Our mission at Belwin Outdoor Science is, "To connect children to nature through engaging outdoor science experiences." We are part of the science program in Saint Paul Public Schools. We serve over 10,000 SPPS students every year in single-day, science-focused field investigations. This includes every 3rd and 5th grade student in SPPS, about 1,000 middle and high school students and about 1,800 special education students. All SPPS teachers, however, are invited to request additional visits during our open dates.
The classes offered depend on the season of students' visit. Every 5th grade class addresses science benchmark 5.4.1.1.1, regarding plant and animal structures and how they function to help the organism survive and reproduce in a given habitat. 3rd grade and high school lessons address a variety of science benchmarks allowing the teacher to select the lessons that best supports his or her students' classroom learning.
Belwin Outdoor Science was established by a cooperative agreement between the Belwin Conservancy and the Saint Paul Public Schools District in 1971. The agreement calls for the Belwin Conservancy to provide facilities on the 225 acres that are dedicated to this program and the maintenance of those facilities. At the same time, the Saint Paul Public Schools provide the education staff and transportation for the students to the facility. Other districts may participate in the program when invited by the Saint Paul Public School District.
The facilities are made up of a 5,000 square foot main classroom building, an additional classroom that serves as the hub for our special education programs, the Casby Observatory (managed by the Minnesota Astronomical Society), 8 miles of trails through a terrain of a prairie, oak savannas, pine forests, oak forests, ponds, a marsh, and a stream. Approximately a half mile of this is hard surfaced specifically to allow ease of access by wheelchairs. Since 1971 over 500,000 students have visited Belwin Outdoor Science.
Belwin Outdoor Science is located at:
1553 Stagecoach Trail S.
Afton, MN 55001
Phone: 651-744-7967
Find out what the weather will be like in Afton on the day of your visit...
WeatherBug website for zip code 55001
Weather can change a lot throughout the day, so we recommend dressing in layers. We also request that only closed-toe shoes are worn on the day of your visit.
Note: We take donations of warm winter boots, snow pants (5th grader size and larger) and winter coats. Please send any donations with your child on the day of their visit. Thanks!
Last year more than 2,000 students and teachers took part in the program dedicated to Specialized Services.
All courses for grades 1-3 address the MN Science Benchmark 3L.4.2.1.1 "Obtain information from various types of media to support an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. (P: 8*, CC: 4, CI: LS1)"
● *NOTE: Belwin substitutes P: 3 - Planning and carrying out investigations in place of P8.
● CC 4 - Systems and System Models
● CI - LSI.A Structure/function
Animal Olympics: High jump, long jump, sprint, fly! What special super-powers do animals have that can help them survive? Students will explore Belwin’s habitats from the perspective of forest and prairie animals in order to learn what animals need to stay on top of their game (P: 3). This lesson examines animal body structures and their functions through non-competitive games, and imaginative role-plays in that animal’s habitat (CI: LS1, CC:4).
Habitat Explorers: This lesson has students investigate one or more of the habitats at Belwin (P: 3). While exploring, students will identify what lives in each habitat and how those living things survive using their various body structures and how they function (CI: LS1). Special attention will be given to what is happening outside on the day of their visit.
Nature Eats: Students will investigate the question, “How do plants and animals survive here?” (P 3) Everything eats! We start by comparing sharp and flat mammal teeth (CC: 4, CI: LS1). Core vocabulary words include herbivore, carnivore and omnivore. Students will determine which type of eater is most common at Belwin and why. Extensions can include observing bird beaks and insect mouth parts (CC: 4, CI: LS1).
Nature Investigators: In this lesson, students explore along the trails looking for evidence to help them answer a science question while practicing and developing their science skills (P: 3). Students will collaborate with teammates and discuss their observations to identify the plants and animals and which habitats they are found at Belwin. Students will then dive deeper into how animals survive in Minnesota using their body structures and how they function (CI: LS1).
Predator/Prey: (Description coming soon...)
Grade 5
ORIENTEERING
Ever wonder how to get around in the wilderness without getting lost? Let us show you in our Orienteering class. Using a compass, you will find your way through various Minnesota biomes as you explore Belwin. On your journey you will discover some of the plants and animals that live here and learn about how these organisms have certain structures that help them survive. This class requires reading and basic understanding of numbers one through 360. Students will work independently away from instructor on trail. (Science Standard 5.4.1.1.1)
AQUATIC LIFE
Water Tigers, Diving Beetles, Larvae galore, and all sorts of creatures you've never seen before. Students will discover organisms that live in a pond, wetland or stream of Belwin. Organisms will be examined for structures and functions that allow them to survive in an aquatic environment. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1) Abiotic tests may also be performed to identify factors that affect organisms such as dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature and turbidity.
