LIFE - Savannas Preserve State Park

The Savannas LIFE Program brings seventh-grade students out of the classroom to investigate science topics in the ecosystems of the Savannas Preserve State Park. Over 100 students from Southport Middle School visit the park once a quarter and rotate through four different field labs in cooperative groups. Each field experience is not only designed around key scientific concepts and skills in the Florida NGSSS but also integrates all subject areas in a transdisciplinary approach. Southport Middle School teachers collaborate with Savannas park staff and volunteers to ensure this program engages student senses, enriches content, and encourages a sense of environmental stewardship. The LIFE – Savannas Preserve State Park program was initially funded in part from a grant from The Battelle Foundation.

Field Sites

• Savannas Preserve State Park

Program Implementation Team

• Tessa Sheridan
  Park Services Specialist, Savannas Preserve State Park; (772) 398-2779
  
• Cristina Veresan
  Science Teacher, Southport Middle School. 2420 SE Morningside Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952. (772) 337-5900 (www.veresan.com)
• Chuck Oberlander
  Language Arts Teacher, Southport Middle School
• Nancy Filippini
  Social Studies/Civics Teacher, Southport Middle School
• Lilas Demontegnac
  Math Teacher, Southport Middle School

Program Content

Additional Resources

• Savannas Preserve State Park
• South Florida Water Management District
• South Florida Information Access (SOFIA):
• St. Lucie County Extension (Natural Resource Management Page)