Wildlife  •  Education  •  Planetarium
Contact Us | Directions | Hours of Operation

education

field trips and group programs

Bring your class to Lake Erie Nature & Science Center for a field trip unlike any other! Our Field Trip Programs cover the Ohio Academic Content Standards in Science with hands-on activities and inquiry-based learning experiences. Expect more activities, less lecture! Come prepared to engage in the wonder of scientific discovery.

Living “Ohio Wildlife” (deer, red fox, skunk, raccoon, mink, bald eagle, owls, snakes, hawks and more!) provide students with up-close encounters in our Life Science field trip programs. Varied habitats in the Huntington Reservation enhance our exploration of the “Habitats of Ohio” and beyond. Water and Sand tables, rock and mineral specimens and identification kits provide exciting hands-on experiences in our Power of Water and Geology field trip programs. The Space Science Ohio Content Standards come to life in our world-class Walter R. Schuele Planetarium.

Please note: Only Planetarium programs are available during the summer months of June, July & August

Download s School Field Trip Program Guide

Weather
Date: Available Oct., Nov., Mar., Apr.
Includes Outdoor Weather Data Collection
Time/Duration: 90 minutes
  Grades 4 and 5 Fee: One Program (1 to 2 Hrs.)
$5/student
$60 minimum/deposit

Two Programs
$8/student
$100 minimum/deposit
May include any two programs-science or planetarium
Why does our weather constantly change?  We'll explore temperature, clouds, wind and barometric pressure in this class that allows the students to observe and record current weather conditions.  Using their weather knowledge and metreorology skills they will predict the weather.  Learn through hands-on experiments what happens when air pressure changes and fronts collide.  We'll learn many facts and dispel some weather fiction in this fun, engaging class.

Grade 4 Ohio Science Content Standards:
    Earth & Space Science 1-7
    Scientific Inquiry 1-3
    Scientific Ways of Knowing 1,2


Animals, Animals
Date: Available during the school year Time/Duration: 30 or 60 minutes
Choose 1 Option for 60 min. program
or Add an Option
or As a self-guided activity
  Grades Pre-K and up
Fee: 30-Minute Program: $3/ student
$40/minimum/deposit

1 to 2 Hour Program: $5/student
$60 minimum/deposit

Two Programs: $8.00/student
$100.00 minimum/deposit
May include any two programs-Science or Planetarium
What is the difference between a pet and a wild animal? Students will find out in this unique program that provides an opportunity to interact with the resident Center critters. This is our traditional animal program that provides up-close encounters with a variety of animals, including mammals, reptiles and birds of prey in a classroom setting (approximately 5 animals). Students may then choose to tour the Center’s indoor exhibits, or observe the wildlife exhibits in the Center’s Wildlife Gardens. Please reserve extra time for your group after their program if you wish to explore all of the Center’s wildlife exhibits!
Content is tailored to the age level participating in the program and may vary with the availability of Center animals.


Nature Hike
Date: Available during the school year in the months of Sept, Oct, Apr, May; weather permitting Time/Duration: 60 minutes
  Grades K and up Fee: One Program (1 -2 hours)
$5/student
$60 minimum/deposit

Two Programs:
$8/student
$100 minimum/deposit
What are the native plants and animals of Ohio’s fields and forests? The outdoors is our classroom as we explore and discover the habitats of Huntington Reservation. This class provides a great introduction to the Ohio wildlife and native species science content standards.
Grade K Ohio Science Content Standards:
   Life Sciences Content Standards 1,3-6
   Earth & Space Sciences Content Standards 2,3
   Scientific Inquiry Content Standards 1,4,7
   Scientific Ways of Knowing Content Standards 3


Wildlife of Ohio
Date: Available during the school year Time/Duration: 60 minutes
Add an Option: as a self-guided activity (see special options)
  Grades Pre-K and up Fee: One Program (1 to 2 hrs.)
$5/student
$60 minimum/deposit

