2009-10 School Programs

Programs coordinated through Abbott's Mill Nature Center - Milford
Programs coordinated through Ashland Nature Center - Hockessin

Abbott's Mill - PK-3

Animals in Winter Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $5/student + $35 travel fee
Learn about different animals native to Delaware and their strategies for winter survival. Investigate which animals hibernate, which stay awake, and which migrate south. See and touch live animals, taxidermy and enjoy a story.

Native American Lifeways Classroom Outreach
1.5 hours, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Engage in bartering as you discover Native Americans in three regions of the United States. Learn about important natural resources in each region and help to construct a model dwelling of that area. A Native American craft completes the experience.

Native Americans Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $5/student + $35 travel fee
Experience the lives of Delmarva's Native Americans. Learn about the animals and plants that supported Native populations and the ingenious ways that they used the environment. Try on Native-styled clothes, make music, and enjoy a legend about a Turtle.

Native Wild Animals Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $5/student + $35 travel fee
Learn about wild animals native to Delmarva while looking closely at live animals and taxidermy. Examine the habitats and characteristics of these wild animals and learn which species might live in your backyard.

Reptiles & Amphibians Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $5/student + $35 travel fee
Discover fascinating facts about frogs and toads, salamanders, turtles, and snakes during an exciting animal program. Live specimens aid in examining the differences between reptiles and amphibians and in exploring the significance of their unique adaptations and life cycles.

Unhuggables Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $5/student + $35 travel fee
Spiders, bats, snakes and lizards are all animals that make many people shudder. Learn about the remarkable role these less popular animals play in the balance of nature and explore their wondrous adaptations.

Abbott's Mill - 4-5

Birds in Focus Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $5/student + $35 travel fee
Explore the unique and varied adaptations of native birds, including body shape, beaks and feet. Investigate how these adaptations help them survive in their habitats. See mounted specimens and study the diversity of species in the Delmarva region. Use binoculars on a guided bird survey through different habitats. Find out how birds are affected by seasonal changes.

Native Wild Animals Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $5/student + $35 travel fee
Look closely at live animals and taxidermy native to Delmarva. Turtles, rabbits, snakes, fox, owls, and hawks are some of the amazing animals you meet. Examine the habitats and characteristics of these wild animals and learn which species might live in your backyard.

Owls in Delaware Classroom Outreach
1½ hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Examine the structures and adaptations for survival of four resident owl species of Delmarva. Study mounted specimens, listen and learn owl calls, and dissect owl pellets to explore the eating habits of owls.

Reptiles & Amphibians Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $5/student + $35 travel fee
Discover fascinating facts about frogs and toads, salamanders, turtles, and snakes during this exciting animal program. Live specimens aid in examining the differences between reptiles and amphibians and exploring the significance of their unique adaptations and life cycles.

Skull Study Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $5/student + $35 travel fee
Use detective skills to identify and classify a variety of skulls from local mammals, birds, and reptiles. Examine teeth, eye, and nose structures to determine their function and how the animals live in their environments.

Unhuggables Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $5/student + $35 travel fee
Spiders, bats, snakes and lizards are all animals that make many people shudder. Learn about the remarkable role these less popular animals play in the balance of nature and explore their wondrous adaptations.

Abbott's Mill - 6-8

Birds in Focus Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $5/student + $35 travel fee
Explore the unique and varied adaptations of native birds, including body shape, beaks and feet. Investigate how these adaptations help them survive in their habitats. See mounted specimens and study the diversity of species in the Delmarva region. Use binoculars on a guided bird survey through your school grounds. Find out how birds are affected by seasonal changes.

Owls in Delaware Classroom Outreach
1½ hours, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Examine the structures and adaptations for survival of four resident owl species of Delmarva. Study mounted specimens, listen and learn owl calls, and dissect owl pellets to explore the eating habits of owls.

Reptiles & Amphibians Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $5/student + $35 travel fee
Discover fascinating facts about frogs and toads, salamanders, turtles, and snakes during this exciting animal program. Live specimens aid in examining the differences between reptiles and amphibians and exploring the significance of their unique adaptations and life cycles.

