TEAM DNR

TEAM DNR Classroom and Outdoor Programs

TEAM DNR currently offers schools four different classroom programs and one outdoor program. Each program has 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.
  • Schools can request different programs on separate days.
  • 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.

Description of TEAM Programs
 

Chesapeake Bay Rivers

Chesapeake Bay Watershed
(Appropriate for grades 3 to 8)
Time: 45 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 through a participating activity.

 
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. Several 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 will 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 6 to 8)
Time: 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, formulate conclusions about the condition of the stream and make recommendations for future action. This is the optional, field-based component of the Maryland Streams program. The Stream I program is a prerequisite for this program.

Program Materials

 
Horseshoe crabs

Horseshoe Crabs
(Appropriate for grades 3 to 8)
Time: 45 minutes
Class size: 30 students max.

This is an interactive program designed to introduce students to the Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus. Students learn about a horseshoe crab’s anatomy and life history. They will be able to identify some of the horseshoe crab management issues facing Maryland. 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. Drawing and reading activities allow kinesthetic and visual learners to understand and appreciate oyster's and the reefs they create. 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.