School Programs & Field Trips
School programs and field trips for students of all ages, research / community service opportunities, and teacher training.
Give your students the opportunity to explore North Shore marine life and help foster their curiosity, understanding and appreciation of the marine environment. These hands-on programs, with a focus on inquiry and discovery, were created by a New York State certified teacher to reinforce New York State Standards and the concepts needed for the State Assessment tests. Teachers can use these programs as a unique addition to a science unit, to make connections across different subject areas, or as a culminating experience to reinforce prior knowledge and curriculum. Our low student/teacher ratio enables us to emphasize experiential learning. Please contact us with any questions; and remember – most programs can be adapted to meet your specific needs.
Many programs can be brought to your location whether school or local estuary for your convenience.
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PRE-K THROUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAMS
* Subject matter covered is tailored to meet the needs of your specific grade level or group needs. Listen to a playful story and explore the exciting sights, sounds, smells, and textures of the beach. Learn how to stay healthy and safe at the beach while learning about some of the organisms that call it their home. Children go on a scavenger hunt to collect shells to create a fun craft to represent their time spend with us.
Discover the world of aquatic birds that make estuaries on Long Island their homes. Listen to a story that explores bird characteristics and migration patterns. Find out why our resident mute swans are actually considered an invasive species. With binoculars, we take a beach walk to view any feathery friends that may make special guest appearances.
Discover the reason why sea stars are not fish and learn about their unique and amazing abilities! Children enjoy listening to a story then get to meet and touch some of our own local "stars". To support the text, children get to make and take home their own sea star craft that shows one of the adaptations they learned about during their visit.
While listening to an enjoyable story about shells, children interact with the text using their senses to compare and contrast shells based on various properties such as size, shape, color and texture. This helps children begin the identification process before "shelling" in large tubs filled with sand and a variety of shells. A connection is then made from the non-living shells to living animals through a touch tank filled with some of our local marine animals.
Learn about the water cycle, water conservation and weather. Observe the process of condensation first hand through experimentation and exploration. Learn the differences between salt water and fresh water, and the adverse effects pollution has on our aquatic environment. To reinforce the lesson, a beach clean-up is conducted to model the integrity and responsibility needed to preserve a marine environment.
One of the oldest, gentlest living species of animals found on earth today, horseshoe crabs surprisingly aren’t really true crabs at all. Find out what kind of species they are more realistically compared to and why. Horseshoe crabs are not only designed to stand the test of time, but are actually being used in medicine to help keep us healthier. You can thank one in person when you get to handle and learn about our remarkable living fossils.
Three significant habitats exist at our site: fresh water, salt water, and marsh. Learn the important role each one plays individually and collectively in our marine ecology through exploration and discovery. Discover what plants and animals make these habitats their homes by means of netting to collect specimens for examination. We’ll even try to catch a glimpse of the illusive American Eel that resides in our fresh and brackish waters. Includes: • Seine and dip nets • Touch tank of local marine animals
Students are introduced to a variety of marine organisms typically found at the bottom of the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Did you know that a sea cucumber will throw- up its insides as a defense mechanism to ward off predators or that a whelk snail could repair its own shell if it gets damaged? There are so many interesting facts to learn about these special animals! May include: • Bivalves • Whelk snails • Sea stars • Hermit crab • Horseshoe crab • Spider crab • Sea cucumber • Red-bearded sponge
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SECONDARY THROUGH ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS
* Subject matter covered is tailored to meet the needs of your specific grade level or group needs. Perform an in-depth study of an estuarine ecosystem. Explore the area where freshwater flowing from the land meets salt water from the sea. Working in cooperative learning groups, students rotate through different stations and locations while examining, recording and comparing the water quality, geology and biodiversity of each site using techniques and equipment used for research and environmental assessment. Can include: • Seining • Quadrat counts • Beach profile to examine deposition/erosion • Tidal flow examination • Water quality testing • Stream flow rate measurements • Sediment studies • Tidal rates observed
Learn about the tiny organisms that represent the base of our marine food chain. This is a comprehensive program that not only explores the importance of plankton, but also includes the hands-on collecting and classifying. Students utilize scientific equipment to collect and observe specimens, and discuss the symbiotic relationship between plankton and water quality. Includes: • Plankton tow • Water quality testing • Microscope observation and classification
 This program can be customized and takes place aboard our floating classroom, Christeen. Be part of an unforgettable marine learning experience while hoisting sails and gathering information about local maritime. Whether your group wants to explore a touch tank or conduct higher-level water quality research, we can meet your specific group needs. Can be requested: • Touch Tank • Navigation • Plankton tow • Water quality testing
 This is any combination of a Beach Program, Kayaking, and/or Christeen Sail. Each activity's length and subject matter can be customized to fit your group's goals. Groups and classes can be coordinated for a full or half day whether part of the group spends its time kayaking and the other part of the group explores the beach and marshes
* Recommended for large groups of any grade level *The pricing and program availability depend on the programs selected and the age of your group.  |
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