Sweetbriar Nature Center Educational Program Descriptions

Overview New Programs Meet New York State Standards Policies and Procedures

15% Discount for field trips booked during the months of December, January, and February

Pre-School, Kindergarten, Grade 1

At the nature center

Five Senses
90 minutes 6.50/child
Children use their senses as they explore the nature preserve... They are introduced to our live resident animals as they use their senses to learn about the special traits of reptiles, birds and mammals. The children will receive a special sticker to remind them of the joy of using their senses in the natural world.

Life Cycles
90 minutes 6.50/child
Through stories, role playing, and direct interaction with the natural world, children will learn that all things in nature change, and that many of the changes are cycles including life cycles. The life cycles represented are that of plants, butterflies and frogs.

Treasure of the Tropical Rain Forest
1 hour 6.50/child
Children will discover some of the wonders of the tropical rain forests and begin to appreciate the wonders of this ancient ecosystem. Children will take a trek through a mock rain forest, meet live animals and end with a fun, participatory activity to remind them about life in the rain forest.

Discovering Dinosaurs
1 hour 6.50/child
This program introduces students to the world of dinosaurs, through observation and discovery. Through a mock fossil dig, a dinosaur scavenger hunt, and live animals, students will be introduced to these awesome creatures and how paleontologists find out about them using fossils. Create a dinosaur craft to take home.

At your facility

Animal Interviews
55 minute 6.00/child
Live examples of each of the mammal, bird and reptile families are brought to your classroom. The presentation will focus on the characteristics that make each wildlife family unique. Experience a scaly snake, an ancient turtle, a curious bird, and a furry mammal.

Discovering Dinosaurs
1 hour 6.00/child
This program introduces students to the world of dinosaurs, through observation and discovery. Through a mock fossil dig, a dinosaur scavenger hunt, and live animals, students will be introduced to these awesome creatures and how paleontologists find out about them using fossils. Create a dinosaur craft to take home.

Elementary (Grades 2-4)

At the nature center

Discovering Nature
2 hour 7.00/child
Children experience woodland and wetland habitats as they wander along the trails of the preserve. They observe and learn about local wildlife and how the natural world works. Each group of children participates at stations where they meet local reptiles, birds and mammals and the adaptations that help each to survive

Feathered Friends
2 hours 7.00/child
This is an introduction to the world of birds. By observing our resident non-releasable birds, taking a close look at feathers and dressing in costumes, the children learn what makes birds different from other animals, and what adaptations are crucial in the life of each bird.

Butterflies & Moths
2 hours 8.00/child
Discover the world of butterflies and moths and learn about the role they play in the natural world. Your class will meet these beautiful creatures under the microscope, in slides, posters, as preserved specimens and living in the wild. They will be given a butterfly craft to put together at the center or back at the classroom. Students will visit the gardens and/or the butterfly house. (Butterfly House is open late May through September).

Vertebrate Parade
2 hours $7.00/child
Your class will be introduced to a parade of vertebrates as they learn about amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals as they find out what makes a vertebrate, a vertebrate, and learn the differences between the four groups presented. Students will meet a few members of each group and discover there are many differences even among similar animals.

Insects and Their Kin
2 hours 7.00/child
Insects and their kin are some of the most common creatures on the face of the earth. Through hands-on activities, costumes and live and mounted specimens, children will learn what makes insects unique, their importance to human beings and the natural world and their incredible variety. Students can view a working bee hive when available.

Treasure of the Tropical Rain Forest
2 hours 7.50/child
Children will discover the awesome diversity of life in the rain forest and begin to appreciate the wonders of this ancient ecosystem. Children will take a trek through a mock rain forest, meet live animals and take a visual journey through the life in its layers. An interactive game show is included upon request.

Raptors
90 minutes 7.00/child
This program will introduce students to live birds of prey. They will meet owls, falcons, and hawks and learn about the adaptations that help these beautiful raptors survive. We will also discuss the raptors’ role as predators at the top of the food chain. Owl pellets will be dissected and examined.