Abbott's Mill - High School & Ecology Clubs

Birds in Focus Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $5/student + $35 travel fee
Explore the unique and varied adaptations of native birds, including body shape, beaks and feet. Investigate how these adaptations help them survive in their habitats. See mounted specimens and study the diversity of species in the Delmarva region. Use binoculars on a guided bird survey through different habitats. Find out how birds are affected by seasonal changes.

Owls in Delaware Classroom Outreach
1 ½ hours, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Learn about four resident owl species of Delmarva as you examine their structures and adaptations for survival. Study mounted specimens, listen and learn owl calls, and dissect owl pellets to explore the eating habits of owls.

Reptiles & Amphibians Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $5/student + $35 travel fee
Discover fascinating facts about frogs and toads, salamanders, turtles, and snakes during this exciting animal program. Live specimens aid in examining the differences between reptiles and amphibians and exploring the significance of their unique adaptations and life cycles.

Skull Study Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $5/student + $35 travel fee
Use detective skills to identify and classify a variety of skulls from local mammals, birds, and reptiles. Examine teeth, eye, and nose structures to determine their function and how the animals live in their environments.

Ashland PK-3

Animals in Winter Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
View live animals and taxidermy specimens native to Delaware to learn about different strategies for winter survival. Investigate which animals hibernate, which stay awake, and which migrate.

Discovering Habitats On Your School Grounds
1 ½ hours, $7/student + $35 travel fee
Use senses to explore the places where animals live on your own school grounds. Search for evidence of the animals and plants that live near your school and learn how specific habitats provide different animals with the requirements they need to survive; food, water, shelter, and places to raise young.

Insect Safari On Your School Grounds
1 ½ hours, $7/student + $35 travel fee
Discover insect characteristics, body structure, and diversity on your school's grounds. Delaware Nature Society staff will guide an exploration of the school green space for students to collect and observe the insects found there.

Native Americans Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Investigate the lives of the early inhabitants of Delaware as you examine tools and clothing. Experience several activities that the Lenni Lenape tribe participated in as you learn about Delaware's Native Americans.

Native Birds Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Explore the unique and varied adaptations of native birds, including body shape, feathers, beaks and feet, and investigate how these adaptations help birds survive. View mounted specimens, nests, eggs, and listen to bird calls as you learn about species in our region.

Native Wild Animals Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Learn about wild animals that are native to Delaware while noting their similarities and differences. Examine the habitats and characteristics of these wild animals with live animals and taxidermy specimens.

Reptiles & Amphibians Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Learn fascinating facts about frogs and toads, salamanders, turtles and snakes during this live animal presentation. Examine the differences between reptiles and amphibians and learn the significance of their unique adaptations and differing life cycles.

Seasonal Delight On Your School Grounds
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Take a sensory hike of your school's property to discover how the seasons affect plants and animals that live around us. Use senses to explore the environment, identify structures of organisms, and compare and contrast the properties of the plants and animals you observe.

Tree Discovery On Your School Grounds
1 ½ hours, $7/student + $35 travel fee
Take a tour of the trees on your school grounds led by Delaware Nature Society staff. Investigate the variety of trees and discuss the parts and functions of trees, how they grow, and why they are important for animals and for people.

Unhuggables Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
View live animals such as spiders, snakes and lizards to learn about the important role that these less popular and misunderstood animals play in the balance of nature.

Ashland 4-5

Demons, Dragons, and Damsels: Tales of the Night Sky Classroom Outreach
1 hour, free with application
Learn night sky tales told by ancient peoples and discover the modern interpretations of these same phenomena - the tales that science tells. Ancient stories were born of inspiration and imagination, and varied from society to society. Explore the reasons for this variation and learn why scientific accounts do not depend on cultural differences. Use your imagination to create constellations and sky stories. This program can be customized to fit your current curriculum in the sciences or the humanities and is offered free of charge through a partnership with the Delaware Humanities Forum.

Native Americans Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Investigate the lives of the early inhabitants of Delaware as you examine tools and clothing. Experience several activities that the Lenni Lenape tribe participated in as you learn about Delaware's Native Americans.

Native Birds Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Explore the unique and varied adaptations of native birds, including body shape, feathers, beaks and feet, and investigate how these adaptations help birds survive. View mounted specimens, nests, eggs, and listen to bird calls as you learn about species in our region.

