Nature-based Science & PD Opportunities

This page provides information and resources, live or archived, that support Science education in the classroom or at home.  Please reach out to Schoodic Institute or the Maine Environmental Education Association to have your resources included on this page.

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Workshop Highlight

As the Coronavirus impacts our lifestyles, schools are pivoting to prioritize children’s health and well-being above academic considerations. Access to the outdoors during the school day, through co-curricular activities, at home and within a community is part of a systemic approach to Social and Emotional Learning and addresses critical issues of public health.

 

 

 

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Weekly Mini-Adventures

Week to week activities and projects that get students outside.

Explore the Adventures!

Daily Science Activities

Short science activities that get students exploring science and the outdoors.

Explore the Activities

Connect Directly with Maine Organizations

Blue Hill Heritage Trust

Mission:

“To lead in conserving land, water, and wildlife habitat on the greater Blue Hill Peninsula. To teach and practice a stewardship ethic. To promote ecological, economic, and community health for this and future generations.”

Chewonki

Mission:

Chewonki inspires transformative growth, teaches appreciation and stewardship of the natural world, and challenges people to build thriving, sustainable communities throughout their lives.

Downeast Salmon Federation

Mission:

Downeast Salmon Federation’s mission is to conserve wild Atlantic salmon, other sea-run fish and their habitats, restore a viable recreational salmon fishery, and protect other important river, scenic, recreational, and ecological resources in eastern Maine.

FoodCorps Maine

Mission:

Together with communities, FoodCorps serves to connect kids to healthy food in school.

Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Mission:

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute pioneers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. Located in Portland, ME, GMRI is dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. 

Harpswell Heritage Land Trust

Mission:

The Harpswell Heritage Land Trust is dedicated to protecting the natural and cultural resources of Harpswell, Maine. Our mission is to preserve and protect Harpswell’s natural resources, cultural heritage and access to the outdoors through targeted conservation, responsible stewardship and education

Island Heritage Trust

Mission:

IHT contributes to the well-being of the island community by conserving its distinctive landscapes and natural resources, maintaining public access to valued trails, shoreline and islands, and by providing educational programming for all ages.

Maine Audubon

Mission:

Maine Audubon works to conserve Maine’s wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people of all ages in education, conservation, and action.

Maine Department of Education

  • Page Nichols, Chief Innovation Officer
Mission:

To provide leadership and to collaborate with educators and learning communities in order to ensurer that every learner has the opportunity to be successful.

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Mission:

We are biologists, game wardens, and educators all in on a common mission: responsible, safe enjoyment of the Maine outdoors. We believe a healthy ecosystem makes life better for all the fish, wildlife, and people who call Maine home, as well as for the visitors who call it Vacationland.

Maine Environmental Education Association

  • Olivia Griset, Executive Director, olivia@meeassociation.org
Mission:

The Maine Environmental Education Association enhances and amplifies the efforts of individuals and organizations building environmental awareness, appreciation, understanding, and action in Maine.

Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park

  • Sarah Hooper, Education Specialist
  • Bill Zoellick, Educator Emeritus
Mission:

Schoodic Institute engages people in responding to environmental change through research and learning. We offer programs and know-how to connect schools, communities, and nature through science.

The Ecology School

Mission:

The Ecology School inspires stewardship of and connection to the natural world through nature-based, living lessons about ecology, conservation, farming, and sustainability.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

 

The Ecology School: Nature Nuggets is a short-video series produced by The Ecology School's Program Team. They guide kids (and adults!) on an ecological adventure in their own homes, sparking curiosity about nature in our own lives and getting us all outside more! The activities are easy to follow, portable, and are now available for anyone who wants an inspiring "nugget" of nature.

 

Harpswell Heritage Land Trust: Daily activities.  Find simple, fun and enriching activities to engage children with the outdoors. A new idea every weekday! Solve the daily nature riddle and read interesting articles about local wildlife and other topics.

 

The Nature Conservancy Nature Lab: Nature Lab gives teachers, students, and families everything they need to start exploring and understanding nature around the globe alongside The Nature Conservancy scientists.  The interactive lesson plans align to standards and can be customized for each classroom-this includes many short high-quality videos!

 

Project Learning Tree:  Family Activities suitable for children ages 3 – 15, some activities work better for younger children, others are more suited for older children. The way you present them will change depending on your child’s knowledge and ability.

 

Appalachian Mountain Club:  COVID-19 TEACHER RESOURCES.   Various outdoor lessons and activities for grades k-12.  Please contact Genevieve Trafelet, Maine Education & Program Manager, for more information, or to be placed on her mailing list for additional activities!

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 Maine Ag in the Classroom: Find lessons, activities, worksheets, videos, and e-books related to agriculture. There are resources that tie into all different subjects - math, science, language arts, social studies, health, you name it! Search our online database by category, keyword, or grade level. On our Facebook page, you will find new resources being shared daily.  We have 6 books written on Maine Agriculture topics that are available to read electronically and have lessons and activities to go along with them. We are sharing agriculture-related activities in our monthly e-newsletter (sign up on our website) and daily on our Facebook page. Our books can be found here: teachmefoodandfarms.org

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Kennebunk Land Trust:   Our Trust in Education program is offering weekly nature activities for kids grades K-5 to do from home in our Quarantine Corner! We launch each week with a Nature Notes video from a staff member, volunteer, or community partner and have two activities for kids throughout the week related to our Nature Notes theme. Kids can keep up with activities in their nature journals and share photos every Friday to be entered into our FUN FRIDAY spotlight and drawing!

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Acadia Institute for Oceanography: Offers a virtual lecture series about Ocean topics.