Wonders Of Nature At Your School
We’re so glad you’re considering Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust for a program at your school. We have a variety of environmental education programs for K through grade 5. Engaging in-school programs help bring students’ science books to life! The programs are taught by talented, experienced educators and adapted specifically to the appropriate grade level. They include opportunities for vocabulary building, journal entries, and hands-on experiences with natural materials. All programs are available during school hours or after school.
For more information on which lessons in our portfolio of NGSS-aligned programs are offered at your school, please visit our NGSS-Aligned Programming
For more information or to register for an in-school program call Amber McDonald at (203) 263-3711 x12 or amber@flandersnaturecenter.org
Year Round Nature And Environmental Programs
Animal Classification
The adaptations of animals help young scientists to classify. Students learn the basics of identifying different types of vertebrates native to New England, how they find food, and escape from predators. Vocabulary reinforcements for classification included.
Feathered Friends
An introduction to the world of birds, their habitats, distinguishing characteristics and migratory habits. Vocabulary expands as students learn to identify the various parts of a bird through feathers, beaks and feet. Nesting behaviors and flight patterns will be discussed. Discover how resourceful birds are through investigating their nests.
The Five Senses
Imagine seeing with compound eyes, hearing with rabbit ears, or smelling as a fly! What a difference antennae make when you’re small, and noses make when you are tall! Students understand eye and ear placement as an indicator for herbivores or carnivores and begin to realize that all creatures depend on their senses to survive!
Habitat Hunt
What does it take to support different types of animal life… food, water, shelter, space and sun? How do animals needs compare to ours? Students learn about the important relationship between animals and their habitats through food-web games and other fun activities.
Incredible Insects
Insects of Connecticut are our specialty. Through scavenger hunts and educational games, students will become familiar with insect anatomy and the function of each body part. They will compare insect anatomy with their own as they learn to respect these fascinating critters!
Mammal Mania
Why don’t mammals need a raincoat? And, where do they live? Students will learn about the common characteristics, understand the difference between an herbivore and carnivore, and describe various types of fur. They will learn about the habits and habitats of the mammals’ native to Connecticut. Through the use of educational games and hands-on activities about predator-prey relationships, students will learn about the challenges to mammals to raise their young, survive New England winters and more!
Owl Investigations
WHOOO… wants to learn about owls? Facts about these nocturnal birds of prey with strong talons, acute hearing and keen eyesight will amaze you! Dissect an owl pellet to discover what they eat. Learn where they live and characteristics that make them different from other bird groups. (Additional charge of $2 per student for owl pellets).
Understanding Beavers
Do you know the huge impact beavers have on our environment? How do they know when to move? What happens to the environment when a beaver moves out and to the environment when they move in? Students discover the fascinating interdependence of wildlife on this ancient engineer of the wild.
Winter Survival
The question is whether to eat or sleep, to stay where it’s cold or migrate. Do animals plan ahead? How do creatures decide? Students find out through hands-on, minds-on survival tactics and educational games.
Seasonal Farm and Agricultural Programs
Maple Sugaring
Available: March
Combines science, language arts, social studies and art, in the warmth of your classroom. When followed by our one-hour field trip program at Flanders, students get the full flavor of Flanders Maple Sugaring, as they identify sugar maples, tap trees, watch the drip, smell the evaporating sap and taste the final syrup.
From Eggs to Legs
Available: April to June
What’s inside the egg? Students will see what the inside of an egg looks like while learning the parts of the egg. There will be live chicks, amphibians and reptiles for students to see and touch, along with hens and a rooster. A story relating to egg bearing animals will be shared, as children learn that chickens aren’t the only ones that lay and hatch from eggs.
Honey Bee Pollinator Program
Available: May to October
Pollinators are essential to our environment. The ecological service they provide is necessary for the reproduction of nearly 70 percent of the world’s flowering plants, including more than two-thirds of the world’s crop species. In many places, the essential service of pollination is at risk from habitat loss, pesticide use, and introduced diseases.
Educate your students on this current environmental issue. Students will learn about beekeepers, insects, life cycles, plant pollination and the global decline of bees.
Worms for Lunch!
Available: September to November & April to June
By studying a bin of worms at work, students will learn about soil composting and composition. The life cycles of plants will be discussed as students learn about gardens and gardening while planting their own rye seed plant, which ties in the understanding of soil erosion. There will also be a story and hands-on participation.
Cost: $150 for each one-hour program
Each additional hour is only $100
Download Year Round Program Flyer
Download Seasonal Program Flyer
Community Enrichment themed programs are available. These programs priced per attendee. More information.
