Rock Eagle 4-H Center: Environmental Education
Class Descriptions
Don't forget that most of our classes have journal questions, vocabulary, and pre-post activities. Visit these sites to download the documents.
- Day classes: Ecology | Living History | Outdoor Skills | Team Building
- Evening classes: Ecology | Living History | Just for Fun!
- Independent classes: Teacher-led
Day Classes
Ecology
- Forest Ecology (up to 5th grade)
Try our new and improved forest class! Students will study the characteristics of a Georgia Piedmont forest ecosystem through the use of plot surveys. Exploring the forest floor, discovering the different characteristics of trees, examining the decaying process, and comparing plot surveys are part of this interactive class. Click here for Journal Questions.
- Forest Management (6th grade and up)
Become a forester in our new class! Students will work in plots to identify trees, to measure tree height and diameter, to identify understory vegetation, to measure slope, and to record other land characteristics. In the end, they will begin to understand how complicated forest management really is!
- Herpetology
Students get the opportunity to handle, observe, and learn about reptiles and amphibians. Characteristics and adaptations of snakes, turtles, alligators, salamanders, and more will be discussed; and many misconceptions will be dispelled about these beneficial and often misunderstood animals.
- Lake Ecology (up to 5th grade)
Be prepared to get your feet wet in this fun and fascinating class. Students will use dip nets to collect and identify common organisms found in Rock Eagle Lake. Adaptations to an aquatic environment and the role these organisms play in the environment will be stressed. Old shoes and clothes that can get wet are a must!
- Lake Assessment (6th grade and up)
Using the scientific method, students will investigate whether or not certain fish species can be raised in Rock Eagle Lake. Students will be guided through the seven steps of the scientific method while taking part in a real life field study of Rock Eagle Lake. Students will have an opportunity to collect macro-invertebrates with dip nets and conduct water quality experiments to prove or disprove their hypothesis. Old shoes and clothes that can get wet are a must!
- Watershed Studies
Explore a Piedmont watershed and discover how humans can impact local water bodies. Students will sample aquatic organisms in our streams and discuss how watershed assessment can help monitor the health of our groundwater and water bodies. Final thoughts will include discussions focusing on students' actions for a healthier watershed.
- Ornithology
Come discover the wonderful world of birds! This 2-hour class will consist of a bird walk (with binoculars and field guides) and a visit with our Rock Eagle Raptors. Bird adaptation, identification, and ecological importance will be stressed in this interactive class. Due to similarities, this class is not recommended to take with the evening class Raptors.
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Living History
- Archaeology
Come dig through the mystery of our past and learn how to set up and complete an archaeological dig. Through the use of our mock dig pits, scraping tools, screens, and mapping graphs, the students will be deciphering clues left in the soil. Students will need old clothes because they will be getting dirty!
- Native American Studies
What skills helped the Native Americans survive? Why were some games so important to the Native Americans? These are just a few of the questions students will explore during their study of Native American Skills. Students will investigate the culture of native peoples of North America through games and skills common to varying cultural periods. Specific activities could vary between classes, providing a wonderful discussion opportunity between students!
- Pioneer Tools
Students will participate in the construction and maintenance of our early 1900s homestead. Instructors will guide students in two hours worth of typical chores associated with life on the farm during this time period. Some chores could include shingle making, cutting firewood, and shaving wooden pins for frame joints.
- Rock Eagle Hike (instructor led, click here for independent led curriculum)
This 2-hour class features a hike to Rock Eagle's namesake, the Rock Eagle Mound! Once there, students will climb a 40ft tower to peer down at the effigy and speculate upon its origins.
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Outdoor Skills
- Canoeing
Basic instructions are given before students venture out onto the water to try canoeing for themselves. Canoeing techniques, water safety, and procedures will be covered by the instructor. All participants must wear a personal flotation device (life jacket) at all times.
- Orienteering
Students will be introduced to some basic orienteering skills (compass use and pacing). After being refreshed on some math concepts, students will get an opportunity to test what they've learned by venturing out onto an orienteering course or by developing their own course!
