The following guide provides a full listing of pre-K education programs provided to schools and institutions. All of our top quality programs can be customized for presentation at your location unless otherwise indicated.
PRE-K – K
Animal Adventures – Year round – 60 minutes
Children will have the exciting opportunity to interact with some of our furriest, feathered, bristled, and scaly residents. This engaging class emphasizes respect for each animal and can be customized to align with your curriculum. Choose from a variety of animal groups, including mammals, nocturnal animals, reptiles, amphibians, and more.
Available as an outreach program, we bring the animals to you!
Apple Cidering – September through November – 60 minutes
Did you know that New York is the second largest apple producer in the country? In this hands-on, mouth-watering program, children will use an old-fashioned screw press to make fresh apple cider. As they turn apples into cider, students will explore the colonial traditions of cider making and enjoy a taste of the tangy results.
Each group is asked to bring 3-4 apples per participant.
This program is offered at the Nature Center only.
Bees – April through October – 60 minutes
The Nature Center is home to hundreds of thousands of buzzing bees! In this sweet and educational program, students will explore our grounds and get an up-close look at some of our six-legged residents. The hour includes hands-on experiences with real pollen, wax comb, and an empty hive, plus a delicious honey tasting, courtesy of our hardworking bees. Students will also take part in interactive activities that highlight the importance of pollination and the roles bees play within their hive.
Available as an outreach program.
A Bug’s Life – May through October – 60 minutes
Join us on an invertebrate safari and explore the fascinating world of insects! Students will compare insect life cycles to those of humans, uncover how we rely on insects in everyday life, and discover the amazing adaptations that help insects survive. The adventure includes a meet and greet with live insects, followed by a guided exploration through diverse habitats to observe them in the wild.
This program is offered at the Nature Center only.
Winter Bird Buddies – December through March – 60 minutes
Through close-up observation of birds in our live animal museum, students are introduced to the basics of avian anatomy and behavior. They’ll learn to identify common winter birds, explore why some species migrate, and discover how others adapt to cold-weather life. As a fun takeaway, each child will make a pinecone bird feeder (peanut-free!) to hang outdoors and attract feathered visitors.
This program is offered at the Nature Center only.
Maple Sugaring – March – 60 minutes
Take a sweet journey through history! Students will travel back in time to explore the origins of maple sugaring with stops at our outdoor sugaring sites, which showcase Native American, colonial, and modern-day techniques. Along the way, students will see traditional tools in action and take part in a tasty challenge. Can they tell the difference between corn syrup and 100% pure maple syrup?
This program is offered at the Nature Center only. An additional $50 materials fee applies.