2025-2026 CLASSROOM PROGRAMS
The La Porte County SWCD provides free natural resources and environmental programs to students in grades K-12! Programs are geared to help students make connections with the world around them and encourage students to be future environmental stewards.
To schedule a program, please contact: Destiny Harrison, Education Coordinator, at 219.326.6808 x 2112 or dharrison@laporteco.in.gov
FALL
The Water Cycle (grades K-5)
Explore the journey water makes during the water cycle. Students will participate in an activity where THEY are the water molecules moving through the earth’s surface and atmosphere.
Indiana academic science standards met: K-PS3-1, 2-ESS2-1, 2-ESS2-3, 4-LS1-1, 4-ESS2-1, 5-EES2-1, 5-ESS3-1
Soil Health and Conservation (grades 4-5)
Discuss what soil is and why healthy soil is important. Brainstorm and explore different ways to conserve our soil.
Indiana academic science standard met: 4-ESS2-1, 5-ESS3-1
Indiana Mammals (grades 2-12)
Explore Indiana mammals, their diets, and the adaptations they have for their environments. Depending on grade and teacher’s request, program can discuss conservation success stories, human impact on Indiana mammals, etc.
Indiana academic science standards met: 2-LS4-1, 3-LS1- 1, 3-LS3-1, 3-LS4-2, 3-LS4-3, 4-LS1-1, 4-LS1-2, 5-LS2-1, MS-LS2- 2, MS-LS1-4, MS-LS4-2
Native Plants (grades K-5)
Discuss what native plants are and why they are important for healthy ecosystems. Learn about native animal species that depend on native plants. Indiana academic science standards met: K-LS1-1, K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3, 1-LS3-1, 2-LS2-2, 2-LS4-1, 3-LS1-1, 3-LS4-2, 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-4, 4-LS1-1, 5-PS3-1, 5-LS1-1, 5-LS2-1, 5-ESS3-1
Bioaccumulation (grades 5-12)
Learn how toxic materials can accumulate and affect organisms in a food chain.
Indiana academic science standards met: 5-LS2-1, MS-LS2-2, HS-LS2-2, HS-LS2-3, HS-LS2-4, HS-LS2-7, HS-ENV2-2, HS-ENV4-2, HS-ENV5-3
SPRING
Trees (grades K-5)
Younger grades will learn what makes a tree, a tree! They will learn about the parts of a tree and why trees are important for the ecosystem. Older grades will review the parts of a tree and receive an introduction to tree identification with native species.
Indiana academic science standards met: K- LS1-1, K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3, 1-LS1-1, 2-LS2-1, 2-LS4-1, 2-ESS2- 1, 3-LS1-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-3, 4-LS1-1, 5-PS3-1, 5-LS1-1, 5-LS2- 1, 5-ESS3-1
Watersheds (grades 4-12)
Discuss our local watershed and water bodies, and how pollution affects our waters. Learn about the impacts of human activities on our watershed and what we can do to ensure clean water for everyone
Indiana academic science standards met: 4-LS1-1, 4-ESS2-1, 5-EES2-1, 5-ESS3-1, MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS3-1, MS-ESS2-4, MS-ESS3-3, HS-LS2-7, HS-ESS2-2, HS-ESS2-5, HS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS3-4, HS-ENV1-2, HS-ENV2-7, HS-ENV4-2, HS-ENV5-3
Pollinators (grades K-4)
Learn what pollinators are. Explore the importance of pollinators in the food chain and environment.
Indiana academic science standards met: K-LS1-1, K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3, 1-LS1-1, 1-LS1-2, 1-LS3-1, 2-LS4- 1, 2-LS2-2, 3-LS1-1, 3-LS2-1, 3-LS4-3, 4-LS1-1, 4-LS1-2
Invasive Species (grades 5-8)
Learn about invasive species, how they arrived, and why they are an issue. Students will play a “Who Done It” themed game to assist in understanding how invasive species can harm native species and ecosystems.
Indiana academic science standards met: 4-LS1-1, 5-LS2-1, 5-ESS3-1, MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5, MS-LS1-4, MS-LS1-5, MS-ESS3-3
Biodiversity (grades 3-5)
Discuss what biodiversity is and why it is important for a healthy ecosystem.
Indiana academic science standards met: 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-4, 5-LS2-1