Field Trips for Grades 9-12

INDOOR PROGRAMS

Animals with Bad Reputations
Grades 9-12
The “public image” of some animals is often inaccurate and leads to attitudes detrimental to wildlife and the environment. Take a close look at the good qualities of some animals with unfair bad reputations.
Available: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, at SLNSC or your site

Coyotes
Grades 9-12
Through story, slides, and sound, students learn about wild members of the dog family: coyotes, foxes, and wolves. A visit with a live coyote highlights the role these fascinating and effective predators play in the natural world.
Available: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, at SLNSC only

Birds of Prey
Grades 9-12
Raptors are birds of prey that use talons to capture their food. By viewing live birds and mounted specimens, students examine the key role these avian predators play in the natural world.
Available: Fall, Winter, SPring, Summer, at SLNSC or your site

Mammals of New Hampshire
Grades 9-12
Students look at structural and behavioral traits that distinguish mammals from other classes of animals and consider the important role they play in New Hampshire’s natural world. Students examine three mammal species in-depth.
Available: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, at SLNSC or your site

Owls of New Hampshire
Grades 9-12
Students learn about native New Hampshire raptors, with a focus on owls. Using live birds, prepared mounts, and hands-on props, students discover key details about these winged predators.
Available: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, at SLNSC or your site

Predator/Prey Dynamics
Grades 9-12
Predators play a vital and sometimes misunderstood role in the natural world. Students observe several live predators and learn about the amazing adaptations that help them to survive. Students also examine the essential role predators play in the wild.
Available: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, at SLNSC or your site

Winter Bird Banding
Grades 9-12
Birds have been banded and monitored at the Science Center’s winter feeders for more than 30 years. Student teams contribute to this long-term study by making observations at a feeding station and participating in bird banding under the guidance of a Master Bird Bander. Discussion focuses on bird adaptations, migrations, and identification, using live birds and mounted specimens.
Available: Winter, at SLNSC only

OUTDOOR PROGRAMS

Field & Forest Ecology
Grades 9-12
Students investigate the differences between the natural communities of fields and forests. Through hands-on scientific studies, teams measure wind speed, temperature, soil pH, humidity, and more. Discussion compares and contrasts the measurements.
Available: Fall, Spring, Summer, at SLNSC only

Lake Ecology
Grades 9-12
Study Squam Lake on a floating classroom. Using hands-on measurements of pH, dissolved oxygen, water hardness, clarity, temperature, and more, student teams can assess the lake’s health. Students also collect lake sediment and a plankton sample to observe with a bioscope in the lab. All data are posted on the Science Center’s website for teachers to compare with results from past years.
Available: Fall, Spring, Summer, at SLNSC only

OspreyTrack
Grades 9-12
This program covers ongoing research at the Science Center to track ospreys through the use of satellite transmitters. Students gain an understanding of why these once threatened fish-eating raptors are important environmental indicators and how scientists are able to learn more about these amazing birds. The program includes an indoor overview of osprey biology, two outdoor activities, and an opportunity to meet a live osprey.
Available: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, at SLNSC or your site