Discover Carolina School programs
More information is available at discovercarolina.com

For 5th grade students…
Aquatic Ecology – As “Aquatic Ecologists,” students conduct field investigations of biotic and abiotic factors at a stream and a lake at Paris Mountain State Park, including actually getting in the creek with rubber boots. Students collect organisms, measure temperature and pH, and then come in to the lab to view their finds under the microscope, and assess the water quality at the park.

Program length: 2 hours.

In addition to this program, students will go on a standards-based hike around Lake Placid. Teachers can choose either Forest Ecology, or Creative Writing for the focus of the Lake Placid hike. All students who go on the Creative Writing version of the hike receive their own Creative Writing Journal, provided by Paris Mountain State Park Friends.

For 2nd grade students…
Life Cycling – As ‘Biologists,’ students conduct life cycle field investigations in a creek and on land, as they collect animals, measure water/air temperature and measure the length of animals found. These animals are then made larger than life with the park microscopes and TV monitor. Emphasis is on classifying and comparing animals according to life cycle stages, metamorphosis, and the need for habitat in all stages of life.

Program length: 2 hours.

In addition to this program, students will go on a Life Cycling Hike around Lake Placid.

When: Mondays through Thursdays, September – November, and March through May.

Cost: $40. for every 20 students ($80 for 40 students, $120 for 60)

How to register: Contact the Interpretive Ranger at ctaylor@scprt.com, or at 864-244-5565. Registration starts in August, and fills quickly.

Typical program schedule when 2 classes come
(let’s call them classes A & B)
9:15 Group arrives at picnic flats parking area
Class A to Ecology (5th gr.) or Life Cycling (2nd gr.) program
Class B to Nature Hike around lake
11:00 Class B has lunch at picnic flats
11:30 Class A has lunch at picnic flats
Class B to Ecology (5th gr.) or Life Cycling (2nd gr.) program