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STEM Educator Guide K–5 - California Date Commission

Inspiring STEM Through the Fair

The STEM Educator Guide is a free resource for K–5 teachers and families, created by the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival and provided with support from the California Date Commission. Inside, you’ll find hands-on lesson plans that connect science, math, and engineering to local agriculture and traditions—perfect for preparing students before their field trip to the Fair in February 2027.

Want more information about scheduling a field trip (Feb 18/19)? Register Here.

Curriculum Outline

Lesson 1 – Where Does Our Food Come From?

Explore how plants grow and discover the journey from seed to harvest.

Standards: NGSS K-LS1-1, CCSS Math K.MD.A.2

Lesson 2 – What Are Physical & Chemical Changes?

Physical Change: Freeze a date shake using salt and ice to observe temperature-based change.

Chemical Change: Mix baking soda and vinegar to create bubbling carbon dioxide gas—just like the live Science Show at the Fair!

Standards: NGSS 2-PS1-2, NGSS 5-PS1-4, CCSS Math 2.MD.D.10, CCSS Math 5.MD.B.2

Lesson 3 – Pack & Protect It!

Engineer and decorate a container that keeps a date safe in transport.

Standards: NGSS K-2-ETS1-1, NGSS 3-5-ETS1-1, CCSS Math 2.MD.D.10

K–1

Seed to Plant

Balloon Science

What’s an Engineer?

Grades 2–3

Plant Growth

Vinegar + Baking Soda

Engineering Process

Grades 4–5

Date Factories

CO₂ Fire Test

Egg Drop Challenge

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