Ferry Beach Ecology School Lessons

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Ferry Beach Ecology School Lessons ABCs of Ecology \| Beach & Dunes \| Forest \| Coastal Watersheds \| Nature at Night \| Astronomy \| Climate & Geology \| Camp Ellis Erosion Study \| Town Meeting \| Marine Lab \| Tide Pools \| Connections \| Student Choice \| Eco Carnival \| Winter Ecology \| World Within Your Watershed
The lessons below represent our Residential and Field Trip lessons, presented at our site in Saco, Maine. Many of these lessons can also be adapted and delivered at your site as classroom and schoolyard ecology programs, with FBES staff traveling to your school for programming.
ABCs of Ecology The ABCs of Ecology lesson is an introductory lesson which will equip students with the knowledge they need to further investigate ecosystems. They will explore the four key concepts of the ABCs: abiotic factors, biotic factors, cycles and change. Understanding these four basic ecology terms gives them the tools they need to compare many different ecosystems.
Beach & Dunes (Tide Dependent) During the Beach & Dunes lesson, students spend time comparing the beach and dune ecosystems, as well as combing the beach for organisms such as surf clams, moonsnails, sand dollars and sand worms. Students also learn about the amazing adaptations beach organisms have developed which enable them to survive and flourish in the harsh sandy intertidal environment. Students also have a chance to witness human impact on dunes and beaches firsthand, as the FBES buildings stand directly on top of a secondary dune ecosystem.
Forest The Forest lesson focuses on the diverse community of organisms in the forest and incorporates the non-living factors that make such diversity possible. Standing snags and rotting logs reveal habitats for everything from squirrels to salamanders. Tree stumps become National Parks for insects in one popular activity. The abundance of fungi and easily visible rotting material on the forest floor brings the process of decomposition to life for students. back to top
Coastal Watersheds (Tide Dependent) In the Coastal Watersheds lessons, students learn about watersheds and how all the land is connected by them. They will have a chance to explore a salt marsh, a very important part of east coast watersheds and discover the unique properties of them.
Nature at Night (Evening Lesson) Nature at Night concentrates on getting students comfortable with being out-of-doors at night. Students will have a chance to explore the woods at dusk, learn about adaptations of nocturnal animals and use their 5 senses to better understand the night.
Astronomy (Evening Lesson) During the Astronomy lesson students learn about the night sky as it is understood today and as it has been understood by various cultures through out human existence. Students will explore our solar system, stars and the greater universe.
Climate & Geology The Climate and Geology lesson focuses on how abiotic factors such as soil type, wind, water, temperature variation, available sunlight, and disturbance affect ecosystems. Students will explore geologic and climatic changes over time-- they will be introduced to the concepts of soil formation and how global climate change has radically transformed Ferry Beach and the entire Saco area over the last 15,000 years. The geology portion of the lesson involves comparing soils in different ecosystems, while the climate section examines the importance of factors such as the make-up of the atmosphere, seasons, wind, rain, and global climate change. back to top
Camp Ellis Erosion Study The Camp Ellis Erosion Study lesson involves an in-depth study of the erosion problem in Camp Ellis, focusing on the construction of the Camp Ellis breakwaters (jetties) in 1872 and the ensuing erosion problem which has caused dozens of houses to fall into the sea. This lesson illustrates the human history of Saco-Biddeford that led up to the construction of the jetties, and how the construction of the jetties has disrupted the natural dynamics of the Saco Bay system.
Town Meeting The Town Meeting is an appropriate introduction or follow-up to the Camp Ellis Erosion Study, and begins with background information regarding a genuine environmental problem affecting an existing community in southern Maine. The lesson gives students a chance to role play and propose their own solution to this ecological challenge. *This lesson is also offered as an Outreach program, with FBES staff traveling to schools to deliver this lesson as a classroom program.

Marine Lab The Marine Lab lesson is an excellent lesson on its own, but especially meaningful prior to a visit to the Tide Pools. Students become acquainted with the feeding adaptations and identification of intertidal organisms. They will learn where to find these animals in the cross-section of the rocky shore, and how to handle them safely. Students will visit several “stations” where they get to examine live specimens, and utilize exploratory information sheets. *This lesson is also offered as an Outreach program, with FBES staff traveling to schools. Preference will be given to schools committed to additional lessons with FBES. back to top
Tide Pools (Tide Dependent) The Tide Pool lesson takes place at the East Point Audubon Preserve, about a 25 minute bus ride from our site. The rocky shore provides a perfect companion lesson to the Beach and Dunes lesson. Students investigate how changing one abiotic factor- the geologic substrate-- has an effect on the diversity of life that can exist there. Because of its stable bedrock substrate, the rocky shore supports an incredible diversity of life, while the shifting sands of the beach make it difficult for most creatures to live there.
Connections The Connections lesson ties together all of the ecosystems students have learned about while at FBES and examines how the students fit into their environment. They will spend time in the Ferry Beach Ecology School green building and organic gardening.
Student Choice The Connections lesson ties together all of the ecosystems students have learned about while at FBES and examines how the students fit into their environment. They will spend time in the Ferry Beach Ecology School green building and organic gardening. back to top
Eco Carnival Students involved in a five-day residential program will have an opportunity to show off their new knowledge and have fun during our Eco Carnival. Each study group invents an ecological game such as Tidepool Taboo, Beach Jeopardy or Forest Charades and then spend an evening presenting and playing the games with the other groups, and replaying what they have learned over the week.
ADDITIONAL LESSONS in our OUTREACH PROGRAMS Most of the above lessons can be adapted and delivered as classroom and schoolyard ecology lessons that we can bring to your school or organization. The lessons below are two popular Outreach Programs. Please contact our Outreach Director, Meg Edstrom, meg@fbes.org, for more information about our Outreach Program and bringing the FBES magic directly to your school.
Winter Ecology How do plants and animals survive the winter months? How can snow keep creatures warm? During the Winter Ecology lesson students will discover which animals are true hibernators, track an animal across the school yard, and learn how creatures gather food for winter. *The Winter Ecology lesson tends to work best after the snow has arrived, and can also take place at our site in Saco. Spring and Fall Ecology lessons exist, as well. back to top
The World Within Your Watershed The purpose of the World Within Your Watershed lesson is to engage children in an interactive exploration of our water and how we are connected by it. Through several different hands-on activities students will learn the about the watercycle, their local watershed & the connections between all watersheds. back to top