Irvine Regional Park

Irvine Regional Park, in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, has native oak, riparian, and coastal sage scrub ecosystems. The zoo in the park specializes in native animals. It is an ideal location for your students to study ecology, learn plant and animal adaptations, and identify edible and useful plants. Inside the Outdoors ® at Irvine Regional Park is a full day program.

Curriculum enrichment for 4th grade:
California Science Content Standards Life Sciences, Earth Science, Investigation and Experimentation
4th Grade:   2a, 2b,2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 6f

Fourth grade students come to appreciate how plants and animals have adapted to different environmental conditions through these learning stations:

Scat
Students examine the scat from several different animals and classify the animals according to their diet. They also learn the function of decomposers in ecosystems.

Plant Uses
Students participate in a directed scavenger hunt activity in which they will identify plants in the coastal sage scrub ecosystem. Through the interactive activity, they learn how Native Americans used the plants for food, medicine, and tools, and how animals use the plants for food and shelter.

Live Animals
Students see and touch live program animals representative of those found in local ecosystem and learn how their adaptations enable them to survive.

Zoo
Students participate in a guided exploration of the zoo and make observations and inferences to discover some of the adaptations that native California animals have. They also learn to identify characteristics typical of prey and predatory animals.

Quick Frozen Critters
Students play a game to learn about the interaction and adaptations of prey and predatory animals.