The Wings & Water program has been designed to help teachers meet the Utah State Core Curriculum Standards for Science. Specifically, the program's elements, including the Student Discovery Guide and the Naturalist-Guided Tour, are structured on standards-based program themes. See below for a list of standards and corresponding Wings & Water program themes.

While state science standards have informed our themes, the nature of this experience-based program lends itself to complementary learning and expression within other academic disciplines.

Standard I.

Students will understand that water changes state as it moves through the water cycle.

• Objective 1: Describe the relationship between heat energy, evaporation and condensation of water on Earth.
   
• Objective 2: Describe the water cycle.
   
• W&W Theme: Great Salt Lake wetlands are involved in all parts of the water cycle.

Standard II.

Students will understand that water changes state as it moves through the water cyclewill understand that the elements of weather can be observed, measured and recorded to make predictions and determine simple weather patterns.

• Objective 2: Interpret recorded weather data for simple patterns.
   
• W&W Theme: Wetlands conditions are affected by our weather and climate.

Standard III.

Students will understand the basic properties of rocks, the processes involved in the formation of soils, and the needs of plants provided by soil.

• Objective 2: Explain how the processes of weather and erosion change and move materials that become soil.
   
• Objective 3: Observe the basic components of soil and relate the components to plant growth.
   
• W&W Theme: Wetlands soils are special both in the way they capture runoff and sediments and how they develop over time to sustain wetlands habitat.

Standard V.

Students will understand the physical characteristics of Utah's wetlands, forests and deserts and identify common organisms for each environment.

• Objective 1: Describe the physical characteristics of Utah’s wetlands, forests and deserts.
   
• Objective 2: Describe the common plants and animals found in Utah environments and how these animals have adapted to the environment in which they live.
   
• W&W Themes: 
  
  • Wetlands are an important part of Utah.
  • Plants and animals in Great Salt Lake wetlands have fascinating adaptations that allow them to thrive there.
  • The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve is a wetlands sanctuary where people can see and learn about healthy wetlands and their residents.
  • The health and sustainability of a wetlands ecosystem is the result of countless interactions between and among plants, animals and various nonliving features in their environment.
  • Wetlands are rare and valuable habitats that everyone has a role in protecting.