A very short video introduction to how photosynthesis cycles energy through an ecosystem and a "real-world" application of ratios! Lindsay Hollister, JPPM's horticulturalist, taps a black walnut tree for its sap and park staff boil it down to create syrup. Included in this video are an animated food web showing the directions of energy flow during photosynthesis and when sap is "rising," which can be extended by students to include humans or more parts of their local ecosystem. Use the video as an introduction to activities about sugar and biological storage, and an excuse to sample maple syrup to taste the sugar. Alternatively, research trees nearby students could help tap and witness the biological transfer of energy themselves.

Always be sure you can successfully identify a plant before using it and take precautions to avoid negative reactions.

This resource is part of Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum’s open educational resources project to provide history, ecology, archaeology, and conservation resources related to our 560 acre public park. More of our content can be found here on OER Commons or from our website at jefpat.maryland.gov. JPPM is a part of the Maryland Historical Trust under the Maryland Department of Planning.

Director of the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory (MAC Lab), Dr. Patricia Samford, presents and demonstrates an activity for students to learn about archaeobotany, or the study of botanical finds in archaeological contexts. Using tweezers and magnifying glasses, students search for seeds mixed in sand or gravel, and use a type collection to identify their finds. What do the finds say about the archaeological environment and uses of plants at a site? Search OER Commons for "Search for Seeds - Resources" for related seed id cards and a type collection for the activity. Use to support Maryland/NGSS for Grades K and 2, or Maryland Social Studies Framework for Grade 1. For K-ESS2-2, have students perform the activity then discuss what the seeds tell them about people who would have used the plants and seeds or write a short vignette about the people at this site using the seeds and their uses as evidence. For Grade 1 Content Topic "Life in the Past," have students perform the activity and similar discussion, then compare those plants and their uses to their uses today or plants that have replaced them. For 2-LS2-1, have students perform the activity along with the planting extension. Students can plant multiples of each type of seed and try growing them in conditions with different light; students can also note how much water they give the seeds. Once sprouted, have students record and discuss their findings as to which did better with more/less sunlight/water. If you evaluate or use this resource, please respond to this short (4 question) survey at bit.ly/3Ep57BP

Remove a problem species and make a natural soap! Lindsay Hollister, JPPM's horticulturalist, shares how to identify the invasive English Ivy vine and make a soap from the saponins it naturally produces. These molecules naturally deter predators from eating the species, but their structures also make them bond to both waters and fats. Consider using the video or conducting the activity at your location as an integrated introduction to learning about biodiversity and the structures of molecules or atoms, since saponins are valuable as a soap because they are able to bond with either water or fats/lipids.

Always be sure you can successfully identify a plant before using it and take precautions to avoid negative reactions.

This resource is part of Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum’s open educational resources project to provide history, ecology, archaeology, and conservation resources related to our 560 acre public park. JPPM is a part of the Maryland Historical Trust under the Maryland Department of Planning. If you evaluate or use this resource, please respond to this short (4 question!) survey at bit.ly/3GrTjPk

Imagine having to make every piece of clothing you wear. What tools would you use? How long would it take to make them? Where would you even start? Join Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum’s Curator Betty Seifert as she demonstrates the process of weaving with a combination of looms you can make at home up to larger vintage ones. Use to support Maryland standards for Math for Grade 4 or Maryland Social Studies frameworks for Grades 5 and 6. For Grade 4 Mathematics, Geometry, 4.G.A.3 have students plan their own simple weaving pattern with two colors and 4-10 warp/weft threads (so it can be planned on a grid from 4x4 up to 10x10). Before beginning their weave, student demonstrate whether their design is symmetrical using prior experience; students can weave in the classroom using a simple loom or with warp threads taped or velcroed at each end as seen in the video. For Grade 5 Social Studies Framework, Content Topic "Urbanization, Industrialization, and Immigration" have students weave using a simple loom or with threads taped/velcroed as seen in the video; allow them to experiment but have all students attempt to weave cotton duck fabric by passing two weft thread through the warp threads. Tightly woven fabric like this was a major product of Baltimore mills after the Civil War. Have students research housing and working in these mills. For Grade 6 Content Topic "Scarcity and Economic Decision-making" have students weave in the classroom with a simple loom or threads taped/velcored as seen in the video. Have students experiment with how long of time is needed to create a large enough cloth that might be useful then postulate how the development of different looms affected the scarcity of fabric and cloth and decreasing skill needed for weaving could have affected trading economies. If you evaluate or use this resource, please respond to this short (4 question) survey here bit.ly/3IhrtYs