GETSCHOOLED

Education Program

One Market Square SERoanoke, VA 24011540.342.5700centerinthesquare.org

Bye Bye Bycatching

One of the major issues with commercial fishing isbycatching. Students will learn what bycatching is and how it happens. They will graph the sea creatures “caught” and brainstorm possible solutions to reduce bycatching.

SOL Connections: K.1, K.2, K.13, K.14, K.15, 1.1, 1.5, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

Pre K-1st 2nd-4th

Old as Earth

Earth is approximately 4.6 billion years old and oceans have been here for 3.8 billion years. Students will explore the geologic time scale along with the concept of million and billion by making a necklace depicting major events in Earth’s history.

SOL Connections: 2.1, 2.5, 3.1, 4.1

Although it looks hard, coral is a living organism that provides structure for reef habitats. Students will discover basic characteristics of living things and why hard coral is alive. They will also build an edible model of a hardcoral polyp.

SOL Connections: K.1, K.6, 1.1, 1.5

Is It Alive?

Seahorses are very unusual fish. Students will discover the body parts of a seahorse and how they work. They will create their very own “pet” seahorse.

SOL Connections: K.1, K.6, 1.1, 1.5

There’s Something Fishy About Seahorses

Many reef organisms depend on theircoloration to help them blend into theirsurroundings. Students recognize how and why camouflage is effective for evading prey by creating their own camouflaged fish. After, they will hide it and search for other students’ fish.

Camo Creatures

SOL Connections: K.1, 1.1, 1.5

Mucus is a beneficial substance for many organisms,especially fish. Several coral reef species use mucus to cover their scent and/or protect themselves. Students will learn how certain fish use mucus by getting hands onexperience with lab made mucus.

SOL Connections: 2.1, 2.5, 3.1, 3.4, 4.1, 4.5

It’s Snot WhatYou Think

Each turtle species, both freshwater and salt water, have a unique shell pattern. Students will observe turtle shells and discover that turtle species can beidentified by shell pattern.

SOL Connections: 2.1, 3.1, 3.4, 4.5

Shell Shock

Coral reefs provide plentiful amounts of food in many different forms. Different fish have different mouthparts that dictate what kind of food they eat on the reef. This helps the animals find their “feeding niche.” Students will correlate different types of mouth parts to the types of food available on a coral reef.

SOL Connections: 2.1, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, 4.5

What’s For Dinner?

3rd-5th

Lesson: Let’s Make A Deal

Coral reefs are the most biodiverse ocean environment in the world. The symbiotic relationships between certain organisms are responsible for the biodiversity. Students will discover the importance of the relationships between certain organisms by playing a modified version of “Let’s Make A Deal.”

SOL Connections: 3.6, 4.5, 5.5, 5.6

Swimming to Survive

The Roanoke Logperch is an endangered fish foundprimarily in the Roanoke River. Students will play a game to explore the basic life needs of organisms and discover why the Roanoke Logperch is endangered.

SOL Connections: 3.10, 4.5, 5.5, 5.7

Organisms develop both physical and behavioraladaptation to help them survive on the reef. Students will discover how fish adaptations help them escape predators through games and pictures.

SOL Connections: 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4.5, 5.5, 5.6

Survivor: Coral Reef Edition

Jellyfish are not actually fish; they are cnidarians (like coral). Jellyfish protect themselves using nematocysts, cell equipped with harpoon-like “stingers.” Students will explore how jellyfish use nematocysts to capture pretty bymaking one out of paper and thread.

SOL Connections: 3.4, 4.5, 5.5

Paper Harpoons

Add Pinball to your trip!

Stay and play…but be careful…you might just

learn something!Add the interactive experience of the

Roanoke Pinball Museum to any lesson or activity. Kids will be introduced to the history of pinball, the science behind the

game, and have an opportunity toappreciate the color, composition and overall design of the backglasses and

playfields. SOL-compliant curriculum and educational resources will be available to

students and teachers to reinforce their visit to the museum.

All experiences can be customized.Please contact us for a quote.

Thanks to our Sponsors

Website: http://www.centerinthesquare.orgScheduling: http://supersaas.com/schedule/Center_in_the_Square/Get_Schooled!

Email: education@centerinthesquare.orgPhone: 540-342-5778

Curriculum developed by Muddy Squirrel

Center in the Square is home to a magnificent 8,000 gallon Living Reef Aquarium. This aquarium is home to over 400 beautiful marine fish and 150 soft and stony corals. It is the largest of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic. There are also two 300 gallon cylindrical jellyfish tanks and a 400 gallon Tidal Tank that are home to seahorses, urchins, and various other intertidal marine organisms. In addition to our saltwater aquariums, we have a 400 gallon Roanoke River aquarium, which is home to the endangered Roanoke Logperch. We also have a Turtles of Virginia tank that features three different species of turtles found throughout Virginia. These six aquariums serve as an excellent medium for teaching our SOL-based curriculum.

Center’s multi-level green roof offers spectacular views of downtown Roanoke and the mountains of the Roanoke Valley as well as serving as a venue for entertainment functions. A significant portion of the fifth floor was opened and re-enclosed in a dynamic skylight as part of the new butterfly habitat. In addition, many of the latest sustainable, green, and energy-harnessing technologies have been incorporated into the rooftop experience for both their operational effectiveness and educational aspects. This awe-inspiring rooftop is one of the most innovative on the East Coast. Feel free to take advantage of the views of Roanoke while eating your lunch.

In 2015, Center in the Square established the Roanoke Pinball Museum. This museum is home to 46 machines ranging from 1948-2003. Not only can you play pinball, but you can also learn about the history of pinball, the science behind the game, and have an opportunity to appreciate the color, composition, and overall design of the backglasses and playfields.