The Nature Center offers a wide variety of educational programs including field trips to the Center as well as assembly or in-class programs at your school, including a Naturalist In-Residence program and Teacher Workshops.

Our programs are aligned with the
Connecticut Core Science Curriculum Framework

Programs can be tailored to fit your curriculum,
including urban-suburban partnership programs.

For all school programs, call the Nature Center at 860.693.0263
between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Tuesday through Friday.
Because dates fill up quickly, reservations should be made
as early as possible in the school year. 

Reservations may not be made by email

For more information on scheduling programs at
Roaring Brook Nature Center , click here

For additional programs offered by
The Children's Museum in West Hartford, click here

Programs held at Roaring Brook Nature Center
explore the wide variety of habitats in the refuge.
Participants must come dressed to go outdoors

"This year's visit was wonderful. The students all had fun learning about all the plants & animals.
Our guides were fantastic! The students were totally interested and involved."
- Kindergarten Teacher, Lake Garda School, Burlington, CT

The Seasons    PK - K
How do plants and animals deal with the changing seasons?

• Preparing for Winter - How do plants and animals prepare for Conecticut's harshest season?
• Signs of Winter Life - Who braves Connecticut's winters? Learn to read the clues left by our winter residents and see how animals and plants survive the long winter season.
• Spring is Here! - Nature makes gradual but continuous changes from spring buds to ladybugs. Hands-on exploration brings these changes alive.
  (Science Standards PK.3, K.3)

Discover Nature Through Your Senses   Grades K-1

Increase your powers of observation by discovering the sights, sounds, smells, and textures found in the natural world. Learn how animal senses differ from ours and why.
(Science Standards K.1, 1.2)

It’s Alive!    Grades K – 1
Observe differences between living creatures and the non-living components of their environment that they need in order to survive.
(Science Standards K.2, 1.2)

All in the Family     Grades PK - K
We all belong to a family. So do snakes, frogs, foxes, robins and roses. How are their families similar and how do they differ?
(Science Standards PK.2, K.2, K.3)

Insects and Their Relatives   Grades K – 6
(Before October 15, after May 1)
Explore different insect habitats and see what special adaptations insects have developed to help them survive. Observe insects close up in their environments.
(Science Standards PK.3, K.3, 1.2, 1.3, 3.2, 4.2)

Eastern Woodland Indians
Grade K-2: 1 hour program; Grade 3-6: 2 hour program

Discover how Native Americans relied on their natural environment for all their survival needs including shelter, clothing and food. Click here to view our longhouse replica.
(Science Standards K.4, 1.2, 2.4, Social Studies Standard 4)

From Seed to Seed     Grades K – 2   (Fall and Spring only)
Explore how flowering plants change throughout their life cycles in order to survive. (Science Standards K.2, 1.2, 2.2)

Plant and Animal Adaptations   Grades 1-6

Discover how all living things are adapted to meet their survival needs in their own unique ways.
(Science Standards 1.2, 2.2, 3.2.a, 4.2, 6.2)

It's Not Just Dirt!   Grades 2-6
What is soil? What color is it? How does it sound? feel? smell? Does soil change from place to place? Why is it important to us?
(Science Standards 2.3, 3.4.a)

Who's For Dinner?   Grades 3-6
Explore the basic concepts of food chains and webs to understand how energy cycles through Connecticut's ecosystem.
(Science Standards 3.2.a, 4.2, 6.2)

Changing Land, Changing Wildlife    Grades 3 – 6

As Connecticut’s ecosystems have changed over time, so has the wildlife. Observe, first-hand, how natural phenomena and human activities have impacted animal populations. Tour our Changing Land, Changing Wildlife Exhibits
(Science Standards 3.2, 4.2, 6.2)

Connecticut Rocks!    Grades 3 -8
What are the geologic forces that have shaped and reshaped our Connecticut landscape? Program includes a discussion/handling of rocks and minerals, and an outdoor examination of basic rock types and the forces that affect them.
(Science Standards 3.3, 4.3, 7.3)

Flowers, Thorns & Poisons: The Secret World of Plants - Grades 3-8
Plants are not as defenseless as they seem. Learn the clever strategies that plants use to win, or sometimes lose, the battle for survival.
(Science Standards 3.2)

Bedrock to Stone Walls- Grades 4-8
(2 hours program - spring and fall only)

Geology, ecology, and human history have combined to create the landscape as it is now. This program combines aspects of “Connecticut Rocks” and "Changing Land, Changing Wildlife."
(Science Standards 4.2, 6.2, 7.3)

NEW!  Hunting with your Senses      Grade 4 – 8
Do animals perceive the world the same way we do? Learn how our human senses compare to those of other animals.
(Science Standards 5.2)

Winter Survival Skills    Grades 4 – 8
(2 hour program – December through March)    Dress for the weather!

Examine basic survival skills including reading a map and compass, fire building, shelter construction, appropriate clothing, and food. Dress for the weather!
(Science Standards 5.2, 5.4)

ALL DAY ECOLOGY PROGRAM - Grades 4–8
Limited to groups of 50 students
Cost: $10 per student with a $160 minimum
This program includes study of adaptations, food webs, and general principles of ecology such as the carrying capacity of land, through field study, observation of live animals and co-operative games. We can plan a program to complement your curriculum.

Nature Center staff members can provide in-school programs which are adapted for specific grade levels and may be tailored to fit your curriculum and teaching needs. Most programs include the presentation of at least one live animal. Programs should be booked as far in advance as possible. Discounts available for multiple bookings of the same program on the same day.

