Summary
As a state designated historic landscape, the Oliver Brothers' Salt Ponds are an underused destination. The Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center and the adjacent salt ponds offer a historical site ideal for bringing fourth grade social science and environmental study to life. The salt ponds provide students a living “sense of place” where abstract facts about the bay industries from Ohlone life and trade to growth of gold-rush spawned industries become an engaging and interactive discovery.
Note: This program is only offered from
September to late November; during the winter, the ponds are too
flooded, and in the spring, the ponds are used by Snowy
Plovers (an endangered bird) for breeding.
Objectives
Student will:
Identify the resources from nature which humans need to survive
Provide examples of how the use of goods and ecosystem services by California Indians influenced the biological diversity of the bay area
Analyze the effects of Gold Rush communities and mining on daily life, politics, and the health of the environment
Discuss immigration to California between 1850 and 1900 including the conflicts and accords among the diverse groups.
Grade Level
This program is designed for students between 3rd and 12th grade.
Subject Area
Life Science
Physical Science
Environmental Science
Social Studies
United States History
Duration
The program lasts four hours.
Setting
The program includes a 15 minute introduction, a 45 minute human timeline, a 2 hour history walk, a 15 minute hands-on boat design activity based on historic transportation shipping, and a 15 minute salt activity.
