Videoconferencing technology opens the way for schools once limited by distance to experience BRIT via virtual field trips. With the support of the Region XI Education Service Center, BRIT is now able to broaden the scope of its programs and deliver quality services across the airwaves to students in rural schools across Texas and beyond.
The system emphasizes interactive broadcasting where children can see and communicate with BRIT staff who challenge them to think like scientists as they engage in creative activities. Virtual tours of the herbarium and interactions with real science and scientists broaden their horizons from the Peruvian rainforests to the natural wonders across the world, and back home again to consider nature in their own backyard.
All of BRIT's distance learning programs come with pre and post activities, templates and instructions, and teacher materials that deepen and enrich the content of the broadcast.
A Plant's Journey from Peru to BRIT
A charming program that includes a video made at BRIT starring botanists on staff that tells the story of how a begonia named Bella becomes a valued specimen in BRIT's herbarium and, as always, an engaging hands-on component during the broadcast. This version is designed specifically for early childhood and lower elementary grades. A "Little Bella Comes to BRIT" Activity Book, Teacher Packet, and all necessary materials for the broadcast are included.
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The king can't stop sneezing so he commands his castle be rid of all plants and all things made of plants! The story reinforces the concept of how plants impact our lives in many ways. This version is designed specifically for early childhood and lower elementary grades. The broadcast package includes a copy of “Thank You Plants” activity book that features King Quigley for each student and class set of cotton bolls for an investigation activity.
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This program combines science and art with a demonstration of the techniques used to create a plant creature puppet. The program includes a discussion of plant morphology with an interactive game to reinforce the concept. This version is designed specifically for early childhood and lower elementary grades. The program includes a paper back copy of the book, Plantzilla, and a teacher packet with pre and post acitivities.
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A Plant's Journey from Peru to BRIT
A charming program that includes a video made at BRIT starring botanists on staff that tells the story of how a begonia named Bella becomes a valued specimen in BRIT's herbarium and, as always, an engaging hands-on component during the broadcast. A "Bella Comes to BRIT" Activity Book, Teacher Packet, and all necessary materials for the broadcast are included.
During this interactive broadcast offered during the months of October and November students make their own pumpkin pie filling while learning the botanical facts about the ingredients. Examples of a "Pumpkin Journal” and a unique “Pumpkin Pie” pop-up book made from paper plates are featured. The program fee includes a copy of BRIT’s curriculum guide “Pumpkins, Exploring the Pumpkin Family through Activities and Games” and a soft bound copy of the children’s book featured in the curriculum guide, Fiona Norris' “Pepe’s Family Reunion”, pre and post activities, templates and instructions for the journal and pop-up book.
The king can't stop sneezing so he commands his castle be rid of all plants and all things made of plants! The story reinforces the concept of how plants impact our lives in many ways. The broadcast and post activities created extend and deepen student understanding. The broadcast package includes a copy of “Thank You Plants” activity book that features King Quigley for each student and class set of cotton balls for an investigation activity.
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This program combines science and art with a demonstration of the techniques used to create a plant creature puppet. The program includes a discussion of plant morphology and adaptations with an interactive game to reinforce the concepts. The program includes a paper back copy of the book, Plantzilla, and a teacher packet with pre and post acitivities.
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This free program offered for the holiday season during December introduces students to some little known factoids about the seasonings common to the holiday foods of diverse cultures. Featuring six spices and seasonings that are found in virtually any holiday foods regardless of the tradition, the BRIT staff entertains and informs the audience of their origins, folklore and ethnobotany in an interactive video in the Jeopardy Game format.
Combining art and science, BRIT embellishes the well known “Roses are Red” Valentine’s Day poem to teach botanical facts about roses, violets, and of course, sugar! Also during the broadcast, a Valentine’s Day pop-up book is demonstrated. The book features a box of chocolates with pop-up images highlighting the plant beginnings of the filling ingredients. Pre and post activites are included.
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"The light shines not on us, but in us." ~ John Muir
Photosynthesis is explained by the use of graphics, animated power point presentation, and an engaging game to help students better understand the complicated chemical reactions that take place within the chloroplasts of most green plants.
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