School Programs

Programs for young children include a story, activities and a live animal. Choose a theme and we will do the rest. Have a favorite story? Just let us know!

Program Details
Pre-K – Grade 2
30 minutes, 20 students maximum
$80 for one program, $65 each additional program on the same day.

Topics
Hawks
Owls
Seasons
Insects
Snakes
Turtles
Amphibians
Dinosaurs
Plant & Gardens
Rocks

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One-hour classroom programs designed to support your science curriculum and align with the Next Generation Science Standards. Programs include hands on, inquiry-based activities that are grade level appropriate. A live animal presentation accompanies all programs.

Program Details
1 hour, 30 students maximum
$150 for one program, $115 for each additional program on the same day.
Grade level recommendation varies depending on theme.

Topics
Sensory Safari: Sights, sounds, smells and mystery objects to touch create the Sensory Safari experience. Students learn about their five senses while investigating the senses of our animal friends. A live animal will accompany this program.
Grades K – 2

How Animals Survive: As the weather changes, our animal friends have many ways to survive. Students will explore how local animals adapt to the changes in seasons through hands-on activities. Hibernation, migration, and gathering food will be covered.  A live animal will accompany this program.
Grades K – 2

Verts: Students learn how animals are sorted and grouped as they take an in-depth look at the five major vertebrate classes: mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. This program addresses classification, vertebrate structures and functions, biodiversity, growth and change. A live animal will accompany this program.
Level I: Grades K – 2
Level II: Grades 3 - 6

All About Birds: Like all living things, birds have certain characteristics and behaviors that help them survive. Students explore the life of our feathered friends through a series of hands-on interactive learning stations. The activities highlight classification, bird structures and functions, life cycles, migration and biodiversity. A live bird will accompany this program.
Level 1: Grades 1 – 2
Level 2: Grades 3 – 6

Owls of Rhode Island: Students learn about the owls that live in Rhode Island and their habitats, diet, senses, structures and functions. Older students will have the opportunity to test their skills as owl detectives, while younger students will discover owl senses through fun hands-on activities.  A live owl will accompany this program.
Level I: Grades 1 – 2
Level II: Grades 3 – 8

Birds of Prey: Students learn about the structures and functions, senses, habitats and ecological importance of birds of prey. Demonstrations, hands-on activities and biofacts will help illuminate the fascinating lives of these birds.  A live bird will accompany this program.
Grades 3 – 8

Bird Brains: Ravens and other members of the crow/blue jay family (Corvids) are known for their intelligence, and in this program, students will explore what it means to be intelligent. Students will participate in activities that require them to apply problem solving and communication skills and then have the chance to compare their methods with those of corvids. A live bird will accompany this program.
Grades 4-8

Everything’s Connected: Students will investigate the connections between all living things through food chains and food webs. The hands-on learning stations help students to discover how energy flows through an ecosystem with producers, consumers and nature’s original recyclers, the decomposers. A live animal will accompany this program.
Grades 2 - 5

Life Cycles: Students will have the opportunity to investigate the life cycles of various animals, from insects to ocean animals, through the use of biofacts and hands-on learning activities. This program covers simple and complex life cycles and metamorphosis. A live animal will accompany this program.
Grades 2 – 5

Schoolyard Explorations: In this special program, Audubon educators will come to your school and lead an hour-long outdoor discovery walk in your schoolyard. Students will discover the animals and plants that are found right in their own neighborhood. If your school’s schedule and budget are too tight to visit Audubon for a field trip, this program brings the field trip to you.

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Inflatable Whale
Ever wonder about the size of a whale? Students will witness this first-hand with our 65-foot, life-sized inflatable fin whale. They learn what makes whales mammals and about their special characteristics and behaviors for survival.
An electrical outlet and 75-feet of OPEN indoor space is required.
Level I: Grades K-1
Level II: Grades 2-8
1 hour 30 students maximum; $175 for one program, $125 each additional on the same day.

