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High Quality Standards
We are committed to excellence in all of our programs.
- A low student-teacher ratio
- An excellent, fun, talented education team
- Fun, hands-on, inquiry based, age appropriate
- Excellent indoor and outdoor facilities for field trips and extended day
- Common Core State Standards and STEM principles
- Your choice of a variety of unique programs with emphasis in areas of science, agriculture, and history for field trips, Bring DelNature to You, and extended day
- Convenient times on weekdays and weekends
Field Trips at DEEC
Field trips at DuPont Environmental Education Center and our other centers are a great way to engage in hands-on investigations and have a safe, fun, and educational outdoor experience. TIP: Consider scheduling both morning and afternoon programs with a picnic lunch in-between to maximize use of buses. You can also learn about field trips at our other sites: Ashland Nature Center in Hockessin, Abbott’s Mill Nature Center in Milford, and Coverdale Farm Preserve in Greenville.
Kindergarten — 3rd Grade
Senses
Program Length: 1.5 hours — Fee: $7/student — Available: Year-round — Use your senses to discover Wilmington’s wild side. Listen for sounds of nature and wildlife. Look for plants and animals and discover the textures and scents found in our botanic garden. After a hike around the gardens, use your keen senses to participate in a “senses challenge”. Request this program »
Weather Is A Breeze
Program Length: 1.5 hours — Fee: $7/student — Available: Year-round — Become a junior meteorologist as you explore how weather affects plants, animals and humans. Collect weather data using thermometers, identify cloud types and construct a water cycle. Put your knowledge to the test and dress for the weather in the “I’m prepared for precipitation” relay race. Request this program »
Exploring Entomology
Program Length: 2 hours — Fee: $7/student — Available: Year-round — Observe insects up close and personal. Examine insect anatomy including the head, abdomen, thorax, antennae, and wings under magnification. Catch and identify insects as you study biodiversity. Learn why humans depend on insects to survive in a game of ‘nectar collectors’. Request this program »
Water Wise
Program Length: 2 hours — Fee: $7/student — Available: Year-round — Discover the properties of water through scientific experimentation and examine the water cycle first hand. Investigate a tidal pond and wetland, test the permeability of different surfaces, and put water to work in a water powered obstacle course. See a video of this class » Request this program »
4th Grade – 5th Grade
Fantastic Fish
Program Length: 2 hours — Fee: $7/student — Available: Year-round — Meet the many fish of the Christina River and the marsh at DEEC. Study fish anatomy and use body parts to predict what fish eat, how fast they swim and if they are a hunter or the hunted. Use a spinning cast net, reel in fish traps, and dip with nets to try your luck catching fish. Request this program »
Land & Water
Program Length: 2 hours — Fee: $7/student — Available: Year-round — Look at the land from the perspective of an osprey, raccoon, and snapping turtle. In the marsh, find evidence of water interacting with the land. Investigate how humans affect soil erosion and deposition. Request this program »
6th Grade and up
Wilmington’s Wetlands & Watershed – Grades 6-8
Program Length: 2.5 hours — Fee: $8/student — Available: Year-round — Think globally, act locally to learn what wetlands and watersheds have to do with the quality of our streams and rivers. Test four water quality parameters, investigate point source and non-point source pollutants, and measure biodiversity along the Christina River and its adjacent wetlands. See a video of this class » Request this program »
Climate Change Science – Grades 6-8
Program Length: 2 hours — Fee: $7/student — Available: Year-round — Explore what sea level rise would mean for Wilmington’s Riverfront and survey the aquatic biodiversity of the marsh to learn what’s at stake. Conduct a science experiment that demonstrates the greenhouse gas effect and examine what you can do to reduce the effects of global climate change. Request this program »
Exploring By Canoe – Grades 6-12
Program Length: 3 hours — Fee: $20/student — Available: Year-round — Take your group or class on an adventure as you canoe the Christina River and the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge, a freshwater tidal marsh on the edge of the city of Wilmington. They are home to a tremendous diversity of wildlife. Learn basic paddling skills, hike along the shore to survey plant and animal life, and discover the functions and importance of wetlands. Canoes, paddles and life preservers included in cost, no canoeing experience required. Age minimum: 12 year old. Request this program »
You may also call 302.413.5054, Mon – Fri between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Bring DelNature to You
Invite Delaware Nature Society to come to your classroom with activities and animals! We’ll introduce your students to the natural world and inspire them to care for wildlife.
View Preschool Program Topics View K-12 Program Topics
School/Homeschool Program Request form
You may also call 302.413.5054, Mon – Fri between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Extended Day
Immerse your class in science and discovery with an extended experience at Ashland Nature Center, Coverdale Farm Preserve, or Abbott’s Mill Nature Center. One to three day programs are developed collaboratively with teachers, assuring that your class’s goals and objectives are integrated. A great kickoff or culminating activity for your class!
To schedule your Extended-Day
call 302.413.5054, Mon – Fri, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Prescheduled Programs Available to Homeschoolers
Homeschoolers can also join in on prescheduled nature activities – check out options for a variety of ages in our Activities Calendar.
Policies
All programs
Advance registration for all programs is required.
Overnights
Non-refundable deposit of $260 (equivalent to 12 participants) is required to reserve an Overnight. Deposit is due within two (2) weeks of making the reservation. Balance is due 30 days prior to the program. The minimum price for an overnight is $300 (based on the regular overnight price of 12 participants @ $25 each).
Field trip programs
Full payment (non-refundable) is required 30 days prior to the pro-gram; payable by check or credit card. Ashland field studies require a minimum of 5 participants and Ashland overnights require a minimum of 10 participants.