Environmental Experiences for Students

The Nature Center offers a full schedule of Field Investigation and Outreach / Lab activities for schools and other groups as well as a variety of natural history programs for the general public throughout the year. The Nature Center's Programs are composed of modular activities which can be selected for each group's age and developmental level. The student performance objectives of the Center's lesson plans have been cross-referenced to the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards. These two factors allow our activities to be easily adapted to the objectives of any language arts, mathematics, social studies, arts, and sciences curriculum. Contact Program Director Sue Slotterback for a full detailed brochure describing our school group programs at 609-898-8848.

Field Investigations (FI)

Using the natural world as a practical tool, these activities are conducted at a field site allowing for a first hand examination of natural history concepts. Employing such strategies as seining, role play, and small group interaction, students are given opportunities to apply skills including observation, interpretation, identification, and communication to learn natural history concepts of food web/energy transfer, habitat & ecosystem, adaptation & lifestyle, diversity, and human impact.

The Center's facility is located on the south side of Cape May Harbor. The Harbor and its adjacent wetland and upland ecosystems provide excellent study sites which have been incorporated into the Nature Center's array of programs. The Center's staff also conduct Field Investigation activities at diverse sites throughout Cape May County and vicinity.

Outreach/Labs (OL)

Taking Field Investigations a step further, these activities look at concepts not readily found in the field or ones that may be suitable to the school's own outdoor surroundings. Bringing natural history concepts to an off-site location provides students with opportunities of focused investigation.

Outreach / Labs work well as an introduction or wrap up to a field trip, can function as a supplement to classroom curriculum, or can be grouped together as an after school/latchkey program.

Topics

Each activity is 45 minutes to an hour long and is suitable for groups of up to 25 participants. The following Activity Topics have been assigned a simple code to reflect the type of activity and suggested range of grades:

(Note: we can tailor a special program to your needs.  If it's not on the list, we can create it for you!)

HABITATS AND ENERGY FLOW

This collection of Field Investigations and Outreach/Labs present basic ecological concepts using a variety of skills, content areas and ecosystems.

INLAND, COASTAL UPLANDS, & OUR OWN BACKYARD

Activities target terrestrial environments from the pine/oak forests of the center of the cape to the maritime forests along the sea's edge, to the wildlife garden habitats outside our windows.

• ECO-CONNECTIONS

Students assume the identity of a member of a team of wildlife managers and learn to recognize the variety of interdependencies within a habitat. Students learn factors that make up an ecosystem, how a plant or animal makes a living in the habitat; biodiversity, and much more.
[FI + OL /Gr 3-8]

• WATERSHEDS, WETLANDS, & THE WAYS OF WATER

The topographical, ecological, and physical aspects of aquatic and marine systems are highlighted in these activities

• WATERSHED STUDY

Students travel to several sites within a watershed to collect water chemistry, aquatic and terrestrial life observations, and physical characteristic observations data. In the lab, data is analyzed to determine factors that contribute to the presence or absence of certain species in the sites.
[FI / Gr 4-12]

• CAPE MAY HARBOR & BARRIER BEACHES

The focus is on the botany, biology, and geology of our sandy shores.

• AQUATIC FOOD CHAIN

Students use a seine net to collect and identify the producers and consumers of the food web in an aquatic habitat and relate how the aquatic organisms may be connected to those in other habitats.
[FI / Gr 3-12]

• SHORE LINE HABITATS

The shallow waters of the shoreline provide many habitats for a great diversity of marine life. This program provides a focused encounter with what it takes to live in a dynamic home on the shoreline.
[FI / Gr K -12]

• BUILD A DUNE

Students create a model shore town and learn the results of natural phenomena and living along the coast.
[FI / Gr 3-8]

ADAPTATION: FORM & FUNCTION

In this assortment of activities participants come to understand the concept of adaptation, how it relates to the organism's survival, and how we can use physical characteristics as a means to classify and identify the myriad of life around us.

