The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center has announced its Home School Program for the 2014-15 academic year. Called Eco Explorers, the program includes hands-on activities, educational games, and standards-based learning. Students will participate in active inquiry and scientific exploration. Each week explores a different theme that connects to the meadow, forest and wetland communities at the DPNC. Our resident live animals will make guest appearances throughout the year!
Each theme is adapted to specific age groups. Please keep in mind that all Nature Center programs are taught from a scientific perspective. While these classes are run as a drop-off program, parents are welcome to stay for part or all of the classes, however please check with us about accommodating younger siblings in the classroom. The Home School programs taught by Steve Sarnoski, Molly Check and Crystal Taylor.
Who: 5-12 year olds; after enrollment is complete, children are grouped according to ages.
When: The second Tuesday of the month (October-May), from 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Where: The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, 109 Pequotsepos Road, Mystic, CT, 06355
Cost: $15/session or $120/year. Pre-registration is required.
To register: Contact Molly Check, Education Director, at 860-536-1216, ext. 20, or [email protected]
The program:
October 14: Survival Skills – Learn the basics of fire building, construct a primitive shelter, and learn valuable skills that can keep you alive in a survival situation. Work together to survive different challenges! [button size=’tiny’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’Register’ link=’https://55308.blackbaudhosting.com/55308/Homeschool’ target=”]
November 11: Geology & Fossils – Geology rocks! Go on a hike and explore incredible geological features in the area. Enjoy fun games and activities that teach about the rock cycle and rock types. [button size=’tiny’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’Register’ link=’https://55308.blackbaudhosting.com/55308/Homeschool-11Nov2014′ target=”]
December 9: Winter Ecology – What happens to plants and animals in the wintertime? Enjoy games, activities and experiments that teach about winter adaptations. Warm up inside with some hot cocoa while you meet some live animals and learn about their unique adaptations. [button size=’tiny’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’Register’ link=’https://55308.blackbaudhosting.com/55308/Homeschool-09Dec2014′ target=”]
January 13: Mammals & Animal Tracks – Animals leave clues behind that help us glimpse into their wild lives. Explore the area for tracks and animal signs left in the snow! Study animal furs, play fun games, and make a ‘Plaster of Paris’ animal track to take home! [button size=’tiny’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’Register’ link=’https://55308.blackbaudhosting.com/55308/Homeschool-13Jan2015′ target=”]
February 10: Birds – Explore the avian world around us! Learn what makes a bird unique, observe the resident birds at the feeders, and collect data to be used for Audubon’s Great Backyard Bird Count. Meet some of the hawks and owls that live at our center, and make a simple bird feeder to take home! [button size=’tiny’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’Register’ link=’https://55308.blackbaudhosting.com/55308/Homeschool-10Feb2015′ target=”]
March 10: Freshwater Life – It is springtime and life is starting to crawl, hop and swim around! Explore the nearby ponds and streams for a variety of invertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles. Use microscopes to study the organisms up close and learn about their unique adaptations. [button size=’tiny’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’Register’ link=’https://55308.blackbaudhosting.com/55308/Homeschool-10Mar2015′ target=”]
April 14: Herpetology – Learn how frogs and salamanders are different from turtles, snakes and lizards! Search the forests, fields and ponds for amphibians and reptiles, and then meet some of the center’s live animals. [button size=’tiny’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’Register’ link=’https://55308.blackbaudhosting.com/55308/Homeschool-14Apr2015′ target=”]
May 12: Flowers & Pollinators – Learn about the flowers of our fields and forests, as well as the bees and butterflies that help pollinate them. Dissect a flower and check out the parts under a microscope! We’ll use some nets and catch more butterflies for our Butterfly House. [button size=’tiny’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’Register’ link=’https://55308.blackbaudhosting.com/55308/Homeschool-12May2015′ target=”]
June 9: Marine Life – Beach day! Enjoy a field trip to the shore, where we will study the protists, plants and animals that live there. Learn about the tides and the intertidal communities that they affect. Collect shells to bring back and study! [button size=’tiny’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’Register’ link=’https://55308.blackbaudhosting.com/55308/Homeschool-09Jun2015′ target=”]