Elementary School Programs
1st through 6th grade
Our presentations explore a variety of themes which help students cultivate both a sense of wonder and an understanding of the natural world around them. Whether they are indoor programs, or outdoor explorations, our programs provide an opportunity for students to participate in hands-on activities, examine real materials, see mounts of animals up close, view slides, or puzzle out the identity of a mysterious object.
Programs Offered
Animals in Winter
1 Hour ProgramDiscover how animals survive throughout our long New England winters. We’ll explore the choices animals make to face winter and how they are adapted to deal with the cold. Through interactive activities, slides, and observations of the museum’s natural history collection we will delve deep into animal life in the snow.
Amphibians
1 Hour ProgramOffered in Spring & Summer
Learn all about this engaging class of animals. Bringing in live specimens of frogs and salamanders, we will discuss what makes an animal an amphibian, their distinctive life cycles, and the species that we have in New England. Live specimens, games, and frog calls make up this program.
Bats
1 Hour ProgramBehind the mystery and misunderstanding which surrounds them, bats are amazing and beneficial animals. Slides, mounted bats, a puppet show, and other activities demonstrate how bats from around the world are adapted to what they eat, and where they live.
Life in a Beaver Pond
1 Hour Indoor Program or1 1/2 Hour Program with Outdoor Exploration
Largely active at night, these “crafty engineers” are remarkably adapted to survive. Learn about beaver adaptations through slides, a beaver dress-up activity, and hands-on materials.
Amazing World of Birds
1 Hour ProgramAlthough birds have many similarities which draw them together, they have many unique adaptations that allow them to survive in their chosen environment. Mounts, hands-on materials, and activities provide a close look at bird adaptations.
Creatures of the Night
1 Hour ProgramThough night may seem scary, lots of animals are active only during the dark. Who’s out there and why? How are they designed for the night? Slides, activities, hands-on materials, and mounts help students explore the world of nocturnal animals.
Fossils: Secrets of the Past
1 Hour ProgramHow are fossils formed and what stories can they tell? This program uses activities, hands-on specimens, and slides to introduce students to the fascinating world of fossils.
The Ecology of a Forest
1 1/2 Hour Indoor/Outdoor ProgramThe forest habitat is filled with activity and surprises. In this program we’ll discover the interactions between forest plants, animals, and the landscape itself. This program allows time for investigating the forest habitat outdoors as well as focusing on specific forest animals inside.
Insect Investigations
1 Hour Indoor Program or1 1/2 Hour Program with Outdoor Exploration
We find insects everywhere, yet know so little about them. How is an insect different than a spider? What do insects look like when they are young? Find out the answers to these questions and more through hands-on activities and museum specimens.
Exploring a Meadow
1 1/2 Hour Indoor/Outdoor ProgramOffered Spring, Summer, & Fall
The meadow habitat can be a fascinating place, especially when you stop and take a closer look! From butterflies and flowers, to foxes and field mice, there are many things that depend on meadow environments to survive. This program allows time for investigating the meadow habitat outdoors as well as spending time indoors focusing on specific animals that depend on it.
Pond Life
1 1/2 Hour Program (outdoor program)Offered in Spring, Summer & Fall
Ponds are rich habitats supporting a diversity of life. Prepare to explore the life in and around a pond first hand, from the bottom-dwelling crayfish to the land based mammals that use the pond. Using nets and buckets, we will muck around a pond’s edge exploring the life there.
The Rock Cycle
1 Hour ProgramHave you ever wondered how rocks are formed, or what the difference is between a rock and a mineral? Here’s a chance to discover the processes that form different types of rocks. Learn how rocks are always changing, and become familiar with some common New England rocks.
Rocks Are All Around Us
1 Hour ProgramStudents will be surprised to learn about the many different ways humans use rocks in everyday life. Hands on activities will explore the different everyday products that contain rocks as an essential ingredient and students will try to match real rocks to the products that contain them.
Wild Seeds
1 1/2 Hour ProgramIs that seed a boat or a hitchhiker? Through hands on explorations, students will discover that plants have many creative methods for dispersing their seeds. We will explore the world of seed dispersal and the mechanisms that plants use to regenerate themselves.
Snow & Ice Science
1 Hour Indoor ProgramOffered in Winter
In this program we investigate the properties of snow and ice. We use a hands-on scientific approach to compare snow and ice and water and then explore the beauty and science of snowflakes.
Making Sense of Skulls
1 Hour ProgramEnhance your study of the skeletal system by doing a comparative study of wild animal skeletons. We will examine skulls from different animal families to learn more about skull structure and what that can tell us about an animal’s feeding habits and special adaptations.
Stream Explorations
1 1/2 Hour Program (Outdoor Program)Offered in Spring, Summer & Fall
Streams are a rough and tumble environment that require special adaptations in order to live there. Get your feet wet and get ready to learn first hand about the amazing critters (and their special adaptations) that call a stream home.
Winter Tracking
1 Hour Indoor Program or2 Hour Program with Outdoor Snowshoe
In the winter, animals leave clues about where they’ve been, who they are, and what they’ve been doing. We’ll learn about the track patterns animals leave and learn to identify them. Then, depending on program length and snow conditions, we’ll head outdoors (on snowshoes if appropriate) to test our skills!
