Buzzing with curiosity: WDFW’s new second-grade science curriculum brings pollinators, biodiversity to the classroom

A Vosnesensky bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) on a lupine flower in Olympia. Photo by WDFW

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is launching a new lesson unit about biodiversity and pollinators for second-grade classrooms. This curriculum, aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), introduces students to the vital connections between plants, animals, and ecosystems and how they can help protect them.

Throughout the unit, students think like scientists and explore key questions, including:

• What is biodiversity — and why does it matter?
• How do plants and animals help each other survive?
• How do the structures of flowers and certain wild animals make pollination possible?
• How can we increase habitat and support biodiversity at school?

No matter where you teach in the state, this unit plan offers a hands-on, engaging way to teach key science concepts while nurturing environmental stewardship in young learners.

Designed for students, aligned with standards

Left: A student looks at the features on a tree to learn about biodiversity during the Beebe Springs Outdoor School. Right: A student makes observations about their environment at Beebe Springs Outdoor School. Photos by WDFW.

“At WDFW, we believe it’s never too early to start learning about conservation,” said Autumn Eckenrod, WDFW’s conservation education curriculum coordinator. “By introducing these concepts in elementary school, we’re helping foster a lifelong connection to nature and a sense of responsibility for the wildlife and habitats around us.”

This unit plan builds on WDFW’s Habitat at Home program, which supports individuals and communities creating, certifying, and stewarding wildlife habitat in yards, schools, and public spaces. By bringing that mission into the classroom, WDFW hopes to inspire the next generation of habitat stewards.

Taking science outside

Students from Hawk Elementary took a field trip to Chico Creek to learn about salmon migration and spawning. WDFW staff explained the importance of healthy salmon habitat and Kitsap Park docents taught the kids about spawning. Photo by Amy Brodbeck

In the unit, students evaluate two contrasting schoolyard habitats and conduct a biodiversity survey of their own schoolyard. Using these observations and the knowledge they gain throughout the unit about plant and animal relationships, students will propose real actions to increase habitat and support pollinators like bees and butterflies where they live, learn, and play.

“When students get the chance to observe pollinators in action, or spot a native plant they helped grow, it builds a sense of wonder and pride that can’t be taught from a textbook,” Eckenrod said. “That experience is what inspires Washington’s future environmental stewards.”

The unit also teaches essential science practices such as data collection, observation, and collaborative problem-solving. It culminates in a student-led project focused on habitat improvements tailored to their school or community space.

“It’s exactly what we need for the NGSS standards that we were missing in 2nd grade,” said an elementary school teacher who attended a pre-release workshop on the curriculum unit. “Science education used to be learning facts and statistics, but now I think it is asking questions, investigating, and discovering to guide learning,” another teacher added.

How to access the curriculum

The full unit is available for free on the Washington Biodiversity and Pollinators Unit webpage. Teachers and administrators are encouraged to check back regularly for updates, including downloadable materials and information.

Built collaboratively

WDFW developed this curriculum with support from educational leaders from across the state, including

• Kimberley Astle, associate director of elementary science and content integration, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI);
• Carolyn Colley, science instructional facilitator, Sartori Elementary, Renton School District; and
• Virginia Morales, assistant director for multilingual education, OSPI.

“Conservation doesn’t happen in isolation — it happens when communities, schools, and public agencies come together,” said Lindsay Walker, WDFW conservation education coordinator. “We’re grateful to our partners for helping us bring this vision to life for teachers and students.”

“I used to think it was challenging to get students interested in science. Now I think that students have natural interest in learning about their world.”
- Elementary school teacher who attended a curriculum unit pre-release workshop

Learn more and get involved

You can visit the WDFW website to learn more about this lesson plan unit, other conservation education curricula, and the Habitat at Home program.

“Our goal is simple: connect kids to the natural world and show them they have a role to play in protecting it,” Walker said. “Every schoolyard habitat and every student’s curiosity adds up to a more resilient future for Washington’s fish, wildlife, and ecosystems.”

Together, we can help students discover their role in protecting the plants, wildlife, and habitats that make Washington thrive.