Kindergarten Information for the Tompkins County Public Library
Kindergarten Information for the Tompkins County Public Library
Kindergarten Information for the Tompkins County Public Library
KDT! Resources for Teachers
Second Grade Information for the Sciencenter
Second grade classes visit the Sciencenter. The KDT! program at the Sciencenter is called Power the Future, a program in which students use the engineering design process to build model wind turbines. In addition to the engineering program, students have free time to explore the museum in chaperone groups.
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Learn more about Power the Future and find complementary pre- and post-trip activities in the Power the Future teacher resources packet, available to download here!
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Pre-Trip Activities/Lessons
We recommend watching the SciGirls episode, “Puppet Power”, to introduce your students to the engineering process. In this episode, a group of students must build prototypes, cooperate, and improve their designs to build a large puppet for a parade. The full episode is available to stream via PBS: https://www.pbs.org/video/scigirls-puppet-power/
During Your Trip
We have developed an optional Scavenger Hunt for chaperones to use while exploring the museum with your students. This tool is meant to guide student groups to different parts of the museum, and to build on the ideas presented in the Power the Future program. The scavenger hunt questions are available to print on page 4 of this document.
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Post-Trip Reflection
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After your trip - either on the bus ride back to school or back in the classroom - you may find it helpful to reflect with your students on what they accomplished during the engineering workshop. These questions will help to draw out the lesson's connections to performance expectations. Reflection Questions​
Post-Trip Ideas​
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We recommend watching the SciGirls episode, “Blowin' in the Wind”, to continue the discussion with your students about wind power and renewable energy. In this episode, a group of students design and build wind turbines after seeing a need for a clean power source. They then measure the energy output of their turbine and use it to power a birdbath. The full episode is available to stream via PBS: https://www.pbs.org/video/scigirls-tpt-blowin-wind-full-episode/
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Additional Post-Trip activities within this document.
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Learning the discourse/language used by a discipline is important for children. Here is a link to a document titled "Talk Like a Scientist/Engineer".
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​If you have any questions about your KDT! field trip experience at the Sciencenter, please reach out to fieldtrips@sciencenter.org.
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Virtual Field Experience Link
For distance learning classes and those that require a virtual trip, the Sciencenter is offering the Connect to the Ocean program. This virtual experience focuses on the connectedness of waterways and the how our actions at home can impact life in the ocean. Materials for this virtual program will be provided, so if you need to change from an in-person to a virtual trip, please reach out as soon as possible (fieldtrips@sciencenter.org) so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
KDT! Book for Second Grade
KDT! provides books to all Pre-K through fifth grade children to encourage literacy and reinforce Kids Discover the Trail! curriculum. To prolong the excitement of the trip, some teachers give the book to the children (when appropriate) on a day other than the day of the field trip. This year's 2nd Grade KDT book is "Going Places" by Peter and Paul Reynolds.
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Some helpful hints...
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Read the book aloud to the children in class before sending the book home.
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Have the children write their names in the book
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Consider using this lesson plan written by Alison Pritz and Emily Powell
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Be sure to inform families about the book in your weekly newsletters. Please alert them to the parent flier that gives ideas about how to use the book at home!
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Click Here to find a lesson written by Mary Beth McDaniel for the book
Energy Island
Click here to find lessons written by Caren Arnold for the Scholastic Clean Energy book. This book is no longer available, but since many of you still have copies, I have left the lesson plans here for you.