Two Programs
$8/student
$100 minimum/deposit
May include any two programs-science
or planetarium
This traditional animal program includes a classroom session featuring up-close encounters with local Ohio wildlife. A walk in the Wildlife Gardens will also highlight the many resident Ohio animals that are on exhibit at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center.
Grade 2 Ohio Science Content Standards:
    Life Sciences 8


Habitats of Ohio
Date: Available during the school year in the months of Sept, Oct, Apr, May
Time/Duration: 90 minutes
Add an Option: or as a self-guided activity (see special options)
  Grades 1-3 Fee: One Program (1 to 2 hrs)
$5/student
$60 minimum/deposit

Two Programs
$8/student
$100 minimum/deposit
May include any two programs-science or planetarium
Add an Option: or as a self-guided activity (see special options) What makes up a habitat? First, we’ll meet a variety of live animals and learn about their habitats. We will focus on the plants, animals, and habitats of Ohio. Then we’ll hike through Huntington Reservation, using activities to investigate local habitats first-hand.
Grade 2 Ohio Science Content Standards:
   Life Sciences Content Standards 1-9
   Scientific Inquiry Content Standards 2,5,6
   Scientific Ways of Knowing Content Standards 3


The Power of Water
Date: Available in selected weeks in January and February Time/Duration: 2 hours
  Grades 3-4 Fee: One Program (1 to 2 hrs.)
$5/student
$60 minimum/deposit

Two Programs
$8/student
$100 minimum/deposit
May include any two programs-science
or planetarium
Explore weathering and soil erosion by water in this hands-on sandy, wet adventure with our stream tables. Watch a stream age in minutes, build a dam, and determine ways to preserve our precious soil resources.
Grade 3 Ohio Science Content Standards:
   Earth & Space Sciences 3
   Scientific Inquiry 1,2,4,6
Grade 4 Ohio Science Content Standards:
   Earth & Space Sciences 8-10
   Scientific Inquiry 2-5


Geology
Date: Very Limited Availability; Call for dates
(Includes: Hike, weather permitting)
Time/Duration: 2 hours
  Grades 3 - 6 Fee: One Program (1 to 2 hrs):
$5/student
$60 minimum/deposit

Two Programs:
$8/student
$100 minimum/deposit
May include any two programs-Science or Planetarium

Hands-on investigations will help students gain an understanding of the “rock cycle” and the earth’s composition. Students will try their hand at rock AND mineral identification. We will study Ohio geology and hike to explore the geological features of Huntington Reservation.

Ohio Science Content Standards

Grade 3 Earth & Space Sciences 1 - 3
Grade 6
Earth & Space Sciences 1 - 3

Grade 6 Scientific Inquiry 1 - 4

This program has very limited availability. Please call the Center for dates. 440.871.2900


Our Great Lake Erie
Date: Available during the school year in the months of Sept, Oct, May
(Includes: Hike)
Time/Duration: 2 hours
  Grades 5 and up Fee: One Program (1 to 2 hrs.)
$5/student
$60 minimum/deposit

Two Programs
$8/student
$100 minimum/deposit
May include any two programs-science
or planetarium
Test your Lake Erie I.Q.! How much do you know about the great sweetwater resource at your doorstep?  How do we rely on our Great Lake Erie and what makes Lake Erie special? We’ll hike to the lake and explore our north coast shoreline. We’ll take dissolved oxygen and pH measurements of Lake Erie, and survey the local beach flora and fauna. Please arrange for school field trip buses to pick you up at the east end of the Lake Erie parking lot in Huntington Reservation at the conclusion of your field trip time.

Ohio Science Content Standards:
Grade 5  Life Sciences 4-6
Grade 5  Science & Technology 1
Grade 5  Scientific Inquiry  1,2
Grade 7  Earth & Space Sciences 2-4
Grade 7  Life Sciences 3-6




View Next Season's Programs

To make a reservation for School Field Trips or questions call Bev Walborn at (440) 871-2900.

Back to Top