Field Trips to Goose Creek State Park
North Carolina state parks staff proudly offer numerous memorable field trip experiences for students and teachers. Explore science, history, social studies, and math through sampling stream life or climbing a mountain.
Goose Creek State Park, with its live oak forest, cypress swamp and location on the Pamlico River, offers unique opportunities for field trip groups to learn about a wide variety of habitats.
Field Trip Programs
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The wetlands of eastern North Carolina are home to several different species of amphibians — those amazing animals that live on both land and water at different points in their lives. Students will learn about the habits and habitats of frogs, toads, and salamanders as we seek them out in their preferred freshwater habitats at Goose Creek State Park!
Additional Information
| Grades | K to 7 |
|---|---|
| Length | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Class Size | Minimum of 8 Maximum of 30 Larger groups can be accommodated by rotating activities. |
| Times Available | Weekdays, year-round (weather dependent) |
| Required Dress | Weather-appropriate clothing All students are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes for walking. |
| Scheduling | At least 3 weeks in advance |
Correlations
| K.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Compare characteristics of animals that make them alike and different from other animals and nonliving things. |
|---|---|---|
| 1.L.2 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Summarize the needs of living organisms for energy and growth. |
| 2.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand animal life cycles. |
| 2.L.2 | Science – Evolution and Genetics | Remember that organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism. |
| 2.G.1 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand how interaction between humans and the physical environment is impacted by movement and settlement. |
| 4.L.1 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations and behaviors that enable animals (including humans) to survive in changing habitats. |
| 5.L.3 | Science – Evolution and Genetics | Understand why organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism. |
| 5.G.1 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand the ways in which geographic factors and features have influenced development of the United States. |
| 6.L.2 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the flow of energy through ecosystems and the responses of populations to the biotic and abiotic factors in their environment. |
| 7.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand the processes, structures and functions of living organisms that enable them to survive, reproduce and carry out the basic functions of life. |
Goose Creek State Park sites where the river meets the sea, but where does all that water come from anyway? Students will learn about all the steps of the water cycle as they discover where the water comes from and where it goes, as well as the importance of conserving water in their own homes and how the marshes help keep water clean.
Additional Information
| Grades | K to 12 |
|---|---|
| Length | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Class Size | Minimum of 8 Maximum of 30 Larger groups can be accommodated by rotating activities. |
| Times Available | Weekdays, year-round (weather dependent) |
| Required Dress | Weather-appropriate clothing All students are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes for walking. |
| Scheduling | At least 3 weeks in advance |
Correlations
| K.P.1 | Science – Forces and Motion | Understand the positions and motions of objects and organisms observed in the environment. |
|---|---|---|
| K.G.2 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand interactions between humans and the environment. |
| 1.L.1 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand characteristics of various environments and behaviors of humans that enable plants and animals to survive. |
| 1.L.2 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Summarize the needs of living organisms for energy and growth. |
| 1.G.2 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand interactions between humans and the environment in different places and regions around the world. |
| 2.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand animal life cycles. |
| 2.G.1 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand how interaction between humans and the physical environment is impacted by movement and settlement. |
| 3.L.2 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand how plants survive in their environments. |
| 4.L.1 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations and behaviors that enable animals (including humans) to survive in changing habitats. |
| 5.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand how structures and systems of organisms (to include the human body) perform functions necessary for life. |
| 6.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand the structures, processes and behaviors of plants that enable them to survive and reproduce. |
| 6.L.2 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the flow of energy through ecosystems and the responses of populations to the biotic and abiotic factors in their environment. |
| 7.E.1 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Understand how the cycling of matter (water and gases) in and out of the atmosphere relates to Earth's atmosphere, weather and climate and the effects of the atmosphere on humans. |
| 7.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand the processes, structures and functions of living organisms that enable them to survive, reproduce and carry out the basic functions of life. |
| 7.G.1 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand ways in which geographical factors influence societies. |
| 8.P.2 | Science – Energy: Conservation and Transfer | Explain the environmental implications associated with the various methods of obtaining, managing, and using energy resources. |
| 8.E.1 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Understand the hydrosphere and the impact of humans on local systems and the effects of the hydrosphere on humans. |
| 8.L.3 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand how organisms interact with and respond to the biotic and abiotic components of their environment. |
| 8.G.1 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand geographic factors that influence the development of North Carolina and the nation. |
| Bio.2.1 | Science – Ecosystems | Analyze the interdependent relationships of living organisms within their environments. |
| Bio.2.2 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the impact of human activities on the environment (one generation affects the next). |
| EEn.2.3 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Explain how water is an agent of energy transfer. |
| EEn.2.4 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Evaluate how humans use water. |
| EEn.2.6 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Analyze patterns of global climate change over time. |
The unique habitats of Goose Creek State Park host both saltwater and freshwater ecosystems. Students will participate in a guided walk with a park ranger, focusing on the habitats, plants, and animals of the region. We will also discuss human impacts on the wetlands, and students will participate in several water-themed activities that illustrate how critical this always-changing environment is for the state's wildlife and fisheries. See the differences between a saltwater marsh, a freshwater marsh, and everything in between.
Additional Information
| Grades | 1 to 12 |
|---|---|
| Length | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Class Size | Minimum of 8 Maximum of 30 Larger groups can be accommodated by rotating activities. |
| Times Available | Weekdays, year-round (weather dependent) |
| Required Dress | Weather-appropriate clothing All students are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes for walking. |
| Scheduling | At least 3 weeks in advance |
Correlations
| 1.L.1 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand characteristics of various environments and behaviors of humans that enable plants and animals to survive. |
|---|---|---|
| 1.L.2 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Summarize the needs of living organisms for energy and growth. |
| 1.G.2 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand interactions between humans and the environment in different places and regions around the world. |
| 2.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand animal life cycles. |
| 2.L.2 | Science – Evolution and Genetics | Remember that organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism. |
| 2.G.1 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand how interaction between humans and the physical environment is impacted by movement and settlement. |
| 3.L.2 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand how plants survive in their environments. |
| 4.L.1 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations and behaviors that enable animals (including humans) to survive in changing habitats. |
| 4.G.1 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand the role geography has played in the development of North Carolina. |
| 5.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand how structures and systems of organisms (to include the human body) perform functions necessary for life. |
| 5.L.2 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the interdependence of plants and animals with their ecosystem. |
| 5.L.3 | Science – Evolution and Genetics | Understand why organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism. |
| 6.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand the structures, processes and behaviors of plants that enable them to survive and reproduce. |
| 7.L.1 | Science – Structures and Functions of Living Organisms | Understand the processes, structures and functions of living organisms that enable them to survive, reproduce and carry out the basic functions of life. |
| 8.E.1 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Understand the hydrosphere and the impact of humans on local systems and the effects of the hydrosphere on humans. |
| 8.L.3 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand how organisms interact with and respond to the biotic and abiotic components of their environment. |
| 8.G.1 | Social Studies – Geography | Understand geographic factors that influence the development of North Carolina and the nation. |
| Bio.2.1 | Science – Ecosystems | Analyze the interdependent relationships of living organisms within their environments. |
| Bio.2.2 | Science – Ecosystems | Understand the impact of human activities on the environment (one generation affects the next). |
| EEn.2.3 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Explain how water is an agent of energy transfer. |
| EEn.2.4 | Science – Earth Systems, Structures and Processes | Evaluate how humans use water. |