High quality learning expeditions will focus the teaching and learning at Discovery Charter School. Learning expeditions engage students’ curiosity and motivate them to seek answers outside the classroom.
Fieldwork and research allows students to act and think like scientists, mathematicians, social scientists, data analysts -real world people with important work.
Involving students in real-life situations fosters deep engagement and interest in the world around them.
Learning Expeditions
Kindergarten
During the Tree-mendous Tree expedition, kindergarten scientists focused on everything there is to know about trees. Through hands-on exploration, students will study how trees grow, what trees need to survive, gifts that trees give, and why trees should be advocated for. This expedition is extremely rich in reading, writing, and science standards. As a final product, students became community activists and design a bumper sticker intended to educate others on the importance of trees.
1st Grade
The Grade 1 students conducted an in dept study of the turtles and tortoises housed at the Seneca Park Zoo. This involved exploring the science standards through expert visits, aligned anchor texts, and field work. Each student became an expert in one type of turtle/tortoise. This study concluded with student actin as Ambassadors for World Turtle Day at Seneca Park Zoo. Students shared their knowledge with patrons, and presented them with turtle trading cards containing scientifically accurate drawings and facts about specific turtle or tortoise’s habitat, diet, survival needs and interesting facts.
2nd Grade
Students in grade 2 conducted an in depth study of Rochester focusing on Social Studies and Science concepts which explored how cities change over time, observing and gather data on plant growth to determine survival needs and explored the Rochester Communities with a specific focus on George Ellwanger the famous horticulturist who changed and beautified the Rochester landscape. Students toured the Lamberton Conservatory and shared with the community scientifically accurate native plant drawings, along with facts about George Ellwanger as part of their community service project.
4th Grade
During the spring expedition, fourth grade students studied different areas of science and what is means to be a scientist. Students became familiar with the implications science has on their everyday lives. They also met and interviewed different scientists across the nation. To demonstrate their learning, students created a science fair project based on 4th grade science concepts — electricity, magnetism, measurement, volume, force and motion, matter, mass, etc. These projects were put on display as a science fair for students, families, and visitors.