• CREATURE FEATURES: ADAPTATIONS

Younger audiences will examine several different animals to learn how they use their body parts to see, protect, feed, and move. Older participants will look at several challenges to survival and explore how animals have adapted different strategies to overcome them.
[OL / Gr 1-12]

• MONARCH BUTTERFLIES

Each fall thousands of monarch butterflies pass through Cape May's peninsula on their annual migration south to Mexico. See first hand the different stages in the life cycle of this fascinating insect. August through October.
[FI /Gr 2 -12]

• BIRDS

By observing and comparing the adaptations of different birds students gather data for the classification of bird species. Once classification has been established further research can lead to understanding of habits, life cycles, and geographical distribution.
[OL / Gr 1-12]

• COASTAL BIRDS

Through indoor simulations students focus on the adaptations of coastal birds which allow them to flourish in wet, salty habitats. A Field Investigation provides a first hand observation of specific adaptations and behaviors. Arrange to have a Nature Center naturalist lead your class to view coastal birds in their natural habitat.
[FI+OL /Gr 3-12]

• BOTANY: PLANT ADAPTATIONS

Students use transects to measure, identify, and estimate the abundance of plant species while they investigate plant adaptations for living in certain areas.
[FI / Gr 4- 12]

• HORSESHOE CRAB LAB

People have differing opinions abut these odd-looking animals. Some are afraid, some see them as integral in the food web, some think they're a nuisance, and some believe they have important medical use. In this up-close and personal encounter, learn about the horseshoe crab's biology and find out just what these ancient blue-bloods have to offer. (live specimens subject to availability)
[FI+OL /Gr 3-6]

COMMUNITY CONNECTION PROGRAMS

The Nature Center teams up with other local organizations to deliver a diversity of expertise on our local natural history and resources.

SHOREBIRDS AND HORSESHOE CRABS* (May through June only)

The staff of Cape May Bird Observatory's Center for Research and Education conduct activities in shorebird identification and take your group to an excellent viewing area to observe the birds in action feeding on horseshoe crab eggs. At the Nature Center students will have an hands on study of the horseshoe crab, looking at its anatomy, life cycle, and nesting activity while learning of the historical and contemporary significance of this ancient arthropod.

BACK BAY NATURAL HISTORY VOYAGE* (April 15 to October 31 only)

A local touring and fishing boat takes passengers into the intercostals waterways to explore its rich natural history. Students will assist with and observe various collection devices to gather samples and learn about the life histories of the estuarine wildlife.

CAPE MAY'S FISHERIES*

The seaport of Cape May is second only to New Bedford, Mass. in seafood landings per year. Learn about the fisheries through simulations at the Nature Center, then tour the Lobster House to see the docks and seafood market in action.

*Contact the Nature Center's Program Director for fee information for Community Connection Programs.

Scheduling Information

Reservations are required for all programs. Call the Center at (609) 898-8848 to schedule. Space is filled on a first come, first served basis.

Activity and Program Fees:

Mileage: 31¢ per mile

Marine Research Cruise, $325.00, 1/3 deposit required

Once scheduled, a program confirmation packet will be sent with date and time, a map with directions to the Center, and a list of suggested items to bring. In the event of rainy or stormy weather, an indoor program with similar content and objectives can be substituted for outdoor programs, if desired.

If the programs described above do not meet the objectives of your school's science curriculum, call and talk to us about it. We can tailor a program to your specific needs.

NATURAL SCIENCE AWARD, HABITAT PASSPORT,
and JUNIOR NATURALIST AWARD

The New Jersey Audubon Society's NATURAL SCIENCE AWARD, HABITAT PASSPORT, and JUNIOR NATURALIST AWARD will be given to any school, class, or student who has studied at least ten of New Jersey's fifteen habitats. For more information contact the Program Director of any New Jersey Audubon Society nature center.