Watkins Nature Center offers specific curriculum-based programs for elementary school groups. Most programs generally last about 45 minutes. All programs are by reservation only.

Programs

MAKING SENSE OF NATURE (PRE-K-K)
Use your senses to meet animals and learn in a child-friendly way to touch and enjoy nature. Students will: 1) identify the 5 senses and the related body parts, 2) classify objects based on sensory information to include color, texture, size, sound, taste, or shape.

WILD THINGS (PRE-K-ADULT)
Targeted to your age group, naturalist choose several live animals to introduce, which can include reptiles, mammals, or birds of prey. Students will: 1) identify the different characteristics of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, and 2) learn about local animal species.

BE AN EARTH SAVER (2^ND-5^TH GRADE)
This program is offered September - May. Describes how to be an earth saver by recycling, reducing, and reusing garbage and identifies the recycling symbol (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle). Students will identify and sort items, which can be recycled. Note: No live animals are used in this program.

REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS (1^ST-ADULT)
Meet local & exotic snakes, turtles, frogs and toads. Students will: 1) observe the life cycle characteristics of an amphibian, 2) describe the differences between a reptile and an amphibian, and 3) investigate and explore the behavioral patterns of reptiles and amphibians.

INVERTEBRATES (2^ND-3^RD GRADE)
Compare and contrast the differences between insects, spiders, and other spineless creatures. Students will: 1) identify the different characteristics of insects, spiders, and other invertebrates; 2) learn about the varying life cycles of insects, and 3) investigate and explore predictable behavioral patterns.

BIRDS OF PREY (2^ND GRADE-ADULT)
Meet several of our live resident hawks, owls, or vultures. Students will: 1) classify animals according to their diet, 2) describe the interdependence of living things within an ecosystem, and 3) describe behavioral and physical adaptations of birds.

ANIMALS IN WINTER (2^ND-ADULT)
This program is offered December - February. Learn how local animals survive the winter. Students will: 1) define migration and identify animals that migrate, 2) define hibernation and identify animals that hibernate, and 3) describe habitat and resource availability during winter months.

WEB OF LIFE (2^ND-5^TH GRADE)
Learn about the food chains in nature and their connections. Meet some live animals and learn how they get their dinner. Students will: 1) learn what a food chain is, and 2) describe the interdependence of living things within an ecosystem.

NATIVE AMERICANS OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND (3^RD-6^TH GRADE)
This program is offered September - May. Compare and contrast the Native Piscataway's use of natural resources in their daily lives with our use of natural resources in our daily lives. This program incorporates the use of slides, Native American artifacts, and replicas. Group size is limited to 30 students. Note: No live animals are used in this program.

ROCKS & MINERALS (4^TH-6^TH GRADE)
This program is offered September - May. Learn various uses of rocks and classify them according to their properties. Students will: 1) identify that rocks are composed of minerals, 2) describe properties of rocks to include color, size, weight, shape & texture, and 3) describe the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Group size is limited to 30 students. Note: No live animals are used in this program.

DISCOVERY HIKE (1^ST GRADE-ADULT)
Targeted to your age group, naturalists will identify some common trees and plants, identify poison ivy, and look for signs of wildlife. Group will enjoy a 45-minute walk on our trails. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Group size is limited to 15-20 persons per naturalist.