.
Measuring Hardness of Wood | 5th-8th Grade
Students learn about the impact of trees in society and our environment. Students will conduct an experiment to determine which types of woods are hard vs. soft, and compare the strength of dry and wet wood.
Tree Quest | 1st-4th Grade
Students learn about the different uses of a forest and what products we use on a daily basis that come from forests. Students will get to complete a crayon leaf rubbing craft.
Getting to the Core of Apples | PreK-K
Students learn about Johnny Appleseed, apples, orchards, and apple trees. Students get to color a picture and compare Ohio red, yellow and green apples by looking at color and taste.
Waste Management
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Recycling | PreK-3rd Grade
Students identify recyclable items and do an activity. We often partner with the RPHF Solid Waste District for this program. They have lots of really cool recyclables for the students to see! Paper Making | 1st Grade-5th Grade Students learn the importance of recycling, and get to learn each component that is involved with making paper. Each student will create two pieces of paper that can be used to make a notebook to take home or use in the classroom. We often partner with the RPHF Solid Waste District for this program. Composting | PreK-3rd Grade Students learn what household products they can put into a composting bin through an interactive display board that has students match up what items are allowed to be composted. Students will also learn how, and create their own "mini" compost bins that they can take home (students must provide an empty water or pop bottle). We often partner with the RPHF Solid Waste District for this program. |
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Water
Francis the Fish | PreK-4th Grade
Students take on the role of community members and take on different careers and daily task in order to show how each individual can make an impact on the water quality of an ecosystem. Students observe as more pollutants enter the stream where Francis lives and make inferences on how the fish is feeling.
The Incredible Journey | Kindergarten-6th Grade
Students role play that they are a water molecule as it travels through the Water Cycle. They make a beaded bracelet that represents their journey which allows them to interpret how their journey is similar and different from other molecules.
Enviroscape | 3rd-7th Grade
Water pollution and Watersheds are visually demonstrated using a hands on model which allows students to see how their actions impact the environment. (Can be combined with Francis the Fish activity to extend length of activity and level of participation, suggested for Grade 3 & above)
Water CSI | 6th-8th Grade
Students will learn about water quality, and the impacts unclean water has on human health. By following a series of clues, students must determine the cause of death and illness around the streets of London in the 1800s.
Students take on the role of community members and take on different careers and daily task in order to show how each individual can make an impact on the water quality of an ecosystem. Students observe as more pollutants enter the stream where Francis lives and make inferences on how the fish is feeling.
The Incredible Journey | Kindergarten-6th Grade
Students role play that they are a water molecule as it travels through the Water Cycle. They make a beaded bracelet that represents their journey which allows them to interpret how their journey is similar and different from other molecules.
Enviroscape | 3rd-7th Grade
Water pollution and Watersheds are visually demonstrated using a hands on model which allows students to see how their actions impact the environment. (Can be combined with Francis the Fish activity to extend length of activity and level of participation, suggested for Grade 3 & above)
Water CSI | 6th-8th Grade
Students will learn about water quality, and the impacts unclean water has on human health. By following a series of clues, students must determine the cause of death and illness around the streets of London in the 1800s.
Wildlife
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Habitat Rummy | 2nd-4th Grade
Classroom lesson where students identify the four components that make up an animal's habitat (food, water, shelter and environment), match animals to their specific habitat, create habitats from play-dough and then play a card game that displays the four components that make up a habitat. Butterfly Life-Cycle | PreK-2nd Grade Students will follow a butterfly through its journey from an egg, to caterpillar, to chrysalis, and finally to a butterfly. Bird Beak Buffet | PreK-2nd Grade Students identify what each bird's food source is, and what common household tool represents the motion of the bird's beak. Students will get to practice using the items to crush the food, similar to how the birds will consume their food. Worms | PreK-3rd Grade Interactive lesson where students study live worms and the positive relationship that they have with soil. |
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Aquatic Wildlife
Macroinvertebrate Madness | 5th-8th Grade
Students will be assigned a specific macroinverterbrate during an physical education activity. Students will play a game of tag to simulate the effects of environmental stresses on macroinvertebrate populations.
Water Quality Monitoring | 6th-12th Grade
Students use nets in their investigation and exploring skills to find and identify the macroinvertebrates in a simulated stream. Groups determine the water quality of the simulated stream based on the type and number of macro-invertebrates present.
**After this activity is completed, another session can be held in a real stream.**
Students will be assigned a specific macroinverterbrate during an physical education activity. Students will play a game of tag to simulate the effects of environmental stresses on macroinvertebrate populations.
Water Quality Monitoring | 6th-12th Grade
Students use nets in their investigation and exploring skills to find and identify the macroinvertebrates in a simulated stream. Groups determine the water quality of the simulated stream based on the type and number of macro-invertebrates present.
**After this activity is completed, another session can be held in a real stream.**
Adult Programs
While the majority of our outreach education is geared towards children, we are able to coordinate adult workshops if their is community interest in a specific topic area. Below are just a few options. Please complete the above sign-up form if you would like us to do a program.
Rain Barrel Workshop
Information on basic functions of rain barrels, installation and maintenance.
Soil Health
Information on how to take a soil sample, interpreting sample results and how to keep your soil healthy.
County Conservation Tours
Tour local conservation practices around the county.
Farmland Preservation
Discusses what farmland preservation is, the economics and benefits.
Ohio Wildlife
Learn about native wildlife and protection efforts
Pickaway SWCD Services
Office offerings: Conservation and Education
Rain Barrel Workshop
Information on basic functions of rain barrels, installation and maintenance.
Soil Health
Information on how to take a soil sample, interpreting sample results and how to keep your soil healthy.
County Conservation Tours
Tour local conservation practices around the county.
Farmland Preservation
Discusses what farmland preservation is, the economics and benefits.
Ohio Wildlife
Learn about native wildlife and protection efforts
Pickaway SWCD Services
Office offerings: Conservation and Education
Pickaway SWCD | 110 Island Road, Suite D, Circleville, Ohio 43113 | Phone: 740-477-1693