Search for School Programs at Ipswich River

Students will examine animal artifacts to discover how animals are adapted to the places and climates in which they live. Learn about teeth adaptations, food preferences, habitat, winter survival, camouflage, and much more. Supports updated STEM.

Students will examine animal artifacts like fur and skull to discover how animals are adapted to where and how they live. They will play games to see firsthand the connection between an organism's physical features and survival. Older students will also discuss how natural selection shapes these traits. Supports updated STEM.

Students will examine animal artifacts to discover how animals are adapted to the places and climates in which they live. Learn about teeth adaptations, food preferences, habitat, winter survival, camouflage, and much more. Supports updated STEM.

Introduction to birds, including bird song, nest building, bird anatomy, and migration.

Explore plant life and search for evidence of animal life inhabiting our sanctuary by investigating three different ecosystems and comparing what makes these plants and animals unique.

Students will explore the living and nonliving factors that make up our local ecosystems. We will sample and observe organisms and gather data to model the flow of energy and the cycling of matter.

Take and in-depth look at the producers, consumers, and decomposers found in a wetland. Identify local wetland plants, collect water samples, and catch aquatic creatures in order to discover how matter is recycled and energy flows through these important and fascinating ecosystems. We'll also discuss human impacts on our water over time and how we can all help protect our wetlands.

Identify patterns and interrelationships among producers, consumers, scavengers and decomposers. Students will draw conclusions about the important role these organisms play in the flow of energy.

As students explore the wetlands, vernal pools, and fields of the sanctuary, they will learn about life cycles and characteristics of local amphibians through games and hands-on discoveries.

Investigate decomposing logs and the sanctuary fields in search of critters that live in our backyard.

Our sanctuary is a dynamic landscape with glacier-made observable landforms. We will study these formations and collect data on the effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition in our local ecosystems.

Our sanctuary is a dynamic landscape with glacier-made observable landforms. We will study these formations and collect data on the effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition in our local ecosystems.

The School Maple Sugaring program is designed to allow students a firsthand experience in the delicious tradition of maple sugaring. We begin with a lively indoor introduction to the basic concepts of maple sugaring, including which trees are used and why, how sap flows, and the maple syrup-making process itself. Next, our Field Teachers lead outdoor walks to observe trees and wildlife in late winter, and to see and taste sap as it's being collected. We end the tour with a visit to our sugarhouse to see just how sap changes to maple syrup, and of course, for a sweet sample of our fresh syrup!

The School Maple Sugaring program is designed to allow students a firsthand experience in the delicious tradition of maple sugaring. We begin with a lively indoor introduction to the basic concepts of maple sugaring, including which trees are used and why, how sap flows, and the maple syrup-making process itself. Next, our Field Teachers lead outdoor walks to observe trees and wildlife in late winter, and to see and taste sap as it's being collected. We end the tour with a visit to our sugarhouse to see just how sap changes to maple syrup, and of course, for a sweet sample of our fresh syrup!

The School Maple Sugaring program is designed to allow students a firsthand experience in the delicious tradition of maple sugaring. We begin with a lively indoor introduction to the basic concepts of maple sugaring, including which trees are used and why, how sap flows, and the maple syrup-making process itself. Next, our Field Teachers lead outdoor walks to observe trees and wildlife in late winter, and to see and taste sap as it's being collected. We end the tour with a visit to our sugarhouse to see just how sap changes to maple syrup, and of course, for a sweet sample of our fresh syrup!

Reconnect your students to the natural world while bringing out their creative sides through interdisciplinary approaches to nature journaling. Class may take place in the classroom, in the schoolyard, or at the sanctuary. Year-round.

Reconnect your students to the natural world while bringing out their creative sides through interdisciplinary approaches to nature journaling. Class may take place in the classroom, in the schoolyard, or at the sanctuary. Year-round.

Reconnect your students to the natural world while bringing out their creative sides through interdisciplinary approaches to nature journaling. Class may take place in the classroom, in the schoolyard, or at the sanctuary. Year-round.

Learn about fascinating animals that are awake during the night! Discover unique adaptations that allow them to survive in darkness and take a close look at animal specimens. Participate in a variety of activities which will heighten the senses and simulate how nocturnal animals see, hear, and smell.

Please note that there are no live animals displayed in this program.

Students will learn about these magnificent silent hunters, their unique adaptations, and their importance in the food chain. In this program, students will examine study mounts of three local owls, then in groups dissect an owl pellet to discover what they eat. $35 materials fee per class.

Please note that there are no live owls displayed during this program.

Students visit different ecosystems to carefully investigate the plants they find. Through hands-on activities, students will observe the parts of a plant, learn what plants need to survive, and how they compete with each other.

Discover life under the water's surface. Using simple sampling tools we will examine macroinvertebrates and discuss their adaptations and interactions in their wetland habitat.

Join a naturalist and canoe the gentle waters of the Ipswich River, exploring the animals and plants of the floodplain forests and marshes. Students will investigate natural and human influences on the river, and learn how to protect their community water resources.

Join a naturalist and canoe the gentle waters of the Ipswich River, exploring the animals and plants of the floodplain forests and marshes. Students will investigate natural and human influences on the river, and learn how to protect their community water resources.

Enjoy a guided walk through the woods and fields on your school property or natural space near you. Explore nature's seasonal changes using the senses of sight, sound, touch, hearing, and smell. Each class observes plant and animal life throughout the changing seasons.

Explore nature's seasonal changes and adaptations. Students will use a variety of senses and tools to discover the secrets of the season.

Students will investigate three different ecosystems found on our sanctuary. We will observe field, forest, and pond organisms and gather data on the physical structures that allow them to survive and thrive.

Students will explore the rocky shore and tide pools at a beach in Marblehead or an appropriate beach near their school. Programs are scheduled according to the tide chart. Fall or spring.

Students will explore the rocky shore and tide pools at a beach in Marblehead or an appropriate beach near their school. Programs are scheduled according to the tide chart. Fall or spring.

Students will learn how a tree functions and changes with the seasons by studying conifers and broad-leaf trees and identifying some trees by leaf shape. We will observe the life cycle of trees from maturity to decay while we discover which animals rely on trees for their survival.

Students will explore our freshwater habitats to observe and sample the varied organisms within. We will describe different life cycles of these organisms and gather data on their adaptations.

How do animals adapt to our long cold winters? Through indoor and outdoor activities, students will examine the survival strategies of animals in winter and learn basic track identifaction skills. Students will examine prints and track patters, learn to move like mammals, and pracice their tracking skills along the sanctuary trails.

Students will learn how body shape, leg length, and foot type determine an animal's track pattern. By learning and following tracks, looking for other evidence of activity, and practicing their silent stalking, students will make connections to unseen animals.

Students will learn how body shape, leg length, and foot type determine an animal's track pattern. By learning and following tracks, looking for other evidence of activity, and practicing their silent stalking, students will make connections to unseen animals.

Students will learn how body shape, leg length, and foot type determine an animal's track pattern. By learning and following tracks, looking for other evidence of activity, and practicing their silent stalking, students will make connections to unseen animals.