Science/Nature Programs Listing
All programs run approximately 1 hour unless otherwise noted.
| All Grades | Birds! Birds! Birds! Through the use of mounted and hands on specimens (eggs, nests, wings, and feathers) students will be introduced to bird characteristics and adaptations. For our younger visitors, focus will be on bird differences and similarities. Weather permitting a walk to our bird feeders concludes this program. (PK-2) A2b, A4a, A1a, B1a,E1a,E2a (3-5) A2a, B1c |
| All Grades | Whales Introduce your students to these gentle giants of the sea. Discussion includes size comparisons, fish and mammalian characteristics, newborn characteristics, tooth vs. baleen, feeding styles, and echolocation. This program includes hands-on specimens. Everyone will enjoy meeting "Mathilda", our life-sized minke whale. (K-2) A2b, A4a, A1a,B1a,B1c,E1a,E1b,E2a (3-5) A2a, A4a,B1a,B1c |
| All Grades | Touch of Salt Your students will have a hands-on experience with ocean animals from the intertidal zone, including live animals in our touch tank. Our younger visitors are introduced to various ocean animals. Older students are introduced to the marine classification system. NOTE: Grade 4 & up please schedule 11/2 hours for this program. Available late March-June (K-2)A2b,A4a,A1a,B1a,E1a, E1b,E2a; (3-5)A2a,A3a,B1a,B1c,C2a,Ela,E2a,E2c |
| All Grades | Menagerie of Mammals Your students will learn the major characteristics of mammals using many hands-on specimens including fur, skulls, and scat. Skull samples will be used to emphasize feeding styles. Weather permitting a walk through our trails to explore will culminate this program. (PK-2) A2b A4a, A1a,B1a,E1a,E1b,E2a,E2b (3-5) A2a, A3a, B1a, E2c |
| All Grades | Discover a Forest This program introduces the mixed deciduous forest ecosystem. Concepts include forest layers, cyclic use of energy through producers, consumers, and decomposers. Weather permitting a sensory activity through the woods concludes this program. (PK-2) A2b,B1a (3-5) A2a,A3a,A1a,B1a,E1a,E2a |
| All Grades | Simply Machines Students will discuss what simple machines are, learn the 5 basic types of simple machines, categorize tools and kitchen utensils into these 5 groups, and then perform hands-on activities that further demonstrate the 5 types of simple machines and how they make our work easier. (PK-2) A1a,a2a,a3a,a4a,b1a,b1b,b1c,d4a; (3-5) A1a,A2a,A3a,A4a,B1a,B1c,D4a,D4d |
| Pre & K | Decorate a Tree Children are briefly introduced to bird characteristics before settling down to make food wreaths for our feathered friends. Excellent fine-motor activity. The program culminates with a walk in our forest to hang our wreaths and bird watch. (PK-2) A2b, B1a |
| Pre K & K | What's Wild- What's Not Our youngest visitors examine and brainstorm the differences between wild and tame animals. We also introduce them to habitat needs of food, water, and shelter. This program is highly interactive, using mounted specimens, puppets, animal parts and felt boards. (PK-2) A1a,A2b, B1a,E1a |
| Pre - 2nd | Tree Talk 'N Touch How does a tree compare to a person? Can you eat a tree cookie? What is the function of bark? These questions and others are discussed as students learn about these large woody plants. A walk through the Center's forest to make bark and leaf rubbings concludes this program. Available August through October and April through June (PK-2) A1a,A2b,B1a,E1a |
| Pre – 4th | Travelers This program is designed to introduce our visitors to seeds and their characteristics, seed dispersal, which seeds are food, seed parts, and the life cycle of plants. Younger students learn how seeds travel and take a walk on the grounds to collect seeds. Older students discuss seed germination and plant reproduction, followed by a seed planting activity. (PK-2) A1a, A2b, A4a,B1a,E1a,E4a (3-5) A2a, A4a,B1a,E2c |
| Pre-4 | Investigating Insects Your students will discuss the physical characteristics of insects, including body segments, mouthparts, and wings. Through the use of dried specimens and a brief power point presentation your students are introduced to insect families. Weather permitting, students collect and study live insects with magnifying lenses. Available August, September, May, and June. (PK- 2) A2b, A1a, B1a,E1a,E1c,E2a,E4b; (3-5) A2a,A3a,B1a |
| K – 4th | Weather Wonders This program will help your students discover the world of weather. Emphasis is placed on the discussion of the four seasons and what causes our changing weather. Students learn about cloud types, temperature, air pressure, and precipitation while using weather instru-ments to measure each. Older students will learn about the earth's tilt, rotation and revolution & the effect they have on our troposphere. (PK-2) A2b,B1a,B1b,B1c,B1e, C2a,D2a,D2b,D2c (3-5) A1a,A2a,A3a,B1a,B1c,D2a,D2b,D2e,D2d,D3e |
| 1st & up | Winter Tracks Who came this way and how do we know? Animal signs are all around us. Your students will discuss major signs and examine, nests, scat, and of course tracks. Weather and snow pack permitting, a walk in our woods will conclude this program. An alternative indoor stamping activity available. Available January and February (PK-2) A2b.B1a,B1b (3-5)A2a.B1a |
| 2-4th | Four Directions This program is an introduction to map skills. We will be working with a globe, a world map (emphasis on continents), and map symbols. Students will learn about the cardinal directions as they use basic compasses to go on a "treasure" hunt. (PK-2) A1a,A2b,B1c (3-5) B1c |