Raptor Encounters
This presentation for large audiences showcases live owls and hawks. Through demonstrations, photographs and biofacts, students learn how the structure and functions of these birds helps them survive.  Predator/prey dynamics and the importance of habitat are emphasized as well. Audubon will bring two or three live birds of prey to your school, library, or event for an exciting and educational experience.
An auditorium, cafeteria or gymnasium is required for this presentation. A classroom space is not appropriate.
Level 1: Grades K - 3, 40 minutes, 2 birds, 300 people max, $200
Level 2: Grades 4 and up, 1 hour, 3 birds, 300 people max, $300

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Program Details
1 hour, 60 students maximum*
$8/student, minimum fee $120.
*30 students maximum at our Exeter location.

Topics
Discovery Walk: This guided nature hike combines sensory activities and exploration for your students. Let us know upon registration if you would like to focus your program on a particular theme.
Grades Pre K - 2
Bristol, Seekonk, Smithfield, Exeter locations

Nature Tales and Trails: This one-hour program includes a guided discovery walk and a story.  Choose a theme and we will do the rest! Have a favorite story?  Just let us know!  (An indoor nature center exploration is an option at the Bristol location.)
Themes: Seasons, Habitats, Birds, Insects, Snakes, Turtles, Dinosaurs, Sea Life, Plants & Gardens, Rocks
Bristol, Seekonk, Smithfield, Exeter locations

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Program Details
1 hour, 60 students maximum
$10/student, minimum fee $120.

Topics
Nature Detectives: On this easy-paced hike, students use their senses to explore the natural world.  Like detectives, they use their powers of observation and deduction to figure out who lives in each habitat they encounter. 
Grades 2 – 5
Bristol, Seekonk, Smithfield, Exeter locations

Field Ecology: This popular indoor/outdoor program introduces students to the different habitats found in Rhode Island as well as the types of plants and animals found in them. Students participate in activities that explore food chains and food webs, ecosystems and biodiversity.
Grades 2-8
Bristol Location

Field and Forest Ecology: Explore and compare field, forest and the edges where they meet. Discover the plants and animals that live in each ecosystem. This program also addresses biodiversity and human impact. 
Grades 5-12
Smithfield, Seekonk, Exeter locations

Nature and Native Americans: In this unique program, students explore how Native American nations traditionally utilized nature in their everyday lives. Students discover what pre-colonial life was like and how nature provides the basic needs for life.
Grades 2 - 5
Bristol location

Coastal Explorations: Students explore the rocky shoreline of Narragansett Bay. The experience heightens students’ awareness of marine life and habitats as they conduct a scientific exploration of the shore. Older students will be recording their observations and data.
Coastal Explorations I: Grades 1 – 5
Coastal Explorations II: Grades 6 - 12
Bristol Location

Pond and Stream Ecology: Students will investigate and compare pond and stream habitats. They will collect data on the living and non-living aspects of each wetland. Older students will test the water chemistry as well.  
Level 1: Grades 2 – 5
Level 2: Grades 6-12
Seekonk and Exeter Locations

Field Geology: Students discover the geological forces that shaped the landscape during this adventure. They start by reviewing the rock cycle and rock classification, then hit the trails to find examples of mineral veins, evidence of glaciers, and demonstrations of the effect of wind and water on rocks. In addition, students will conduct field tests on soil, make predictions about which soils are best suited for different purposes.
Grade: 3-8
Smithfield and Seekonk Locations

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Program Details
3 hours, 50 student maximum
$11/student, minimum fee $165

Topics
Wilderness Skills: Students learn skills required to survive outdoors including plant and animal identification, team building, map and compass, and survival skills. This program can help bring to life stories such as My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, or Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. 
Grades 4-8
Smithfield, Seekonk, Exeter Locations

Wigwam Ways: Students learn how the pre-colonial Native American nations utilized nature to survive. There will be hands-on activities, nature explorations, group challenges and games to enhance the experience. 
Grades 2 - 6
Seekonk Location

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