Outreach Programs for Schools

Our 50-minute programs are available most mornings and afternoons, Tuesday - Friday, January through March. For April - June, programs will be available on select mornings and most afternoons.

Programs include:

1. Reptiles and Amphibians: Tales of Scales
Live indigenous snakes, turtles and a toad are brought into the classroom to help separate fact from fiction. Compare similarities and contrast differences to mammals and how to stay safe around these often misunderstood creatures. Number of animals brought depends on the weather.

2. Owls: Who-oo Is in the Forest?
Flying tigers of the night, owls still surprise us with their silent flight and keen senses. Their young hatch out in February; learn how this local predator cares for his new family. Using specimens, calls and bones, we explore the amazing adaptations of owls.

3. Senses: Are There More than Five?
Through a slide show and interactive games, we’ll explore our senses and compare them to those of wildlife. Prepare to be surprised at how your nose stacks up compared to that of a fox and an owl’s keen eyesight comes with some trade-offs!

4. Insects: Hooray for Creepy Crawlies!
Focusing on the insects of the area, children explore live and preserved insects, and other invertebrates. Discover what makes an insect an insect through song, story and activity. During the winter, only insect specimens will be featured.

* 5. Eastern Woodland Indians of the 1600’s: How would You Survive?
Similar to our on-site program, children will compare their role, and those of their family members, in their community then and now. The program includes games and storytelling.

* 6. Squirrels: A Puzzling Creature!
Squirrels are adept in their use of every level of the forest. Focusing on the squirrels’ adaptations, children learn how such a small creature can crack through nuts, communicate with their tail and are the natural foresters of the woodland. Naturalists will lead discovery through presenting a puppet show, with a free standing puppet stage, demonstrations and song.