Native Wild Animals Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Learn about some of the wild animals that are native to Delaware while noting their similarities and differences. Examine the habits and characteristics of these wild animals with live animals and taxidermy specimens.

Owls in Delaware Classroom Outreach
1 ½ hours, $6/student+$35 travel fee
Learn about four species of owls common to Delaware. Examine their individual structures and adaptations for survival. View mounted specimens, listen to calls, and dissect owl pellets to explore the eating habits of owls.

Reptiles & Amphibians Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Examine differences between reptiles and amphibians with live specimens. Discover the significance of their unique physical structures and life cycles. Learn how these animals function within their ecosystems and discuss the impact of human activities on their survival.

Skull Study Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Handle and classify a variety of skulls from local mammals, birds, and reptiles. Examine teeth, eye, and nose structures to determine if unknown animals are carnivores, herbivores or omnivores and discover how different animals survive in their environments.

Stream Investigation Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Examine stream water in your classroom! Identify basic types of stream pollution, use pH and dissolved oxygen test kits, sort and examine macro-invertebrates, and discuss how land use can affect water quality.

Unhuggables Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
View live animals such as spiders, snakes and lizards to learn about the important role that these less popular and misunderstood animals play in the balance of nature.

Ashland 6-8

Demons, Dragons, and Damsels: Tales of the Night Sky Classroom Outreach
1 hour, free with application
Learn night sky tales told by ancient peoples and discover the modern interpretations of these same phenomena - the tales that science tells. Ancient stories were born of inspiration and imagination, and varied from society to society. Explore the reasons for this variation and learn why scientific accounts do not depend on cultural differences. Use your imagination to create constellations and sky stories. This program can be customized to fit your current curriculum in the sciences or the humanities and is offered free of charge through a partnership with the Delaware Humanities Forum.

Owls in Delaware Classroom Outreach
1 ½ hours, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Learn about four species of owls common to Delaware as you examine their individual structures and adaptations for survival. Investigate mounted specimens, listen to calls, and dissect owl pellets to explore the eating habits of owls.

Reptile & Amphibian Workshop Classroom Outreach
1 ½ hours, $7/student + $35 travel fee
Investigate the characteristics and adaptations of snakes, lizards, frogs and turtles in this hands-on experience with live animals. After training for handling these animals, assist with feeding, and investigate their life cycles and histories using field guides.

Skull Study Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Handle and classify a variety of skulls from local mammals, birds, and reptiles. Examine teeth, eye, and nose structures to determine if unknown animals are carnivores, herbivores or omnivores. Investigate how different animals survive in their environments.

Stream Investigation Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Examine stream water in your classroom! Identify basic types of stream pollution, use pH and dissolved oxygen test kits, sort and examine macro-invertebrates, and discuss how land use can affect water quality.

Ashland High School & Ecology Clubs

Demons, Dragons, and Damsels: Tales of the Night Sky Classroom Outreach
1 hour, free with application
Learn night sky tales told by ancient peoples and discover the modern interpretations of these same phenomena - the tales that science tells. Ancient stories were born of inspiration and imagination, and varied from society to society. Explore the reasons for this variation and learn why scientific accounts do not depend on cultural differences. Use your imagination to create constellations and sky stories. This program can be customized to fit your current curriculum in the sciences or the humanities and is offered free of charge through a partnership with the Delaware Humanities Forum.

Owls in Delaware Classroom Outreach
1 ½ hours, $6/student+$35 travel fee
Learn about four resident owl species of Delmarva as you examine their structures and adaptations for survival. Study mounted specimens, listen and learn owl calls, and dissect owl pellets to explore the eating habits of owls.

Skull Study Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6 per student + $35 travel fee
Handle and classify a variety of skulls from local mammals, birds, and reptiles. Examine teeth, eye, and nose structures to determine their function and how the animals live in their environments.

Stream Investigation Classroom Outreach
1 hour, $6/student + $35 travel fee
Examine stream water in your classroom! Identify basic types of stream pollution, use pH and dissolved oxygen test kits, sort and examine macro-invertebrates, and discuss how land use can affect water quality.