Winter Ecology

__Curriculum Theme__________

Winter Ecology & Adaptations

Outdoor Education Curriculum

Students will explore how organisms survive winter in the high mountains of central Colorado. Through field exploration, scientific observations, and a variety of activities, students will learn about the many different strategies organisms use to conserve energy and stay warm in the cold. This curriculum addresses the broader topic through three integrated sub-topics, focusing on animal adaptations, forest ecology in the winter, and the insulative properties of snow.

Students work their way down the trail on snowshoes during a field day.

Animal Adaptations

Program Standards:
3-LS4-3, 4-LS1-1, MS-LS4-6

Forest Ecology

Program Standards:
5-LS2-1, MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-4

Insulative Properties of Snow

Program Standards:
4-PS3-4, MS-PS3-3