For years, scientists have worked to understand the changes that occur in trees and shrubs during autumn. Although we don't know all the details, we do know enough to explain the basics to help you enjoy nature's multicolored display. Three factors influence autumn leaf color:

- leaf pigments

- length of night

- weather

The timing of color changes and the onset of falling leaves is primarily regulated by the calendar as nights become longer. None of the other environmental influences – such as temperature, rainfall, food supply – are as unvarying as the steadily increasing length of night during autumn. As days grow shorter, and nights grow longer and cooler, biochemical processes in the leaf begin to paint the landscape with Nature's autumn palette.

To see more resources, see the US Forest Service's webpage.

For lesson plans and other resources, click here.

Through education, research and management, DNR's Wildlife Conservation Section safeguards Georgia's native diversity of wild animals, plants and habitats while also encouraging outdoor enjoyment. We recognize 2020 has been particularly challenging for teachers. To help educators during these unprecedented times, we are pleased to offer a $1,000 grant to an elementary school teacher (K–5, including science specialists) who demonstrates exceptional energy and innovation in teaching life sciences.

Prospective teachers must use Georgia’s native animals, plants and habitats as the context for covering Georgia Standards of Excellence. Although this grant emphasizes life science, cross-curricular teaching is highly encouraged. Preference will be given to teachers who demonstrate creativity in project design and use the outdoors as a context for learning. Lessons may be conducted in-person (on school grounds) or remotely (online). Projects that highlight rare wildlife, including plants, will receive extra consideration.

To apply, submit a Word document or PDF with your contact information as well as answers to the point-weighted questions regarding your proposed project to Anna Yellin at anna.yellin@dnr.ga.gov.

The deadline to apply is November 20, 2020.

Whether you’re a teacher who needs to share easy-to-implement content with your students, or you’re a parent striving to best engage and educate your child at home, you’ll find these materials relevant and fun! With engaging, self-paced slideshows, these activities can be self-guided for kids in grades 3-8, while K-2 learners will probably need an adult guide.

Being in nature decreases stress and boosts creativity, so encourage kids to complete the outside portions as much as possible.

To help students get the most out of the activities, we recommend you start with week one and complete the activities in order. But here are a few options for grouping if you have limited time.

• Life Cycles – Activities 2-4
• Backyard Birds – Activity 5 & 9
• Birds Around the World – Activity 1 & 8

Join our special mailing list to receive periodic updates with activities and ideas to your inbox.

Module titles include How Is Climate Really Changing? (climate change); Where Will the Next Big Earthquake Hit? (tectonics); Where Will We Find the Next Earth? (exoplanets); How Are Island Lizards Changing in the Skyros Archipelago? (population divergence); What Happened When Wolves Were Reintroduced to Yellowstone? (trophic cascades); and How Will Snowshoe Hares Survive a Changing Climate? (polymorphism).

https://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/

https://www.worldwildlife.org/teaching-resources

The sandhill habitats of Georgia’s Coastal Plain are home to many rare species of wild animals and plants. To highlight this important landscape, its features and inhabitants, Georgia DNR and partners created the “Teacher Guide to Georgia Sandhills.”

This instructional resource is geared towards third- and fourth-grade teachers, although lessons may be modified for other grade levels and non-formal settings. Hands-on activities introduce students to sandhill ecosystems as well as hone decision-making and problem-solving skills. Lessons are adapted from Project WILD curricula and are correlated to Georgia Standards of Excellence for Science.

We hope you find the “Teacher Guide to Georgia Sandhills” both interesting and useful. Through education, we can increase awareness and instill appreciation for Georgia’s wildlife and habitats to ensure their conservation for future generations.

https://georgiawildlife.com/SandhillsTeacherGuide

Teacher Guide PDF

Step 1: To get started, visit the GaDOE community website via this link, select "Create an Account" and follow the prompts for setting up a new account on the platform.

Step 2: Once you have completed your account you will have to wait briefly for activation/approval. Once approved, you are ready to join a group! Navigate to the "Groups" section. For science teachers and leader, there are several groups available to join: Select and join the groups you are most interested in.

Email: donald.white@cowetaschools.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/cowetaschools.net/coweta-science/home
Location: 167 Werz Industrial Boulevard, Newnan, GA 30263
Phone: 770-254-2800
Twitter: @dwhitesciguy