The Science Discovery Series was authored by faculty and staff of Cook College and Rutgers Cooperative Extension in New Jersey.  It was accepted into the National 4-H Curriculum Collection via a jury review process and is now published by the National 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System (4HCCS), where it can be ordered directly from its web site.

Science Discovery Series Leader-Teacher Lesson Guide, Volume 2 4-H CCS publication BU-07915.  Revised 2003, 202 pages. To order, click here. Below are the objectives relating to subject matter being taught by each unit. Titles with hyperlinks have additional curriculum "extras" such as related online photos, web links, and other helpful resources.

Weatherwise (Meteorology - best for grades 4-7)

• The science of studying weather and climate
• Factors that affect and indicate weather and how they are studied, measured, and recorded, including temperature, wind, clouds, humidity, and air pressure
• How to analyze data and make logical, scientific conclusions
• How to observe, record, and predict the weather using basic weather instruments
• Possible careers in meteorology

What is That Tree I See? (Leaf & tree identification - best for grades 4-6)

• How to identify different parts of a tree leaf.
• How to use a leaf guide to identify trees.
• How to identify a tree by its overall shape.
• How to identify trees by their bark.

Spiderrific (Spiders - best for grades 4-6)

• Basic characteristics of insects versus arachnids.
• Why they should not be afraid of spiders.
• The basic needs of an organism to survive and utilize this information to locate spiders.
• The eating habits of spiders to learn the difference between a herbivore and a carnivore.
• The living habits of a Tarantula to determine if Tarantulas are nocturnal or diurnal and herbivores or carnivores.
• Basic types of webs and how the designs of these webs affect the functions of the webs.

Mountains High, Oceans Deep (Oceanography - best for grades 4-10)

• The size and volume of the ocean
• Why the ocean water is salty
• Maritime units of measurements
• Unit conversion
• Applied Math skills

Exploring Planet X (Space exploration - best for grades 4-7)

• Youth will simulate different observation techniques used in astronomy.
• Lessons can also be connected to math, social studies (and how different cultures, and different times have affected space exploration), and art.

Where Does Your Garbage Go? (Waste management alternatives & environmental conservation - best for grades 5-7)

• How garbage impacts our environment
• Potential waste management concerns and their solutions
• Types of waste management alternatives
• Environmental conservation and waste management terms
• Structure, design and purpose of a landfill
• Design elements and purpose of a waste-to-energy plant (incinerator)

Science Discovery Series Leader-Teacher Lesson Guide, Volume 1 4-H CCS publication BU-07914. Revised 2003, 72 pages. To order, click here. Find out about self-contained "Science Discovery Kits" based on Volume 1.  Below are the objectives relating to subject matter being taught by each unit.

Geology Where You Live (Rocks & Minerals - best for grades 3-7)

• What geology is.
• The difference between rocks and minerals.
• How rocks were formed.

Don't Trash The Planet! (Recycling/Solid Waste - best for grades 3-6)

• A basic understanding of how the garbage they produce has an impact on the environment.
• The basics of the 3R's: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
• How they can make a difference by reducing the amount of garbage going into landfills.
• How to make changes in the way they purchase and dispose of products in order to benefit wildlife and the environment.

Tree-Mendous Fun (Trees - best for grades 2-3)

• How to tell a tree's age by counting its rings.
• The products that come from trees.
• How tree seeds travel.
• The parts of a tree and how they work together.

As Big As A Whale! (Whales - best for grades 4-8)

• The differences between whales and fish.
• About the Order of Cetacea.
• The wide variety of whales and their sizes.
• The size and shape of whales.
• The difference between baleen and toothed whales.
• The differences between whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
• Basic math skills (dimensions and scale).

Good To The Last Drop (Water Quality & Conservation - best for grades 3-6)

• The use and effect of water in our everyday lives.
• The movement of water in the water cycle.
• The importance of and methods for water conservation.
• The importance of and methods for maintaining water quality.

How Each Lesson is Organized
To make learn-by-doing easy and fun for the youth participants as well as the group leader, lessons are organized with consistent categories.

Evaluation
The "Science Discovery Series Evaluation" is used to help determine the value of each unit and its activities, and for reporting purposes. It is very brief and simple and intended to be completed each time a unit was taught. To complete an evaluation online, click here.

Keep Discovering!
A reference guide for leader-teachers to help youth find more information about science or other topics using a variety of resources from the library to the Internet. View it here.

Discover Science Kids Page
A web page with interactive fun, science-related activities and links to other useful web sites.

The Learn-by-Doing Approach of 4-H
4-H is recognized for making learning fun and for encouraging kids to try new things for themselves. 4-H curricula are just as focused on teaching youth important life skills than any specific subject matter. Even though the 4-H Science Discovery Series is about science, it is really more about youth learning to think and learn and apply what they have learned to their lives and surroundings. Find out how to enhance teaching about science by using this approach which is fun for both the learner and teacher!

NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards
To help NJ-based educators (whether in-school teachers, home-schooling parent-teachers, or others) meet learning objectives, effort has been made to connect Science Discovery Series educational activities with the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards set by the NJ Department of Education. These standards may also be helpful for educators in other locations. Find which content standards are met by each SDS unit.

Training Workshops & Outreach Efforts

Hundreds of teachers, Extension staff, and others have been trained to use the hands-on Science Discovery Series activities to improve science education and youth development, through a variety of highly-evaluated professional development opportunities.

Credits & Accolades
The N.J. 4-H Science Discovery Series was developed by faculty and staff of Cook College and Rutgers Cooperative Extension in New Jersey.  It was accepted into the National 4-H Curriculum Collection via a jury review process.  Learn about the authors and accolades the Science Discovery Series has received.

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