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Team Building
- Team Initiatives (any grade level)
Students will be exposed to basic team building concepts through exciting non-traditional action based activities. Without ever going on to challenge course elements, the group may focus on issues such as playing fair, understanding individual differences, and goal setting. Classes are designed to fit your group's specific needs and are sure to be a blast! This class can be mentally and physically challenging. For groups ages 5 th grade and up, Challenge Course is strongly advised to follow Team Initiatives.
- Challenge Course (5th grade and up)
This class is designed to explore basic team building concepts through a series of exciting non-traditional action based activities. Students have the opportunity to focus on issues such as goal setting, individual differences, dealing with failure, and developing strategies in an atmosphere that emphasizes the educational journey above all. Classes are designed to fit your group's specific needs and are sure to provoke critical thinking. Challenge course may include elements where appropriate and is mentally and physically challenging to groups. Challenge Course is strongly advised to follow Team Initiatives.
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Evening Classes
Evening classes are usually one hour unless stated otherwise.
Ecology
- Ichthyology
Explore the vast world of fish through our Ichthyology class, focusing on fish adaptations and characteristics. Two options are available:- External anatomy: Students will learn fish external anatomy and test their knowledge and creativity by creating a fish!
- Internal anatomy: Through perch dissection, students will explore the unique world of fish adaptations! Schools are responsible for the extra cost of fish and shipping, $1.00/student. Rock Eagle will order the fish and provide the dissecting tools.
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Night Hike
Experience the sights and sounds of nature at night. Walk along one of our many nature trails during late evening or nighttime and discover a world that many of us seldom take part in. Try to see or listen to sights and sounds in the night and identify many of the animals that only come out under the cover of darkness. A discussion of nocturnal animals and their adaptations will be included. - Sensory Awareness
Students are provided with an opportunity to explore their natural environment through sensory activities and experiences. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the senses in a nighttime setting with a variety of different activities. Activities may vary due to seasonal constraints and weather.
- Snakes (Not available if taking the Herpetology Class and limited for groups less
than 100 students.)
This hands-on class is a great introduction to one of the most feared creatures in the world — Snakes! Students (and adults) will be able to touch and hold snakes in this informative 1-hour class that dispels many of the myths about these animals.
- Raptors (Not available if taking Ornithology and limited for groups less than 100 students.)
Visit with our Rock Eagle Raptors in this one-hour class. Students will gain an understanding on the ecological importance of raptors and their special adaptations that allow them to be the top of the food chain!
- Watershed 101
What is a watershed, how do people effect it, and why should we protect it are the questions asked within this class. Students will gain an understanding of watersheds by manipulating our interactive watershed model.
- Oh Where does the Water Go?
Students will become 'water droplets' flowing through an urban watershed of a storm drain system. Discussion will encompass the various routes storm water can take after it leaves a storm drain system; the different types of pollution; and possible solutions or actions which can be taken to improve storm water quality.
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Living History
- Native American Games - (not available if taking Native American Studies)
Students will enjoy participating in authentic games played by the people indigenous to the Americas. Games were played by Native Americans not only for fun, but for building skills and sometimes by adults for solving disagreements.
- Historic Campfire (2 hour class - Limited to 3rd through 5th grade schools with less than 125 participants)
Students will be treated to an old-fashioned campfire by staff in period costumes. Nineteenth century rural music, songs, and stories will be presented with plenty of audience participation. The campfire will be held at the Scott family homestead site, about a quarter mile walk into the woods.
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Just for Fun!
- Campfire - (3rd through 6th grade only)
The campfire program at Rock Eagle provides students with an opportunity to participate in a recreational and social activity. An hour of storytelling, songs, skits, and legends around a burning campfire can be a welcome addition to your outdoor experience. Participants will be drawn to participate in the activities.
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Museum Tour - (for less than 100 students)
Take a tour of the 4-H Natural History Museum. Learn about Georgia history, plants and animals, dinosaurs, agriculture, the Rock Eagle 4-H Center story, and many other items in this fascinating glimpse of the past, present, and future.
