Middle School

K-12 Group Programs are designed to immerse students in Crystal Springs Preserve's 525 acre Living Laboratory.  There is a variety of amazing wilderness experiences available for your group.  Our educators are flexible and want to give your students the best experience possible.  If there is a program or experiment that you would like to do, please let us know and we will work with you to execute the program that you want.

Most programs will include a hike through our amazing habitats and a trip across our boardwalks.  

All programs are aligned to the National Science Standards, Sunshine State Standards and Next Generation Sunshine State Standards.  Programs include hands on activities and outdoor experiences.

Programs may be combined and often customized to meet the needs of your students.
Modern restrooms and water fountains are available. A minimum of 15 students is required to reserve your program.

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Programs

What's In Your Water?
Grades: 6-8
Capacity: 100 people
Length: 2 hrs
Description: What's In Your Water? This program is an in-depth hands-on experience. The students will collect and analyze water samples from around the preserve. Using both chemical and electronic testing devices, they will determine dissolved oxygen, pH, and other basic chemical levels. Students will be guided throuh a discussion of their results and explore how these levels effect the overall health of the waters on the Preserve. Learn the history of the springs, from the time of the prehistoric animals to the present. Be amazed to discover how Florida's wetlands clean our water. Brainstorm what role the aquifer plays in our everyday life. Use critical thinking skills to figure out the differences between life in the river and life in the pond.

River Critter Roundup
Grades: 6-8
Capacity: 100 people
Length: 2 hrs
Description: One of our most popular programs! Take a tour of Crystal Springs Preserve and learn how the water in the spring gets to and from the aquifer. Students will do a biodiversity survey of the invertebrates and vertebrates that live in the river. Observe them under a microscope. Use your critical thinking skills to explore diversity and ecosystem health.
SSS 6-8
MA.A.4.3, MA.B.2.3.1, MA.B.4.3.2, MA.E.2.3.1, SC.D.1.3, SC.D.2.3, SC.G.1.3.3, SC.G.1.3.4, SC.G.2.3, SC.H.2.3, SS.A.6.3.5, SS.A.6.3.3
NGSSS
SC.6.N.1.2, SC.6.N.1.4, SC.6.E.6.1, SC.6.E.6.2, SC.7.E.6.6, SC.7.L.17.1, SC.7.L.17.3, SC.8.N.1.2, SC.8.N.1.6, LA.6-8.1.6.1
Note: Student should wear closed toed shoes that can get muddy and dirty.

Survival
Grades: 6-8
Capacity: 100 people
Length: 3 hrs
Description: Get lost!! Learn what it takes to survive if you ever get lost in the wilderness. Identify poisonous plants and animals you may encounter in Florida. Collect drinking water using only what you have in your lunch box. Build a shelter using only what you brought with you and the things that nature has to provide.
SSS 6-8
SC.B.2.3.1, SC.D.1.3.3, SC.D.2.3, SC.G.2.3
NGSSS
SC.6.E.7.7, SC.7.L.17.3, SC.8.L.18.1, LA.6-8.1.6.1

Tech Trek
Grades: 6-8
Capacity: 60 people
Length: 2-3 hrs
Description: Challenge your students with our high adventure wilderness course! Explore Florida's rivers and streams using both orienteering compasses and hand held GPS units. Walk over the karst rock topography of the woods and river. Students will work together in teams to map their course and learn about native plants and animals along the way.
SSS
SC.6.E.6.2, SC.7.E.6.2, SC.7.E.6.6
NGSSS
SC.D.1.3.3, SC.D.1.3.4,SC.G.1.3.3, SC.G.2.3.4

Rockin' Out with CSP
Grades: 6-8
Capacity: 60 people
Length: 2-3 hrs
Description: Come and rock out at Crystal Springs Preserve! Students will understand that hydrology, topography and soil type are key factors in determining Florida's habitats.
Students will investigate the geology of Florida by performing geological experiments on different rocks and minerals. Using water chemistry kits, students will test water samples for dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and pH. Students will perform soil tests to check soil type and pH.
SSS 6-8
SC.D.1.3.1, SC.D.2.3.2, SC.G.2.3.1, MA.E.1.3.1, MA.E.2.3.1, SS.B.2.3.6
NGSSS
SC.6.E.6.1, MA.6.S.6.2, SC.7.E.6.2, SC.7.E.6.5, SC.912.E.6.4, MA.912.S.1.1