Spend a morning exploring Prairie Ridge Ecostation [2] with Museum educators as your guides. Dress for the weather and bring a snack to enjoy in between the two program sessions.
To register: Print and fill out a Homeschool Day Registration Form [3] and return the completed form along with payment to the Museum no later than April 24, 2009.
For more information or to receive a copy of the Museum’s homeschool email newsletter, contact Barbara Beaman [4] at 919.733.7450 x610. Please include your county of residence with your request.
If this event is canceled due to weather, registration checks will be returned.
Homeschool Day Program Descriptions
Activities for Ages 4 through 6
Children in this age group need to have an adult companion.
Wild Exploration
Session 1: 9:30–10:30
Session 2: 11 am–noon
Animal tracks, signs and homes are all around. We will look closely and explore the landscape in search of evidence of its inhabitants. Maybe we will even catch a glimpse of a critter who calls the prairie home!
Life at the Pond
Session 1: 9:30–10:30
Session 2: 11 am–noon
Join us as we discover the importance of having a pond in the prairie. We will learn about the animals that live in, on and around this habitat and perform pond sampling activities at the water's edge.
Programs for Ages 7 through 9
Limit 15 students per program per session.
Insect Investigations
Session 1: 9:30–10:30
Session 2: 11 am–noon
Get up close and personal with our invertebrate neighbors! Participants will learn about and discuss insect basics and how scientists catch insects for study. Each participant will then make their very own sweep net for collecting insects. We’ll take to the field to try out our nets — catching, identifying and learning about the lifestyles of our six-legged friends.
Signs of Nature
Session 1: 9:30–10:30
Session 2: 11 am–noon
Animals in nature are not always easy to see. They are secretive and their fine-tuned senses warn them in advance of approaching humans. But quite often they leave clues of their passing. During this class we will come face to face with live animals and match them to their clues. We will learn to distinguish between feeding signs, over-wintering signs and trackways. We will also learn an easy method for making plaster casts in the woods.
Programs for Ages 10 and up
Limit 15 students per program per session.
Bird Banding
Session 1: 9:30–10:30
Session 2: 11 am–noon
Learn about our native birds and how scientists study them. Participants will learn the basics of bird banding and what questions scientists are researching. Participants should dress for the weather and be able to traverse uneven ground.
ArtisTree
Session 1: 9:30–10:30
Session 2: 11 am–noon
With our secret powers of observation, we will explore selected native North Carolina trees from bark to bud. Then we’ll use visual notes and wordplay to help solidify our new knowledge.