Resources for Teachers

Please use these resources before and after programs to benefit your students.

Tips for Your Trip

Learn how to make the most of your trip to the Science Center.

Program Length: In addition to driving time, allow time for registration and a restroom visit.
Indoor - One-hour sessions featuring live, native New Hampshire wildlife.
Outdoor - Most are 1.5 hour sessions depending on the program, including a short introduction inside, followed by outdoor activities, and ending with an indoor summary. See individual descriptions to verify program length. Dress appropriately for the season, activity, and weather.
Directions to the Science Center

Arrival and Registration: Please plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of your first class. Upon arrival, students should stay on the bus while one teacher registers the group at the Welcome Center office. Payment may be made by check or cash. The teacher registering should know the total number of children and the total number of adults attending. One adult will be admitted free for every five students. All others will be charged the student rate regardless of age or membership status. Paraeducators are admitted free.

Trails: Open from May 1 through November 1.

Lunch: Your group may bring a picnic lunch. Picnic tables are available outside and under a covered pavilion. In wet weather, indoor space is available. Soda and water are available from vending machines, but we do not sell food.

Trash: The Science Center is a carry-in, carry-out facility. Please bring your own trash bags.

Gift Shop: The Howling Coyote Gift Shop is located in the Welcome Center. Items for sale include nature-related books, t-shirts, cards, and toys with many items for students $5 or less. Open May 1 through November 1. The Howling Coyote Gift Shop has limited availability in winter; arrangements must be made prior to your visit. All revenues support our educational programs.

Cancellation Policy
There is a charge of 25% of the estimated program cost for cancellations made within one month of your scheduled program and a charge of 50% within two weeks of your reservation. Cancellations due to school closings will be accepted. Cancellations are not accepted due to weather, except thunder and lightning or severe snow or ice. A rescheduling fee of $25 applies to all other date changes within one month of your arrival date. "No Shows" will be charged full price.

Rain or Shine: Plan ahead and be prepared. Dress appropriately for the season, activity, and weather. (Remember sturdy shoes and insect repellent).

Bus Drivers Can Make A Difference: Reduce School Bus Idling. Turning your bus off…

Helps protect the health of drivers and students from the harmful effects of diesel exhaust fumes.
Reduces air pollutants that contribute to smog, airborne particle formation, and global warming.
Reduces fuel consumption and saves money.A typical diesel vehicle burns approximately one gallon of fuel for each hour it idles. If each bus reduces its idling time by 30 minutes per day, a company operating 16 buses could save over $2,500 per school year in reduced fuel costs.
Reduces wear and tear on the engine – saving on maintenance costs and increasing the life of the engine!

For more information consult the New Hampshire School Transportation Association and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Trail Q&A

See what your students learned on the trail.

Did you enjoy your visit to the Science Center? See what your students learned with a trail quiz.

Trail Questions for Grades 1-3
Trail Answers for Grades 1-3

Trail Questions for Grades 4-6
Trail Answers for Grade 4-6

Trail Questions for Grades 6-8
Trail Answers for Grades 6-8

Lake Ecology Data

View Squam Lake data going back to 1993 and see how the lake has changed.

Rotifers, copepods, and phantom midges share our lakes! Since 1993, students have studied the Squam Lakes up-close, collecting plankton samples and measuring pH, dissolved oxygen, water hardness, clarity, and temperature.

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1993-1997

NatureWorks

View our award-winning environmental education instructional television series for elementary school children.

NatureWorks was developed and produced by New Hampshire Public Television and Squam Lakes Natural Science Center.

View episodes online.

Discover the natural world and the connections that make nature work in this 16-part series for students in grades 3-6. Student host Patrice Forrester and Senior Naturalist Dave Erler of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, explore the ways living things interact with the world around them. NatureWorks is designed to align with state and national science frameworks and standards and is a great way to introduce young people to the natural sciences.

Awards for NatureWorks:

NatureWorks Awards 2002 Notable Children's Video "Using an entertaining and informative style, sixteen 15-minute programs explore concepts for understanding ecology and environmental issues. Snappy photography, exciting natural footage, animation, and a lively soundtrack make this an engaging experience for children."
Winner of the 2001 International Film and Video Festival Silver Screen Award
Winner of the 2001 Parents' Choice Home Video Group Recommended Winner
Winner of the 2001 Gold International CINDY Award

Bus Bingo Trail Scavenger Hunt

Barbee & Hayden, 09/03/18
Great enclosures for the animals with water features and lots of shade! And for taking pictures, no cage lines in my pictures because they use thick glass for viewing. Animals looked very healthy especially the lion she was fat :) Loved the walking trails too. It was just lots of fun and we will be back when its not so hot!
Edward C. Domaingue II, 08/16/19
This is superb for children. A top choice and it just keeps getting better. The current dinosaur exhibit is just one example. Where else can you bring the family to see a mountain lion, bobcat, fox, bear in a relatively natural environment? For a respite, there are indoor exhibits and an outdoor play area. No restaurant, just a very simple snack bar, so consider packing a picnic lunch. There are lots of picnic tables. Great place for kids!!
Shaun Wyndman, 08/18/18
This is a very pricey cross between a zoo and a nature trail. The science center features several exhibits relating to the animals in the area. It also has exhibits relating to conservation etc. They offer animal shows, demonstrating live animals several times a day, and feedings three days a week, so check the schedule to see if your favorite is on display. In addition to the move animal exhibits the center features several walking trails offering an opportunity to see local wildlife and plant life. Most tree species are marked for easy identification of the local foliage. There is also a ninety minute boat tour of squam lake available for an additional fee.
Chip Work, 07/01/18
We stopped by here on the suggestion of 2 NH natives as a place our 10 year old grandson would enjoy. Well to use "enjoy" would be an understatement, if I were to describe my grandson's experience. There are so many different exhibits, each inviting and engaging young and old minds alike. The animal habitats are brilliant in design. We watched a presentation on the porcupine that had my techno-geek grandson filling up the Q & A session with his curiosity gone wild. The whole staff is very knowledgeable, professional, and polite. The trail and exhibits are clean and well kept. The whole experience was great for our grandson and myself as well.
Nathaniel Abbott, 08/10/19
This nature preserve is one or the most important places in the State, or the country. Inventive, entertaining exhibits are sprinkled liberally in between live wild animals (all rescues that would otherwise die or fair poorly). Plenty of playground installations for the Rugrats to wear themselves out on. Every parent who can must take their children as often as possible so that the messages about nature and the environment have a chance to get across and be heard and understood. There are dozens of nature and wildlife live presentations every week. This is truly a national treasure.