Rolling Rainforest
Programs
...a "curriculum on wheels"
The
Rolling Rainforest is a state-of-the-art mobile exhibition that provides immersion opportunities for children to learn about their impact on the world's ecosystems. This "curriculum on wheels" provides Discovery Creek's educators with a backdrop for environmental education programs that are hands-on, inquiry-based, and require critical thinking.
Program Overview
When the
Rolling Rainforest travels to schools and communities, visitors
enjoy an experience beyond any other. At the schools, Museum educators work with
elementary-grade teachers and students to provide 2 1/2-hour programs. Teachers
may select from a variety of programs that cover subjects such as biodiversity,
people and culture, migration, and scientific expeditions. To prepare for and conclude these programs, Discovery Creek provides pre- and post-visit activities to teachers.
Click here for descriptions
of the various Rolling Rainforest programs.
Program Goals
The Rolling Rainforest aims to introduce students to the rainforest ecosystem and its importance globally and locally; to explore students' connections to the rainforest and the ways they affect it; and to use the rainforest as a springboard for exploring their own environment.
Mobile Exhibition Specs
The
Rolling Rainforest is a tropical rainforest exhibition housed in a tractor-trailer that is 53-feet long, 8 1/2-feet wide, and 13 1/2-feet high. When the entrance stairs are in use, the width increases to 17 feet.
Logistics
- The
Rolling Rainforest is generally on campus for one week. Shorter
visits may be arranged depending on school size and budget. For a one-week visit,
the truck will arrive early Monday morning and depart Friday by 5 pm.
- The
Rolling Rainforest must be positioned in a site that ensures
easy access and maneuverability for the driver, as well as limited disturbance
for the students. We make every effort to park the truck in your preferred spot,
but the final location of the truck is at the discretion of the driver and Museum
staff. Overnight security for the trailer will be provided by the Museum; however,
all efforts on the part of school faculty and staff to protect the trailer from
vandalism are much appreciated.
- To ensure safety, advise students not to play near the trailer. No one should
climb the front or rear stairs unless engaged in a
Rolling Rainforest
program.
Classroom and Scheduling Logistics
For Global Getaway programming, a schedule for each class's timed entry to the
Rolling Rainforest should be created using a Global Getaway scheduling
worksheet, which will be sent to your school in advance of the exhibition's
visit. It is at the school's discretion as to which classes visit during which
time slots. Classes should be escorted by their teacher to the trailer at their appointed time.
Scientific Investigations, Predator/Prey, Mayan Culture, and Migratory Birds programs require a 1 1/2- to 2 1/2-hour uninterrupted block of time. During a one-week school visit, up to eight of these programs may be scheduled. Each program group may not have more than 30 students.
The
Rolling Rainforest Manager will work with your school's schedule
to customize a
Rolling Rainforest visit that best meets your needs.
She will provide you with schedules, a contract, and pre-activities before the
Rolling Rainforest arrives at your school.
Additional Information
- Any other visitation besides school staff, teachers and students must be approved
by the
Rolling Rainforest Manager.
- Each school may plan an Open House, which welcomes all children, adults, and
friends of the school's community to visit the
Rolling Rainforest.
We recommend that this event be scheduled towards the end of the
Rolling
Rainforest visit. The date of the Open House must be pre-approved by the
Rolling Rainforest Manager.
- Any printed material promoting the
Rolling Rainforest must be submitted
in advance to the
Rolling Rainforest Manager for approval. The
Rolling
Rainforest Manager must also be informed of any press-related events.
