TEAM DNR

TEAM DNR Classroom and Outdoor Programs

TEAM DNR currently offers schools four different classroom programs and one outdoor program. Some programs have pre and post visit activities to enhance the experience of your students. These programs are available upon request of the classroom teacher or school administrator.

When ordering TEAM programs, follow these instructions:

  1. Before requesting a program, please check the program description, appropriate grade level, and the length of each program. They are listed below.
  2. Next, e-mail Chris Hintz at chintz@dnr.state.md.us to find available dates for your program.
  3. Then, fill out the request form.

Please note the following guidelines:

  • TEAM can do a maximum of 3 of the same programs per day with one exception. For our Maryland Streams II program only 2 per day can be ordered.
  • We need to remain in the same classroom for multiple classes.
  • Schools can request different programs on separate days.
  • Please keep the programs back-to-back when scheduling, with a 10 minute break between classes. It is ok to have a short lunch break between classes, e.g. two classes back-to-back in the a.m., a lunch break, and the last program right after lunch.
  • A teacher is required to be in the class at all times during all classroom programs.
  • At least 1 teacher and 2 parent chaperones are required for the Streams II field-based program.
  • Please be flexible. TEAM is a volunteer-based program. The availability of our volunteer educators determines the extent to which TEAM can provide classroom services.
  • If you have students with special needs or if this is a special needs class, please make sure you note this on the Teacher Request Form in the Notes section so that our volunteers will know in advance and can adjust as needed.

Description of TEAM Programs
 

Chesapeake Bay Rivers

Chesapeake Bay Watershed
(Appropriate for grades 3 to 8)
Time: 50 minutes
Class size: 35 students max.

An interactive program designed to give students a clear understanding of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the consequences of human activities on the Bay. Students discover where they live in the watershed and get a feel for its geographic size. They learn about some of the creatures that live in specific habitats found throughout the watershed and about non-point source pollution in a hands-on activity called "Who Polluted the River."

 
stone fly

Maryland Streams I
(Appropriate for grades 6 to 8)
Time: 90 minutes
Class size: 30 students max.

This interactive program is designed to educate students about Maryland stream habitats and the macroinvertebrate community living within them. Students are introduced to Maryland streams, their habitats and benthic macroinvertebrates. Two hands-on activities help students learn to identify stream macroinvertebrates down to taxonomic order by looking at specific body features. They also learn about the habitat requirements of each species and how they are used as an indicator of water quality. This program and supplemental materials is meant to prepare the students for an actual field investigation of a Maryland stream.

Program Materials


Students learn how to sample and evaluate the health of a local stream.

Maryland Streams II
(Appropriate for grades 4 to 8)
Time: 90 - 120 minutes
Class size: 30 students max.
Parent Chaparones Recommended

Streamside, students conduct a field investigation of a local stream. They learn how to sample and evaluate the health of a local stream. Teams of students collect and analyze relevant stream data, identify benthic macroinvertebrates in a field setting and formulate conclusions about the condition of the stream. Recommendations for future action may be discussed. This is the optional, field-based component of the Maryland Streams program. The Streams I program is a prerequisite for this program.

Program Materials

 
Horseshoe crabs

Horseshoe Crabs
(Appropriate for grades 3 to 8)
Time: 50 minutes
Class size: 30 students max.

This program is designed to introduce students to the Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus. Students learn about a horseshoe crab’s anatomy and life history as well as their importance to three major groups. The program closes with a participatory activity that reinforces their knowledge of these amazing creatures.

Program Materials

 

oyster mass Oyster Reefs
(Appropriate for grades 3 to 6)
Time: 60 minutes
Class size: 30 students max.

This program educates students about basic oyster biology and the ecology of oyster reefs. Students will examine oyster shells while doing a "lab" activity to help them understand this. In addition, an interactive activity teaches them the relationship between the oyster reefs and the community of organisms they support. Several extensions are provided to the teacher.

Program Materials

 

Chesapeake Watermen
(Appropriate for grades 2-5)
Time: 75 minutes

This is an interactive program designed to help students understand the culture and history of the Chesapeake Bay waterman. The students learn about the role that watermen play in our everyday lives and get a glimpse of the many different types of watermen through role-playing activities.