Search for School Programs at Drumlin Farm

Many animals learn to make city landscapes and suburban backyards their habitat. Learn how unique adaptations help them to thrive in these ever-changing environments.

Please note this is an in-classroom program with live native wildlife.

Search along sanctuary trails for tracks and signs of the plants and animals that live there. Observe similarities and differences in body parts, structures, behaviors, and functions as you investigate what it means to be adapted to their home.

Explore field, forest, and wetland habitats to create an in-depth study of life cycles, adaptations, food webs, and habitats. Please choose one of the following focus groups: mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, insects.
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Observe native wildlife and discover how animals use their five senses to interact with their habitats and each other.

Please note this is an in-classroom program with live native wildlife.

As we continue to expand where we live, work, and play, many animals have had to adaptby making backyards and city parks their habitat. Investigate how birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians survive within a changing ecosystem and climate.

Please note this is an in-classroom program with live native wildlife.

Observe native birds of prey and learn how specialized adaptations help them see, hear, fly, and catch food. Investigate the role that birds of prey play within their ecosystems.

Please note this is an in-classroom program with live native wildlife.

Observe native birds of prey as you learn about behavioral and physical adaptations they use to hunt and catch prey. Investigate the role that birds of prey play within their ecosystems.

Please note this is an in-classroom program with live native wildlife.

Explore evidence of the short-term and long-term changes in the landscape by examining signs of erosion and weathering, glacial features, and soil composition.

Explore evidence of the short-term and long-term changes in the landscape by examining signs of erosion and weathering, glacial features, and soil composition.

Explore evidence of the short-term and long-term changes in the landscape by examining signs of erosion and weathering, glacial features, and soil composition.

Learn how our local ecosystems are changing over time and how the way humans live impacts our climate. What is the balance between Earth's limited resources and our basic needs? Investigate Drumlin Farm's sustainable farming practices and land management techniques as we discuss what we observe and climate-friendly changes we can make in our communities.

Investigate the life cycles of wild and domestic plants as you study the relationship between structure and function in an investigation of seeds and how they travel. Observe how the roots, leaves, stems, and flowers function together to help the plant grow and reproduce. Discover the important role pollinators play and explore how plants help landscapes stay resilient and healthy.

Learn about the unique adaptation of egg-laying as you study egg development and compare and contrast various animals that lay eggs,including reptiles, amphibians or insects.

Please note this is an in-classroom program with live native wildlife.

All living things are connected. Observe native animals, and learn about their adaptations, habitats, and interrelationships with each other, humans, and the environment.

Please note this is an in-classroom program with live native wildlife.

Learn about growing crops and raising livestock as you help us with our daily chores in our fields and barns. Explore how and why we grow and raise what we produce, and how food gets from the farm to your table. Observe different earth-friendly farming practices and discuss how they support healthy food and a healthy planet. Depending on the season, participate in planting, weeding, harvesting, or caring for livestock.

Through observation and asking questions, investigate field, forest, and wetland habitats searching for the sources of food, water, shelter, and space that plants and animals need in order to successfully live there.

Meet live wildlife as you compare their physical and behavioral adaptations and how these relate to their roles within an ecosystem. Learn where it lives and how climate change may be affecting it. Can focus on an animal group, habitat, energy flow, or winter adaptations.

Explore field, forest, and wetland habitats as you look for tracks and other signs of native wildlife. Search for food, water, shelter, and space that supports the basic needs of the plants and animals that live here.

Study a variety of native wildlife and learn where they live and why. Through observation and inquiry, investigate New England habitats and how different animals adapt to different ecosystems.

Please note this can be either an in-classroom program with live native wildlife or outdoor schoolyard investigation or combination of both.

Use dip-nets and other tools as you explore the unique life cycles of the organisms that live in the water and depend on wetland and upland habitats to survive.
Locations: At a sanctuary or water body near your school

Explore fields, gardens, barns, and trails at your own pace as you experience life on a farm. Interact with our teacher naturalists at learning stations as they engage in daily chores and farm activities. Observe and learn about wild animals that live in New England, enjoy a scenic hayride, and taste farm-fresh treats!

Please note this is a self-guided program.

(February-March)

Explore the history and production of this traditional New England crop. Learn about the structure, function and seasonal adaptations of maple trees as we transform sap into syrup. We'll examine the trees, collect sap, do some taste-testing and learn about sugaring equipment of today and yesteryear.

Study mouse families and learn how they interact with each other and their habitat. Observe mice at different life stages as they investigate their surroundings, eat, care for their young, and create shelter.

Please note this is an in-classroom program with live animals.

Explore the mysteries of nature through the seasons, from the comfort of your classroom and/or schoolyard habitat. Students will use their senses, compare and contrast, meet a live organism, and learn through movement activities and observations.

Please note this is an in-classroom program with live native wildlife.

Use dip nets and other scientific equipment to collect and discuss data and study organisms that live in and depend on wetland habitats. Discover their unique life cycles as you explore the water and surrounding upland habitat.

Use aquatic sampling equipment to collect, identify, and compare physical, chemical, and biological aspects of pond and vernal pool ecosystems. Study the unique adaptations of organisms that require these habitats to complete their life cycle. Develop observational and critical thinking skills by learning to use identification keys and field guides while collecting and analyzing data.

Learn about the process of growing, raising, and harvesting food as you work in our fields and with our livestock. Uncover challenges involved in getting food from farm to table. What are the energy, quality of life, and ecological issues surrounding the food industry? How is food production tied to habitat protection and climate change? Depending on the season, participate in feeding, mucking, planting, weeding or harvesting.

