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Environmental Education
Since 1962, the South Shore Natural Science Center has worked with schools to
cultivate an awareness, appreciation, and concern for the natural environment.
The mission of the South Shore Natural Science Center is to
provide natural science experiences that educate,
excite, and commit every generation to preserve the environment and to encourage
responsible use, stewardship and enjoyment of our
natural resources.
The Science Center specializes in providing hands-on, interactive learning
experiences that encourage investigation of the natural world. Our programs
explore timely natural science themes and enrich understanding of human
interrelationships with the environment. They are designed to invite
participation and active inquiry, and to develop environmental literacy.
Environmental education programs are offered for children in preschool through
twelfth grade. Programs are held at the SSNSC, or in
the community, either at your school or at other sites such as the
seashore or conservation lands. All programs are connected
to the Science and Technology/Engineering curriculum framework.
The SSNSC is committed to environmental education and dedicated to protecting
natural resources and the quality of life on the South Shore.
At The Science Center
The Science Center's environmental education
programs offer indoor and outdoor learning activities. Out on the
trails, children explore diverse wildlife habitats: woodlands, meadows,
wetlands, and Jacobs Pond. At the nature center, children meet wildlife
up close, take part in real scientific investigations, and enjoy
hands-on exhibits.
Nature programs are held year round at the Science Center, with special
topics offered seasonally in the fall, winter, spring, and summer.
A number of
pre- and
post-visit activities have been developed to
help integrate our programs into the classroom curriculum.
These activities have been categorized by grade-level and subject.
Programs
are tailored to the learning needs of each group.
All of our education programs are led by experienced
teacher/naturalists. One naturalist is assigned to each group of 10-12
children. Program lengths refer to time spent with a naturalist.
Visitors are welcome to extend their stay by hiking the trails,
picnicking, and touring the exhibit halls on their own. Admission to the
nature center and use of our facilities are included in the program
cost. Special formats, including extended and all-day programs, are
available.
Program
Fees:
| 1 hour program |
$10/child |
| 1.5 hour program |
$11/child |
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In The Community
Nature Presentations
Naturalists from the Science Center can visit your school with live
animals and selections from our natural history collection to make a
wildlife presentation. These 45 minute programs are limited to a
maximum of 50 students. Subsequent presentations may be scheduled
on the same day to accommodate more classes.
Program Fees:
| $200 |
one 45 minute presentation |
| $100 |
subsequent presentations on the same day |
Great Explorations
Do you have a wild school site waiting for curious minds to investigate?
Want to dissect owl pellets or study a frog's life? Naturalists will
visit your school to provide hands-on science experiences indoors or
out! Two naturalists work with each class; programs are one hour long.
Program Fees: costs vary with the design of each
program.
After School Enrichment Programs
These after school enrichment programs offer in-depth, active exploration
of high-interest topics: Prehistoric Creatures, Kitchen Chemistry,
Young Scientist and much more. Each
program runs for six weeks; maximum of 10 children per
class.
Program Fee: $450 |
Education Partnerships
An education partnership is a collaboration between the SSNSC
and another organization providing comprehensive environmental education
over two or more sessions in an academic year.
Partnerships might include: naturalist-guided programs at the SSNSC,
outreach programs at a school or community site, educators' workshops,
or consulting services for site interpretation and habitat enhancement.
Partnership projects are eligible for reduced program fees.
Costs vary with the design of each partnership. |
Other Programs
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Educators Workshops,
including PDP's, Project Learning Tree & Projects Wet & Wild |
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Adult Evening and Saturday
Lectures |
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Natural Science
Consultation and Outdoor Interpretation |
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Program Registration
Advance registration is required for all programs. We suggest
scheduling spring programs three months in advance. To confirm your
reservation, a non-refundable deposit of $50 is required. The
balance is due on the day of the program. At your option, payment in
full may be made in advance. Cash, checks, and credit cards
(MasterCard, VISA, and Discover) are accepted.
Please provide one adult chaperone for every ten children. To help us
become acquainted, we ask that visitors wear name tags. For Outdoor
programs, please wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Programs
are held rain or shine!
For more information or to register, please contact
Mary Lou Hammond, Education Director at (781) 659-2559
x 214 or education@ssnsc.org. |
SSNSC Education Staff
Mary Lou Hammond,
Education Director
M.S. Environmental Studies/ Communications, Antioch
New England Graduate School
B.S. Business Education, Salem State College
MA Certification in Elementary Education, Bridgewater
State College
Louise
Beaudry, Naturalist and Exhibit Curator
B.S. Natural Science, Secondary Education, Lyndon State College
Barbara Devine, Senior Naturalist
B.S. Landscape Architecture, University of Massachusetts
Debbie Hill, Naturalist
B.S. Natural Resource Conservation, University of
Connecticut
Karen Kurkoski,
Naturalist and Animal Curator
B.A. Biology, College of Our Lady of the Elms
Melissa Kurkoski, Naturalist and
Scout Coordinator
B.S. Environmental Science, Lyndon State College
Dorothy MacFarlane, Naturalist
and Botanist
Ph.D. Biology, Northeastern University; M.A. in Physiology, Southern
Illinois University;
B.A. Biology, Northeastern University
Krista Peters, Naturalist, Summer Camp Director, and
Birthday Party Coordinator
M.S. Environmental Science, Miami University of Ohio
B.A. Biology, Washington and Jefferson College |
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