BIRDING
Using your observation skills identify and study some of the birds that live here and in your neighborhood. You may use tools such as binoculars, real bird parts, identification books and an ipod to help you further examine the structures that give birds the ability to survive here in Minnesota and throughout the world. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)
RADIO TRACKING
Students will understand the methodology of scientific investigations, specifically, the way that scientists use radio telemetry equipment to aid in their study of animal ranges and behavior. During this lesson students will get to use real radio telemetry equipment to find an animal in our forest! This lesson is best for students with a good understanding of the English language. Students will work independently away from instructor on trail. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Do you have an eye for a great picture? Spend the day learning techniques for taking a great picture. The outdoors will be your subject! We will photograph some of the structures on plants and animals that allow them to survive here. In the afternoon, you will select the best pictures to put on an online photo album made just for your class. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)
BELWIN BUGS
Have you ever wondered what was crawling around in the tall prairie grass or underneath the leaf litter in the forest? Let’s catch them and find out. Students will use different methods to catch bugs that live in various habitats at Belwin. Students will take a close look at adaptations that help these bugs survive. Students will also be introduced to pollinators, what they are, and the important role pollinators play in their ecosystems. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)
PRAIRIE (Fall Only)
Feel like a field scientist as you explore the prairie using a variety tools. Test the temperature, wind speed, and the amount of sunlight. You will head into the prairie grass that towers over you to identify plants and catch bugs. Take a closer look at the bugs you find by studying their structures and the functions. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1).
NATURE TRACKER (Spring Only)
This course introduces students to Citizen Science and Phenology, tracking the nature through the seasons. Students will monitor the presence or absence of signs of the seasons (bud break, flowering, bird migration, butterflies etc.). Student observations will be put in context with historical trends observed at Belwin. Questions will focus on, "Why are flowers blooming earlier than they used to?" "Why are birds returning to MN earlier in the spring?" These questions will be peppered through a geocaching-like course that explores Belwin's prairies and forests. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)
Grade 5
RADIO TRACKING
Students will understand the methodology of scientific investigations, specifically, the way that scientists use radio telemetry equipment to aid in their study of animal ranges and behavior. During this lesson students will get to use real radio telemetry equipment to find an animal in our forest! This lesson is best for students with a good understanding of the English language. Students will work independently away from instructor on trail. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
You will learn the basics of X-Country Skiing and then spend the day skiing through the woods learning about how Minnesota plants and animals are designed to function in winter. There are many hills at Belwin. Be prepared for a good workout. Dress warmly! Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)
ORIENTEERING
Ever wonder how to get around in the wilderness without getting lost? Let us show you in our Orienteering class. Using a compass, you will find your way through various Minnesota biomes as you explore Belwin. On your journey you will discover some of the plants and animals that live here and learn about how these organisms have certain structures that help them survive. This class requires reading and basic understanding of numbers one through 360. Students will work independently away from instructor on trail. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)
ADAPTATIONS OF ANIMALS
Have you ever wondered how animals stay warm and find food in our snowy Minnesota winters? This activity invites students to experiment with various types of insulation to see which is warmest. Also, learn about how animals have adaptations for survival. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)
ANIMAL INVESTIGATIONS
How do we learn about the animals that live around us? An animal investigator spends time looking for signs animals leave to learn about what animals are around and how they survive. This class introduces some of the signs animals leave and how we can learn from them. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)
WINTER SURVIVAL
How do people survive in the winter? This class focuses on how people have adapted to the cold by studying the animals around us. You will explore how animals survive the winter and how humans have used fire and shelter to live in cold environments. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Do you have an eye for a great picture? Spend the day learning techniques for taking a great picture. The outdoors will be your subject! We will photograph some of the structures on plants and animals that allow them to survive here. In the afternoon, you will select the best pictures to put on an online photo album made just for your class. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)
BIRDING
Using your observation skills identify and study some of the birds that live here and in your neighborhood. You may use tools such as binoculars, real bird parts, identification books and an ipod to help you further examine the structures that give birds the ability to survive here in Minnesota and throughout the world. Science Standard (5.4.1.1.1)
Two lessons for secondary science have been very popular. Indeed these two courses take advantage of Belwin's greatest strengths which include comparisons of a variety of habitats and water bodies. If you would like to change these lessons or plan an entirely new lesson, please contact Belwin's Education Director, Josh Leonard at 651-744-7967 or joshua.leonard@spps.org
Eco Challenge a mildly competitive (fun!) student-led course. We enable students to lead themselves through prairie, pine and deciduous forests while measuring and comparing abiotic and biotic factors. Students will learn that a system with more light, will support more plants, and if there are more plants, there are more bugs. This basic concept can be applied to increasingly complex models, depending on your goals. Also, we can emphasize the connection between students' field work directly to climate change and how it is impacting MN.
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