MS-LS2-5 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

MS-ESS3-3 Earth and Human Activity

MS-ETS1-1 Engineering Design

MS-LS-2.4 Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.

MS-ESS3.3 Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment

MS-LS2.5 Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

MS-ETS1.1 Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relative scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.

MS-ETS1.2 Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

Why do some animals migrate? Can a butterfly really fly all the way to Mexico? Learn about monarch migration and conservation efforts. Available in September only.

Enjoy a butterfly story, song and craft as we learn about these amazing creatures! Step into the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House for a peek at butterfly magic. Available May-September.

Students discover different habitats and evidence of a variety of animals at the Watershed Reserve. They will investigate how animals meet their basic needs, including where they live and what they eat. Students will learn how to identify animal tracks, feathers, fur, scat and other signs left by local wildlife. Available year-round.

Explore the magic that each season brings to our fields and forests. The students learn about the science of leaves changing color, animal migration and hibernation, springtime’s rebirth and summer’s wonders. Students do a discovery walk and make a large classroom mural based on their observations. Available year-round.

Become a bird and try to migrate to your new home … but watch out for power lines, jets and bad weather! Travel on the Watershed Reserve trails in an imaginary migration route where each individual meets with perils and pitfalls. Learn about New Jersey’s importance in the annual avian migration.

Children will learn how the sun’s energy vitalizes the food web, how life is interconnected and explore examples of food chains in our outdoor classrooms. The students will explore predator and prey relationships through games and during an interpretive hike. Available year-round.

During our safari we will explore some of the myths, mysteries and crucial importance of our insect neighbors. The program includes games, a hike and an insect search. Secondary students will learn about human attempts to control insect populations and the effects of those efforts upon the environment.  Available mid-May through early October.

Discover the magic and science of one of nature’s most tasty treats – maple syrup! Learn how the trees are tapped and take part in a maple syrup taste test. Available only in February and March.

Children will meet the animals in our Discovery Room and use their senses to learn more about nature before they venture out on a short hike.

What did Native American children do for fun? Take a hike through the forest, tell stories and play some Native American game. Children will also examine plants and tools used by Native Americans. Then we all join in a sharing circle to find out more about the lives of Native Americans.

Students will have a brief review of Native American culture and then collaborate to solve problems using primitive technologies. In small groups, students will use critical thinking to design and produce tools and household objects with materials that were available to the Lenape.

Would your class survive if it were lost in the wilderness for a night? Through group exploration and discussion, students will discover the basics of securing shelter, water, and food in the woods. Students will collaborate to build their own shelters from woodland materials.

Unravel the mysteries of trees. Become a part of a tree and find out how trees work as we explore tree life processes and products. Upper elementary students will use forestry tools to measure the trees and determine the approximate age.

Discover the world of butterflies, how they grow and mature, their habitat and other wonders.

Students use a variety of tools to learn about life in and around our Wargo Pond. They will explore the relationships between various animals as well as the impact of human activities on aquatic life. Students in Grades 5 and up will view pond life with our microscopes. Available mid-April through early October.

Students will examine stream life and discuss relationships between the various inhabitants as well as the effect of humans on their environment. Students will determine the stream’s environmental health through visual assessment, chemical testing, and biological monitoring. They will also discuss various conservation measures. Available from mid-April to early October.

Learn about the lives of animals in winter through stories and puppets. Discover how different animals survive the challenges of winter by meeting a variety of creatures, including a groundhog, a skunk, a bird, and an insect (all puppets) as well as a live turtle. Available December – February.

Children are introduced to reptiles through a story and a lesson about how they live and survive in the wild. This includes a visit by some live reptiles. Available December-February.

Are there really bugs in my candy? Discover the uses of insect products in our everyday lives. Explore some of the myths, mysteries, and importance of our insect neighbors.

Why does a vulture have a bald head and why is a possum’s tail like a rope? Students will become involved in the story of turtle, fox, and spider and will discover some fun facts about animals in this creative-theater program. The story, based on a legend from the Muskogee Creek tribe (original residents of the American southeast, particularly Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and North Carolina) will be followed by an animal slideshow.

Bring our Teacher-Naturalists to your school! This play-oriented, outdoor activity shows various factors that affect water quality as a stream moves through the landscape. After an introduction, the students will roll a giant die and then imagine their travels downstream on one of three waterways (rural, suburban, and urban). As they flow through the landscape, they will encounter natural and human elements that alter their water quality. The action concludes with all participants flowing into the same lake. Students will examine how the landscape influences water quality and will also discuss and explore strategies for maintaining and improving water quality. Available year round, requires a large, open area (inside or outside).