| 3rd & up | As a Matter of Fact |
| 3rd & up | The Human Body / Of All the Nerve Students will learn the three parts of the Nervous system. Brainstorm the functions, demonstrate process of nerves sending messages to the brain, discuss voluntary and involuntary movements, do demonstrations while discussing the five senses, study the functions of the three parts of the brain, sketch about the areas of the cerebrum (showing what parts of the body each area controls) and then work on brain teasers. (3-5) A1a,A2a,A1b,A4a,B1a,B1b,B1c |
| 3rd & up | The Human Body /Breath In, Breathe Out Students will brainstorm the parts of the Respiratory system. Then using manipulators and action they will explore each of these parts. They will act out blood picking up oxygen at the lungs and releasing it to the cells. This is followed with an activity to discover lung capacity. Student will also explore the function of the diaphragm and measure their breathing rate. (3-5) A1a,A1b,A2a,A3a,A4a,B1a,B1b,B1c |
| 3rd & up | The Human Body/Bone Appetite Students will brainstorm and discuss the functions of the skeletal system, be introduced to facts about bones using some hands-on materials, demonstrate various joints, learn some bone names using a song ("…bone's connected to…") in English and Latin, and then assemble a paper skeleton. When available, students may also assemble the moose skeleton. (3-5) A1a,A1b,A2a |
| 3 & up | Natural Delight tudents will discuss flower and fruit production before learning about the Center's cider press. Students in small groups will learn how to use the press while students in the classroom practice math skills while measuring apples. Everyone comes together in the end to press cider and have a tasty treat. Available late September - mid October (3-5) A2a,A4a,B1a,B1c |
| 3rd & up | Tree Know How Your students will discuss the differences between coniferous and deciduous trees, compound and simple leaves, alternate and opposite placement, and leaf margins. The students will learn how to use a dichotomous key and practice identifying trees here at the Center. (3-5) A2a,B1a,B1c,E1a |
| 3rd & up | Tropical Rain Forest This program compares and contrasts the Maine forest ecosystem and the rain forest ecosystem. Concepts taught include: biodiversity, forest layers, and forest products. Hands-on activities reinforce concepts taught. (3-5) A1a,A1b,A2a,A4a,B1a,C3b |
| 3rd & up | Habit of Habitats Discussion includes the concepts of biomes, ecosystems, habitats, and niches. Emphasis will be placed on the needs of all organisms for food, water, shelter, and space, and protection. Students discuss how adaptations satisfy these needs. (3-5) A1a, A1b, A2a, A4a, B1a, E2a |
| 3rd & up | It's a Small World After All/Microscopes Students will be briefly introduced to the history of magnification. They will then be introduced to several different types of hand lenses and microscopes. Students learn the parts of a microscope and the proper way to use it. To conclude this program students will use microscopes to examine a wide variety of material. Older students will be able to prepare a slide to examine. (3-5) A2a, A4a, B1a, B1c, E3a |
| 3rd & up | Map & Compass Your students will have hands-on experience with several types of maps with the primary focus on topographical maps. Students will learn to read and use a compass. Students will enjoy an outdoor activity using their new compass skills. Maximum class size 25 students. Available September - November and late April - June (3-5) A2a ,B1c |
| 3rd & up | Classy-fication (Allow 1 1/2 hours) Students will do hands-on activities sorting and classifying materials by characteristics. They will then explore the five Kingdoms, Invertebrates and Vertebrate Phyla, and classes of Vertebrates using organism specimens and handouts. Finally, students will be introduced to the Linnaean classification system. (3-5) A2a,B1a,C2a.E1a,E3a |
| 3rd & up | Owl Pellets (Allow 1 1/2 hours) Your students will discuss basic information about owls. They will learn that owls "package" extra fur and bones from their prey into neat bundles called pellets. Your students take the role of research scientist as they dissect an owl pellet. Teachers please schedule at least 2 weeks prior to the date to ensure time to order pellets. (3-5) A2a,B1a,B1c,E2c |
| 3rd & up | Minerals (Allow 1 1/2 hours to finish) This program introduces students to the characteristics of minerals followed by hands-on identification testing for luster, hardness and streak test and acid on 10 various minerals. Students will also learn about rock formation process sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. (3-5) A2a,A3a,B1a,B1b,B1c,B1d,B1e,D2d,D3d |
| 3rd & up | Plant Factory Your students will discuss the parts of a plant and its functions. Leaf anatomy such as guard cells, stomata, chlorophyll, leaf margins and arrangements will also be included. Emphasis is placed on the process of photosynthesis. The program ends with students dissecting a plant. (3-5) A1a,A2a,B1a,E2c |
| 3rd & up | Pond Study This 2-hour program occurs off-site at the Easton Pond. Students learn how to use various instruments to explore this ecosystem and determine the health of the pond using pH, temperature and variety of organisms to make this decision. Students use dip nets and seine nets to collect specimens. Maximum 20 students. Available August, September and May through June. (3- 5) A1a,A2a,A3a,A4aB1a,B1c,B1d,B1e,C3b,C3c,E3a |