"Many thanks for once again sharing your time and treasures with our Grade 4 students. They always look forward to your presentations, and we so appreciate having your and Roaring Brook Nature Center in our own back yards - a treasure for us all!"      - Principal, Canton Intermediate School, Canton, CT

Any topic can also be done as a classroom program .

Length: 1 hour for 30 or more students

Fee: $250 plus mileage

Animal Life Cycles - Grades K - 3
Animals develop in different ways. Learn about different types of life cycles and what environmental factors affect them.
(Science Standards 1.3)

Adaptations  Grades K - 7
Learn how plants and animals meet their specific survival needs in unique ways. (Science Standards 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, 6.2)

Reptiles & Amphibians  Grades 1 - 8
Reptiles and amphibians have unique adaptations. Which one live in Connecticut? What are the environmental threats they face here?
(Science Standards 1.2, 3.2, 4.2, 6.2)

Snakes Alive!   Grades 1-8

Separate fact from fiction and learn to appreciate these fascinating creatures. This presentation includes live specimens.
(Science Standards 1.2, 3.2, 4.2, 6.2)

Endangered Species   Grades 3 – 8
What is an endangered species? Which ones live in Connecticut? What environmental threats do they face?
(Science Standards 3.2, 4.2, 6.2)

CT Wildlife Digest   Grades 4 – 8
Learn about the diversity of animals in our small state and how human activity impacts that diversity.
(Science Standards 4.2, 6.2)

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Length: 1 hour for up to 30 students/program
Fee:  within 25 miles $150 plus mileage
        (beyond 25 miles $175 plus mileage)

Living vs. Nonliving     Grades PK - K
What distiguishes living from nonliving things and how are they classified? 
(Science Standards PK.2, K.2, K.3)

All in the Family     Grades PK - K
We all belong to a family. So do snakes, frogs, foxes, robins and roses. How are their families similar and how do they differ?
(Science Standards PK.2, K.2, K.3)

Using Our Senses     Grade K
What do our senses tell us about our world?
(Science Standards K.1)

Age of the Reptiles     Grades K - 3
Who were the dinosaurs and why did they disappear....or did they? How do they differ from odern day reptiles?
(Science Standards K.3, 3.2)

Insects and Their Relatives - Grades K-3
Insects are everywhere. Why are they so important to our world?
(Science Standards K.3, 3.2, 4.2)

The Seasons (3 programs) Grades K-3
How do plants and animals deal with the changing seasons?
      Winter's Coming
      Signs of Winter Life
      Spring is Here!
(Science Standards PK.3, K.3)

Seed to Seed - Grades 1-2
Take a close look at plants. How do they survive and reproduce?
(Science Standards 1.2, 2.2)

Fruits & Flowers    Grade 1 - 2
Explore the life cycle of flowering plants. 
(Science Standards 2.2)

Snow & Ice Studies   Grade 1 - 2
Learn about the proerties of snow and ice. What makes snow snow?
(Science Standards 2.1)

Frogs     Grades 1 – 3
From egg to tadpole to frog. What do these amphibians tell us about the health of our environment?
(Science Standards 1.2, 1.3, 3.2)

Survival: Plants and Animals    Grades 1 – 3
How do plants and animals survive in various habitats?
(Science Standards 1.2, 3.2 )

Butterflies    Grades 2 – 3
Find out about the life cycle of butterflies from egg to caterpillar to butterfly!
(Science Standards 1.2, 1.3, 3.2)

Eastern Woodland Indians    Grades 2 - 6
How did early Native Americans meet their survival needs?
(Science Standards 2.4, Social Studies Standard 4)

It’s Not Just Dirt!    Grades 2 – 6 
Part animal, vegetable and mineral. Learn about the soil food web and why it is important to us.  
(Science Standards 2.3,3.4.a)

Connecticut Rocks and Minerals      Grades 3 - 4
What is Connecticut's geological history? What minerals can be found here?
(Science Standards 3.3, 4.3)

The Water Cycle     Grade 4
Do we drink the same water the dinosaurs did?  
(Science Standard 4.3)

Animal Senses    Grade 5
How do animals perceive their environment?  
(Science Standards 5.2)

Changing Land, Changing Wildlife     Grades 3 - 6
How do natural phenomena and humans impact animal populations?   
(Science Standards 3.2, 4.2, 6.2)

The Secret World of Plants     Grades 3 - 6
Plants are not as defenseless as they seem.
(Science Standards 3.2)

Food Chains & Webs    Grades 3 - 6
Explore the interrelationships of all living things. 
(Science Standards 4.2, 6.2)

Adaptations    Grades 3 - 7
How do living things adapt to meet their survival needs.  
(Science Standards 3.2, 4.2, 6.2)

Using Microscopes    Grades 4 - 7
Open a brand new world of things too small to be seen with the naked eye. 
(Science Standards 5.4)

Keeping Water Clean     Grades 4 – 8
Learn how we all have a role in keeping water clean. Enviroscape (TM) and groundwater models are used to demonstrate concepts..
(Science Standards 6.4)

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A Nature Center naturalist will visit your school for an entire day providing programs that may include slide presentations, mounted and live animals, and hand-on activities. You can choose the program topics listed for assembly and classroom presentations. A combination of several programs types, with a maximum of four , may be held during the course of a day. We can also assist teachers with curriculum development, enrichment programming, and in planning/taking a field trip to a natural area close to your school. Reserve early to ensure availability.

Cost : $500 plus mileage.

A Nature Center naturalist will visit your school to work with your staff to help develop/design grade-level appropriate science activities or to show teachers how to utilize school grounds to complement your science curriculum. Contact the Center at 860.693.0263 for additional information.

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