Web of Life
2 hours 7.00/child
Even the most common living things have some of the most amazing connections. Students will connect themselves into the Web of Life, follow a real estate agent around to assist them in finding homes for wildlife, and meet live animals to help them learn about the interdependency of all life.

Elementary (Grades 2-4)

At your facility

Treasures of the Tropical Rain Forest
55 minutes 6.00/child
Students will discover the wonders of this unique ecosystem and the ominous future it faces. Through a slide presentation, live rain forest animals, and a treasure trove of products, students will learn the importance of one of the most diverse places on Earth.

Mammals
55 minutes 6.00/child
Both live mammals and mounted specimens will visit your classroom to highlight the unique adaptations of mammals. Mammal habitats, survival techniques, senses, homes and various mammal life-styles will also be covered. Your students will enjoy describing how they feel as they touch our friendly rabbit, ferret, chinchilla, and special mammal guest.

Predator/ Prey
55 minute program 6.00/child
For all living things, survival is the name of the game. Nature is a world of eat or be eaten, kill or be killed. Predators and prey have unique tools and behaviors that enable them to survive. Through skulls, live animals and stories, students will learn firsthand about the adaptations of predators and prey.

Reptiles and Amphibians
55 minutes 6.00/child
Live reptiles and amphibians are observed and compared during a cooperative learning experience that stresses observation and data collection. Survival strategies and natural histories of reptiles and amphibians are compared and discussed.

The World of Birds
55 minutes 6.00/child
What makes a bird a bird? Feathers, lots of feathers. Meet and touch a live chicken. Compare it to a live owl or hawk. Learn about songbirds, the mystery of migration, egg laying, nests, protective coloration and much more. Costumes may be used to aid in a discussion of specialized tools and characteristics of bird families.

Birds of Prey
55 minutes 7.00/child
Have live raptors visit your students. Students will meet owls, falcons and hawks and learn about the adaptations that help these awesome birds survive. Learn how humans are part of the picture, and how we can help. Students will learn each bird’s stories about how they came to be at Sweetbriar.

Butterflies and Moths
55 minutes 6.00/child
Discover the world of butterflies and moths and learn about the role they play in the natural world. Your class will meet these beautiful creatures under the microscope, in slides, posters, and as preserved specimens.

Threatened Species
55 minutes 6.00/child
Live animals are brought into the classroom, each with its own special story. Topics discussed include endangered species, disappearing habitats, the exotic animal trade, conservation, and ways individuals can help. Visiting animals may include an iguana, a ferret, a chinchilla and a raptor.

Middle School (Grades 5-8)

At the Nature Center

Survival!
2 hours 7.00/child
Winter is a difficult time for all living things. All life forms, including humans, have many strategies for survival. Students will meet with some of our resident animals, explore our preserve for signs of wildlife, and become problem solvers as they are put in a survival situation.

The Variety of Life
Grades 5 - 8
2 hours 7.00/child
The earth abounds with life. Scientists are continually exploring, discovering, observing and classifying this life. Students will explore the diversity of life through interaction with our resident wildlife, an exercise in taxonomy and by visiting natural communities on our preserve.

Long Island: Wildlife on the Brink
Grades 5 - 8
2 hours 7.00/child
Long Island, as many places around the world, is a difficult place for most living things to live and flourish. How and why is much of the wildlife in trouble? Students will meet some animals of Long Island and other animals that are endangered, threatened or of special concern

At your facility

Birds of Prey
55 minutes 7.00/child
Have t live raptors visit your students. Students will meet owls, falcons and hawks and learn about the adaptations that help these awesome birds survive. Learn how humans are part of the picture, and how we can help. Students will learn each of their Survival!

High School

Arrange a field trip that fits your classroom needs and time format. Popular topics include wetlands ecology, Long Island environment, insects, live reptiles and amphibians, birds of prey, threatened species and predator-prey relationships. (Call for information.)

Why no assemblies for most programs
Only the ‘Birds of Prey’ and “Threatened Species” programs are available as an assembly. We believe your students will learn much more from a setting where they have close encounters with our staff and wildlife.

Assembly fees per day
First assembly $350
Second assembly $300
Third assembly $250
Fourth assembly $200