Working directly in fields and barns, explore the challenges of raising food and how it connects with climate change. Depending on the season, chores may include planting, weeding, harvesting, mucking, or feeding.

Learn about the process of growing, raising, and harvesting food as you work in our fields and with our livestock. Uncover challenges involved in getting food from farm to table. What are the energy, quality of life, and ecological issues surrounding the food industry?
How is food production tied to habitat protection? Depending on the season, participate in feeding, mucking, planting, weeding or harvesting.

Learn about the process of growing, raising, and harvesting food as you work in our fields and with our livestock. Uncover challenges involved in getting food from farm to table. What are the energy, quality of life, and ecological issues surrounding the food industry?
How is food production tied to habitat protection? Depending on the season, participate in feeding, mucking, planting, weeding or harvesting.

Join Mass Audubon educators as we learn how energy from the sun powers life on Earth, both living processes and the technologies we use to power our communities. Each lesson explores one aspect of the energy cycle within biotic and abiotic systems; including photosynthesis, consumers, decomposers, renewable, and non-renewable energies.

Trees provide much more than shade or pretty additions to city streets and neighborhood parks. This unit explores habitats, adaptations, and life cycles, with trees as a unifying theme. With accessibility to all learners as a priority, lessons highlight the diversity of trees across various Massachusetts habitats, including suburban, urban and rural areas. Nature journaling assignments highlight observation and other science skills and encourage students to choose a tree near their home or school to chronicle throughout the unit.

Are trees the solution to climate change? Through place-based, inquiry driven investigation, students will study the role of trees in the carbon cycle, and expand their investigation to find out whether forest sequestration, or indeed any one nature-based solution, is enough to fight climate change. Finally, students will explore their own role as a changemaker by planning a collective, climate-positive action.

In this unit we will explore different types of "minibeasts", or invertebrates, like worms, pill bugs, and more. Students will engage in outdoor investigations to find out where the best place is for a minibeast to live. Students will document their observations in field journals as they explore different habitats in their schoolyard and use models to explain how these habitats may or may not support the needs of invertebrates. Finally, students will expand their investigation to explore the role invertebrates play to enrich the soil, and understand how humans can learn from them to reduce their footprint and protect their local environment.

In this unit, students will get outside and investigate the ways stronger storms impact their communities, specifically through rain and snow. They will identify places of vulnerability and places of resilience in their schoolyard or neighborhood. As a culminating project, they will design solutions to help reduce the impacts of stronger storms in their area and communicate it with members of their community.

Investigate the life cycles of wild flora and domestic crops, from seed to mature plant. Study photosynthesis, seed dispersal, and plant structures, functions, and adaptations as you conduct investigations in our forest and fields. Learn the important role pollinators play in our local ecosystems and food production.

ecosystem, and observe native wildlife such as birds, mammals, and amphibians that depend on worms and other invertebrates for food and survival.

Please note this is an in-classroom program with live native wildlife.

Observe native wildlife that directly depend on soil for food and shelter. Investigate your schoolyard or a nearby habitat to collect different soil types and compare their properties as you learn how healthy soil supports a

healthy planet and climate.

Please note this can be either an in-classroom program with live native wildlife or outdoor schoolyard investigation or combination of both.

People aren't the only ones who recycle. Study worms and native mammals, birds, and reptiles to find out how animals recycle, too!

Please note this is an in-classroom program with live native wildlife.

Investigate soil composition in various habitats including field, forest, farm, and wetland. As you collect and analyze samples, identify properties of soil and learn about erosion, decomposition, absorption, and other key characteristics of this critical ecosystem. Discuss how healthy soil supports a healthy food system and climate.

Use scientific tools to investigate samples of aquatic life with the guidance from Mass Audubon staff. Program content is similar to Life in the Water and Wetland Communities programs (adapted for age-appropriateness) and makes for a great precursor to these programs. Add a live wildlife visit to complete your wetland food web exploration.
Location: At your school

Use scientific tools to investigate samples of aquatic life with the guidance from Mass Audubon staff. Program content is similar to Life in the Water and Wetland Communities programs (adapted for age-appropriateness) and makes for a great precursor to these programs. Add a live wildlife visit to complete your wetland food web exploration.
Location: At your school

We'll take you to a local wetland (pond, vernal pool or river) or bring a wetland to you! Learn about these important habitats through native wildlife observation and water sample investigation. Collect and record data as you explore plants, insects, and animals, and discover the role wetlands and healthy water play in sustaining local biodiversity and a healthy climate.

Please note this can be either an in-classroom program with live native wildlife or outdoor schoolyard investigation or combination of both.

In the classroom, meet live wildlife to support learning about specific adaptation connections, such as coping with seasonal changes, life cycles, and stages of development. Or, take an in-depth exploration into the physical and behavioral adaptations of a particular group of animals.

Explore the differences between wild and domestic animals by observing and comparing native wildlife and New england farm animals.

Please note this is an in-classroom program with live native wildlife and small farm animals.

Farms provide critical habitat for wild animals as well as for raising livestock and growing crops. Observe native wildlife and discover adaptations that allow them to thrive in our farm fields, forests, and barns.

Please note this is an in-classroom program with live native wildlife.

Listen to a favorite children's book and meet a wild character from the story! Learn about where the animal lives, what they eat, and their unique adaptations that help them to interact with their environment.

Winter is a challenging time for New England wildlife and requires both physical and behavioral adaptations for survival. Our changing climate adds to the challenges native species face, how will they adapt? Observe native wildlife and learn about survival strategies such as migration, hibernation, brumation, staying active, and dormancy.

Please note this can be either an in-classroom program with live native wildlife or outdoor schoolyard investigation or combination of both.