The State

Arboretum of
Virginia
Blandy Experimental Farm
Jessica Myer and Stormey Wright

What?

Blandy is an experimental farm

that promotes environmental and
ecological understanding, which
are fundamental requirements for
citizens and society.
It is a 700-acre research center
for the University of Virginia, and
it provides opportunities for
visitors to gain scientific
understanding through education
and research on plants, ecology,
evolution, and the environmental
sciences.

Where?

Blandy is located in the

northern corner of the
historic Shenandoah Valley. It
offers visitors a choice of
outdoor experiences, from
exploring an extensive
conifer collection to bird
watching to sitting on a
bench overlooking a meadow
of native grasses and
wildflowers.
Address: 400 Blandy Farm
Lane, Boyce, VA 22620

Connection to Science
Curriculum
Blandys mission is to encourage
scientific exploration, discovery, and
stewardship of our natural world by
fostering a learning community among
preK-12 students and teachers and
scientists.
This site offers hands-on learning
programs that are aligned to Virginia
SOLs, such as:

Plants, animals, insects, life cycles,

adaptations, habitats, and much more!

Standard
s

Standards
Continued

Standards
Continued.

Science:
2.1 The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific reasoning, logic,
and the nature of science by planning and conducting investigations
2.4 The student will investigate and understand that plants and animals
undergo a series of orderly changes as they mature and grow.
2.5 The student will investigate and understand that living things are part of a
system.
2.7 The student will investigate and understand that weather and seasonal
changes affect plants, animals, and their surroundings.
Math:
2.15 The student will

a) draw a line of symmetry in a figure; and b) identify and create figures

with at least

one line of symmetry.

2.17 The student will use data from experiments to construct picture graphs,
pictographs, and bar graphs.

Integration

Integration in Incredible
Insects

Science: diversity of
life & life cycles

Technology:
microscopes, insect
nets, collection jars

Engineering: design
insect models

Math: patterns,
graphs

What Will My Students Gain

from this Field Trip?

It is a place that strives to get students

excited about science.
The programs at this site are inquiry based,
which provide students with hands-on
activities and investigations that are
meaningful and that connect them to the
natural world.
In the program Incredible Insects,
students will discover different insects, their
life cycles, their adaptations to survive, and
they will design their own insect model! In
addition, students will explore the grounds
to become scientists as they make
observations, collect data, and graph
information.

Differentiation
Hands-on
experiences
(kinesthetic)
Inquiry discussions
and questions
(auditory)
Maps (visual)
Application to prior
knowledge
Relation to real world
experiences

Inclusive Elementary Science

Environment
Special needs: The
facility and educational
staff will work with the
teachers to
accommodate students
with special needs,
such as allergies,
physical limitations,
behavioral or
developmental
exceptionalities, etc.
Wheelchair accessible

Before Going to Blandy...

Respect the outdoor museum: stay on
paths and walkways.
Stay with your group.
DO NOT climb the rock walls or trees.
DO NOT pick flowers or any plant
materials (leaves, seeds, pine cones,
acorns, grass).
DO NOT disturb or chase the wildlife.
WATCH OUT for holes, uneven
surfaces, slippery rocks, and other
potential hazards when walking on the
grounds.
Please BE QUIET in and around the
buildings.

Pre- and Post-Program

Activities

http://www.virginia.edu/bland
y/blandy_web/education/Insect
PreandPost.pdf

To Learn More, Visit the Website!

http://blandy.virginia.edu