Third Grade Classroom Programs

THIRD GRADE CLASSROOM PROGRAMS

The Asombro Institute can bring a bit of hands-on science and the desert to your classroom. All programs provide an opportunity for students to learn about science through hands-on activities. Each program is aligned with the New Mexico STEM Ready! science standards (including the Next Generation Science Standards) and Common Core mathematics and English Language Art standards, where appropriate. Please call the Asombro Institute office (575-524-3334) to schedule your classroom presentations.

 

  • Where: In your classroom
  • Cost: $60 for first presentation; $30 for additional, same-day presentations (additional travel charges may apply for schools outside Las Cruces, NM – $25 + 45 cents per mile)
  • Maximum Group Size: 1 class per presentation (exceptions on an individual basis)
  • Length: Approximately one hour per presentation (some lessons are multi-day)

 

Asombro provides programming in all four science disciplines in the NGSS curriculum: life science; physical science; earth & space science; and engineering, technology, & applications of science. Please scroll down to see our specific program offerings. A brief description of the program and applicable science standards are listed for each lesson. Click the science standard to read more on the Next Generation Science Standards website.

 

 

Life Cycles

Students will learn about life cycles in a variety of organisms. They will use models to discover that even though there are differences in life spans of various organisms, all organisms share common life cycle stages, including birth, growth, reproduction, and death. Students will then set up an experiment to help solve a real-world problem involving life cycle stages in mealworms.

 

SCIENCE STANDARDS ADDRESSED

 

3-LS1-1 Develop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all have in common birth, growth, reproduction, and death.

 

Desert Stories

Desert Stories consists of three, hour-long lessons delivered by staff from the Asombro Institute for Science Education in your classroom and schoolyard.

 

Lesson 1 – Students receive a “mystery object” (yucca seed pod) and listen to a reading of Night Life of the Yucca: The Story of a Flower and a Moth to determine what their mystery object is. They complete a yucca life cycle model as a class then assemble the yucca moth life cycle model on their own.

 

Lesson 2 – Students complete a scientific investigation to discover the common number of insect holes in yucca seedpods. They will measure, create graphs, and read and answer questions to better understand their results and conclusions.

 

Lesson 3 – Students practice skills with a second scientific investigation on yucca roots and leaves. They will measure, convert feet to inches, graph, and describe their results and conclusions. They will also investigate a yucca leaf model to learn how yucca leaves are adapted to an arid environment.

 

SCIENCE STANDARDS ADDRESSED

 

3-LS1-1 Develop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all have in common birth, growth, reproduction, and death.

 

3-LS4-3 Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.