Kelly Stone holds a Bachelor's degree in P–3 Early Childhood Education from The Catholic University of America and a Master's degree in Instructional Technology from the University of Nebraska Kearney. She has 25 years of experience in elementary education and currently specializes in STEM instruction for grades K–5. Kelly holds a Supervisor Certification from Caldwell University and an Environmental Sustainability Education Certification from The College of New Jersey.
This lesson introduces students to sea turtles and the human-caused dangers they face while encouraging them to create a way to help save these beautiful creatures.
Inquire: Students are introduced to sea turtle conservation and student activism through the story Follow the Moon Home by acclaimed activist Philippe Cousteau and renowned author Deborah Hopkinson.
Investigate: Students activate background knowledge of sea turtles and reflect on the dangers they face in the oceans of the world.
Inspire: Students work collaboratively to design and create a solution to one of the problems sea turtles are facing today.
This lesson introduces students to climate change and the idea that renewable energy sources are a better choice for the planet.
Step 1 - Inquire: Students generate ideas in response to the question "What is climate change?" and watch an introductory video on climate change.
Step 2 - Investigate: Students learn about renewable energy sources through the book Energy Island and compare this community to their own.
Step 3 - Inspire: Students are challenged to follow the engineering design process and plan, design, and build their own zero emissions ferry to the island of Samsø.
In this lesson, students learn about climate change, calculate their carbon footprint, and take steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
Step 1 - Inquire: Students watch a video about climate change and work in groups to discuss how they positively or negatively impact climate change in their behaviors and practices.
Step 2 - Investigate: Students calculate their carbon footprint to discover their impact on the planet.
Step 3 - Inspire: Students learn how they can reverse the impact they make on climate change and inspire others to make a difference by creating posters for their classroom, homes, and community.
In this lesson, students investigate plant growth by measuring their own plants.
Step 1 - Inquire: Students investigate a small portion of the school yard, such as a square foot, to discover what lives and grows there and then work together to answer the questions “Why are plants important for the Earth and for people?” and “What do plants need to grow?”
Step 2 - Investigate: Students watch a video about what plants need to grow and read a book to learn how gardening can transform a community and provide needed resources.
Step 3 - Inspire: Students create their own classroom garden from common items found at school and in their kitchens and predict and measure plant growth.
In this activity, students will plant seeds and make observations about plant growth. Students will measure plant growth using standard and non-standard units of measurement.
Students explore weather through observation, dance, and music, creatively expressing interpretations while discovering cultural depictions of weather in art.
Inquire: Students look at local weather patterns and observe how weather impacts their community.
Investigate: Students learn about the connection between dance and weather.
Inspire: Students use dance and movement to creatively express interpretations of weather.
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