Early Education
Preschool-Kindergarden
Children in early childhood have a strong curiosity in, and unique way of engaging with, the natural world. We have designed a range of age-appropriate science programs with this in mind. Our programs use a variety of methods to teach the topics, including songs, interactive activities, mounts, puzzles, puppets, hands-on materials, dramatic play, and outdoor investigations.
For Educators and Homeschoolers: Our Program in a Box Education Kits provide a most flexible and cost-effective way to extend or enhance classroom study on some of the specific topics: Bats, owls, insects and amphibians.
Programs Offered
Science in a Story Book
1/2 Hour Programs
Use stories as a springboard for learning about nature. Children identify with the characters and gain context for learning about the natural world. These programs rely on reading the book prior to the visit, and Museum staff will make reference to the book during the program. The "Science in a Story Book" programs simply provide a way to include literacy studies into your Nature Museum program.
Stellaluna by Janel Cannon. See Bats program description below for more information about the corresponding Bats program.
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell. See Owls program description below for more information about the corresponding Owls program.
Over in the Garden by Jennifer Ward. See Insects program description for more information about the corresponding Insects program.
Tadpoles by Betsy James. See Amphibians program description for more information about the corresponding Tadpoles program.
Amphibians
1/2 Hour Program
Offered Spring & Summer
With the arrival of spring, the chorus of amphibians begins. This program is a great introduction to what makes an animal an amphibian. There will be a variety of guest appearances from live frogs and salamanders. We'll hear their calls and learn about their life cycles.
Animals in Winter
1/2 Hour Program
Discover how animals survive throughout our long New England winters. Which animals hibernate? Which animals remain active all winter long? Through interactive activities, pictures, a puppet show and mounts we will delve deep into animal life in the snow.
Standards met-Animals in Winter PK-K
Bats
1/2 Hour Program
Investigate the mysterious world of our only flying mammals. We will explore the main types of bats throughout the world, plus learn which bats we have in New England and the important roles that they play in nature. This program uses pictures, puppets, puzzles, mounts, and song to teach about these amazing creatures.
Beavers
1/2 Hour Program (an outdoor field trip can be added to this program)
Beavers are familiar animals to many people, but be prepared to learn some amazing facts about these crafty engineers. A beaver mount, hands-on materials, and a puppet show illustrate how beavers are adapted to their aquatic environment and how their ponds serve as centers for wildlife activities and habitat creation.
Dinosaurs
1/2 Hour Program
The world of dinosaurs comes to life in this highly interactive program. With a puppet show, activity stations, and all-group activities, this program is sure to delight budding paleontologists.
Insects and Their Relatives
1/2 Hour program (an additional outdoor field trip may be added to this program)
What is more exciting to children than examining all things that creep and crawl? This program highlights insect classification and life cycles by using museum specimens, puppets, dressing up as an insect, and songs.
Nature On The Farm
1-Hour Indoor/Outdoor Program
Grafton Only
Join a Nature Museum naturalist for this farm and museum visit. The Green Meadows Farm has a wide variety of animals, including rabbits, goats, sheep, and chickens. We will compare and contrast the different farm animals and their life cycles and experience the workings of a small farm.
Standards met-Nature on the Farm PK-K
Owls
1/2 Hour Program
These silent flyers of the night are fascinating to young children. Explore the world of these nocturnal birds and learn about their adaptations through pictures, calls, feathers, mounts, and more. Learn to hoot like an owl!
Pond Life
1 Hour Program (outdoor program)
Offered in Spring, Summer, & Fall
Discover life in and around a pond first hand. We will muck around a pond's edge with nets and buckets looking at and learning about the fascinating creatures that live there. Classification, life cycles, and food chains will be explored.
Turkeys
1/2 Hour Program
There's more to a turkey than gobbling! Wild turkeys are spectacular and very cautious birds with a long history in our culture. Pictures, songs, activities, and a mount give students a close-up look at this important bird.
Standards met-Turkeys PK-K.pdf
- Public Programs
- Children's Camps
- April Camps
- Summer Camps
- Last Blast Camps
- February Camps
- School and Library Programs
