Programs at the Historic Schoolhouse
The
Schoolhouse, Discovery Creek's original
site, includes 12 acres of beautiful majestic hardwood forest, hiking trails,
natural rock outcroppings, and a meandering creek. All programs take place inside the Schoolhouse and outside on the trails. Each program description is followed by a parenthetical list of the National Science Content Standards with which it correlates - click on the list for more information.
Programs for 3 year olds
Length: 1 hour
Animal Builders
Why do people have homes? Where do animals live? Are their homes made like ours? How do they make their homes and what
do they use to make them? Meet live animal builders and discover the amazing
structures that they weave, burrow, shape, or sculpt. Explore the Museum's forest
in search of evidence of animal homes.
(LS, SI, ST)
Insects Head-to-Toe
It's no mystery-insects are everywhere! Come search under leaf, limb, and blade and discover what makes an insect an insect. Join us as we explore insect body parts and their functions.
Bring your curious mind and adventurous spirit to this incredible insect safari.
(LS, SI)
Lively Life Cycles
Note: Offered March - May only
Ever wanted to grow an extra set of legs or a pair of wings? From egg to bird, caterpillar to butterfly and tadpole to frog come and explore how different animals grow and change. Meet
live animals in various stages of their life cycles.
(LS, SI)
Silly About Senses
What are our senses? How do animals sense the world around them? Meet some super-sensory animals and sharpen your senses as you step into the shoes (or paws) of a variety
of animals. See, hear, smell, and touch the wilds of Discovery Creek while exploring the differences between human and animal senses.
(LS, SI)
Winter Wonders
Note: Offered December - February only
When the weather gets colder, what happens to our animal friends? Follow the story of some local animals as they search for the best way to survive the winter. Will they hibernate, migrate or stay
awake? Meet live animals and go on a hike through the winter woods.
(LS, PS, SI, SP)
Programs for Pre-K - 1st Grade
Length: 1 hour
Animal Abodes
Why are homes important? How are animal shelters and homes like human houses? Meet live animal builders and discover the amazing structures that they weave, burrow, shape, or sculpt. Identify the diversity of materials used to build these homes. Explore the Museum's forest in search of evidence of animal homes.
(LS, SI, ST)
Animal Sensations
See, hear, smell, and touch the wilds of Discovery Creek while exploring the differences between human and animal senses. Meet some super-sensory animals and sharpen your senses as you step into the shoes (or paws) of a variety of animals.
(LS, SI)
Eggs to Legs
Note: Offered March - May only
Explore how animals change and grow! Investigate and compare the life cycles of mammals, birds, and amphibians while discovering the extraordinary changes that these animals undergo as they grow. Step outside into nature's nursery and hunt for clues to animal lifecycles.
(LS, SI)
Groovy Growers!
Note: Offered March - May only
Ready for an adventure of a lifetime? Unfurl your wings and fly through the wonder-filled world of insect metamorphosis. Change is the name of the life-cycle game! Transform, twist, and turn through the insect story as you learn all about caterpillars and chrysalises.
(LS, SI)
Incredible Insects
Ever wondered what makes an insect an insect? You'll be buzzing over this introduction to the world of insects: the fundamental facts about insects' bodies and functions. Creep and crawl your way through meeting live insects and discovering how their bodies are similar and different from our own.
(LS, SI)
Soil Sleuths
Get your hands dirty as you investigate the world of soil! Turn into a saucy soil chef as you learn the recipe for healthy dirt. Investigate how rocks and leaves are broken down over time to become part of the soil. Meet some of the amazing critters that call the soil home!
(ESS, LS, SI)
Snow Place Like Home
Note: Offered December - February only
Where do all the animals go in winter? Discover the hidden hibernators, the
mighty migrators, and subnivean superheroes (those that live in the space between
the snow and the soil) and learn how they have adapted to life in the deep freeze.
(LS, PS, SI, SP)
Tropical Treehouse
Take your students on a journey to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Meet live rainforest residents as you learn the layers of this ecosystem. Discover why rainforests are so important to the earth. Take a hike through Discovery Creek's forest and compare it to a tropical rainforest.
(LS, SI, SP)
Programs for 2nd - 6th Grade
Length: 1 1/2 hours
A Look Through the Layers
What makes the rainforest so important? Journey to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America to meet some live rainforest residents. Learn the layers of the rainforest, find out about fantastic rainforest products, and make a chewy rainforest treat! Students will investigate what makes this ecosystem so important to them and to the planet before taking a hike through the Museum's trails to study the differences between the temperate forest and the tropical rainforest.
(LS, SI, Sp)
Animal Architects
How are animal homes and shelters like human houses? How are they different? Why are homes and shelters important? Encounter live animal builders and learn about the amazing structures that animals weave, burrow, shape, or sculpt. Identify the diversity of materials used to build these homes and then take the "builder's challenge" to create an animal shelter. Search for animal homes on a hike through Discovery Creek's forest.
(LS, SI, ST)
Bug Basics
Tired of hearing your students refer to insects as "bugs"? Jump into the world of insects and their kin and discover what makes an insect an insect. Get in-sync with live insects, create your own insect and try to expose some insect imposters. It's wings, eggs and legs in this introduction to the world of insects.
(LS, SI)
Creek Critters
Note: Offered March - May only
Delve deep into water to explore the water cycle, watersheds, and the creek at Discovery Creek! Students will turn over rocks in Battery Kemble Run to search for tiny animals that help us determine the quality of our water. Learn how your class's actions can influence the health of the Chesapeake Bay through this Meaningful Bay Experience.
(LS, SI, SP)
Out On a Limb
Are your students stumped by trees? Do they ever wonder what it would be like to live inside a tree? Take your students on an adventure that reaches up to the treetops and shoots down to the roots as they explore the inner workings of a tree. Investigate the role that trees play in our local temperate forest ecosystem and search for animals that live in and around trees.
(LS, SI, SP)
Scales and Trails
Toads, turtles, snakes, salamanders, lizards, and frogs - what are they? We'll clear up the confusion by investigating the differences between reptiles and amphibians. Students will become herpetologists as they test out their identification skills when meeting some slimy and scaly friends. They will discover these creatures' amazing adaptations that allow them to survive as well as some of the ways these animals are helpful to humans.
(LS, SI)
The Dirt on Soil
Get your hands dirty as you investigate the world of soil! Learn how dirt is made and discover why it is so important. Meet live decomposers and learn why these creatures are essential to the earth. Students will take part in the making of brand new soil as they investigate how rocks and leaves are broken down over time to become parts of the soil.
(ESS, LS, SI)
Terrific Transformations
Note: Offered March - May only
Bee-lieve it or not, change is inevitable! See how time "flies" through insect life cycles, stages, and ages: from monarchs to mantids, crickets to katydids, master the metamorphic mystery in this important part of the insect life story. Learn about both complete and simple metamorphosis with live insects!
(LS, SI)
You Are Here!
Feeling a little lost? Learn how to use maps, compasses, and landmarks to navigate your way through the world around you. Discover how different navigational systems help guide animals and humans by directing them to their destinations. Once students have mastered their map and compass skills, we'll solve an outdoor mystery mission on the Museum's trails!
(SI, ST)
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