Experiential Learning
at
Beaver Brook Nature Center
50 years of Environmental Education for students of all ages
BBA has a staff of experienced teachers who welcome you and
your students to explore a variety of environmental topics.
Discover the Seasons
PreK-up
A sensory class & walk with emphasis on nature's cycles and developing awareness of the
interconnections in nature. Children will observe with sight, smell, touch, and sound, the
changes around them that are signaling nature's adaptations and transitions from fall to winter.
Discover Fall highlights the process of plants and animals preparing for winter. Leaves change
colors and drop. Seeds and nuts prepare for next year's cycles. Animals prepare winter homes
or migrate. Discover Winter highlights the various survival techniques employed by plants and
animals in the snowy woods and ice covered ponds. The forests are very busy and alive in
winter. Discover Spring features flowers, insects, tree and leaf shapes, pollination and birds.
PreK-2nd gr.
This program animates the concepts of hibernation, adaptation and migration with an animated
story using our new puppet theater. This can be combined with Discover the Seasoons class (2
class minimum for a 1.5 hr program). NH Standards: SC 6.2.6s; 6.1.6s; SS 3.12.6; 6.2.6s
Animals in Winter Puppet Show
3rd gr.-up
Students brainstorm winter survival techniques employed by native wildlife. They rotate through
several inquiry ‘lab’ stations on insulation, hibernation, alternative food sources and special
wildlife adaptations. Examine furs, feathers under a microscope, and food items that NE wildlife
eat. Two hour class performs an animal ‘Antifreeze’ experiment or tracking animal signs
outside. NH Standards: SC 6.2.6s; 6.1.6s; 3.2.6s
2 hours
Animals in Winter: Adaptation Stations
Maple Sugaring: History, Science, Chemistry, Biology
Prek-up
This fascinating class encompasses sugar production by trees, the historic process of Native
Americans who discovered how to cook sugar from trees, tree identification and measuring, and
the use and evolution of tools in the gathering and processing of sap. Students will use
measuring tapes, hand drill, spiles and buckets to set a tap. They will collect sap and add to
wood-fired evaporator pan. They will taste real syrup and 'Log Cabin' to see if they can tell the
difference. Learn how syrup is graded by color and what "Maple Math" is all about! Available
late February to early April. NH Std: PS 1; ESS 1; LS 1, 2; SS HI 2; SS:GE3; SS:HI3.
Wetlands and Wildlife
All ages
Beavers are incredibly well adapted creatures. While observing a beaver mount, skull, and
various other items, students will learn about the beaver’s amazing adaptations. Students will
visit a nearby beaver lodge and dam, learn how these mammals alter their environments to suit
their own needs, and see how these changes benefit other types of wildlife. Learn about the
important functions and diversity of freshwater wetlands.
Play the Shrinking Wetland and
Wetland metaphors. NH Standards: SC 6.1.6s; 6.2.6
All ages 1-3 hours
4th and up
Learning map reading is very empowering and a valuable life-long skill. In this class, participants
will learn how to read maps, use compasses and navigate on trails in search of orienteering
markers on our property. The challenges increase the longer you stay! This can be combined
with teambuilding activities or natural science challenges to accomplish along the trail. After
intro lesson, students will travel on the trails in small groups with chaperones. You always see
and learn about new things along the trail. NH standards: SS 3.10.6s
Learning to read Maps and use a compass: Orienteering
Bats and Owls
Gr. 2 & up
Bat myths are busted in this class! And owls are neatly examined. This is a great class to
experience near Halloween when bats and owls are often showcased inaccurately. We’ll turn
students into aficionados on these often misunderstood flying creatures. Take a hike to look for
owl habitat and roosting trees. Owl pellet dissection is an optional activity too. NH Standards:
SC 3.1.6s; 3.2.6s
Aquatic Wonders
K-6th, 1-2 hours
Explore the pond ecosystem! Aquatic food chains, life cycles, and water quality will be
highlighted. Students will visit an active pond habitat and using nets and hand lenses, identify
the life within. Longer classes can assess water quality by making measurements, identifying
indicator species for “clean” and “unhealthy” water systems. A watershed model is available for
assessing human impact on water resources. NH Std: Science 3A, 3B, 3D
Fine Feathered Friends
K-up, 1-2 hours
What makes a bird a bird? Learn about principles of flight and the special adaptations that are
unique to birds. We will practice some bird songs, look for nests and evidence of bird activity.
Students will visit our Bird Observation Center to observe local species. NH Stds: Science 3a,
3b, 3c, 3d, Math 1, Language Arts 5
K-5th, 1-2 hours
Using nets and bug boxes, learn about these beneficial but sometimes pesky animals that
outnumber us a million to one! Learn about the anatomy, adaptations, sometimes odd habitats
and always interesting life cycles of insects. Do field and forest insect collection and
examination. Make a visit to the Beaver Brook bee hive to learn about these brilliant honey
makers! NH Std. Sci. 1a, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d
Bugs, Butterflies, Beetles & Bees
4th and up, 1 hour
This questing activity employs maps, compasses and clues for students to seek out the habitat
needs of several different mammals: an omnivore, a carnivore, an insectivore and an herbivore.
As with letterboxing, they will find hidden boxes in the woods with teeth, skulls, and food items
that they bring back and share with the group which synthesizes the animal’s habitat needs. NH
Standards: SC 3.1.6.s; 3.4.6s; 6.1.6; 3.2.6s SS3.10.6s; 3.14.6
Habitat Quest
Native Americans of the Woodlands
All ages
Participate in a multi-station program focusing on Native American Woodland People. Students
will hike on the trail to our ash wigwam and handle and discuss implements of Woodland
Indian daily life. Students will learn to play children’s games that originated with Native
American children. In our Native American Garden, identify the “Three Sisters,” some
medicine plants and grind corn with a stone pestle. Learn how these people depended on the
land, plants, and animals for their survival and the impact that winter had on their survival. 3
hour program includes games. Four Hour program includes learning about wild edibles and
useful trees and plants. NH standards: SS 3.14.6s; 3.15.6s SC 4.16.6s; 3.2.6s
4thand up, 1-4 hours
New England lands have changed dramatically over the last 400 years. Students will learn
about land use changes and forest succession from the 1600s through the present. We will
follow a trail from an old farm and its fields through the various stages of natural reforestation
that occurs. Students will learn to age and key out trees. Along the way they will look for wildlife
signs and explore predator/prey relationships through games and activities. Option: Tree
Geometry lesson for 6th graders and up. NH Standards: SC. 3.2.6s; 3.3.6, 6.1.6s; 6.2.6s; SS
3.12. 6s; 3.14.6s; 3.15.6s
Forest Ecology
4th and up, 1 hour
This questing activity employs maps, compasses and clues for students to seek out the habitat
needs of several different mammals: an omnivore, a carnivore, an insectivore and an herbivore.
As with letterboxing, they will find hidden boxes in the woods with teeth, skulls, and food items
that they bring back and share with the group which synthesizes the animal’s habitat needs. NH
Standards: SC 3.1.6.s; 3.4.6s; 6.1.6; 3.2.6s SS3.10.6s; 3.14.6
Habitat Quest
2nd-up, 1.5-2 hours
A number of interesting clues have been found at Maple Hill Farm! Who left them? What do
they tell us? Using their detective skills, students will examine animal mounts, skins, scat, skulls
and nests and try to identify the creatures that left them behind. Once their observational skills
are sharpened, students will receive special assignments and head out onto the trails to count,
measure, collect, and observe signs left by the animals that make our area their home. NH SC
6.1.6s ; 3.2.6s; SS 3.14.6s
Nature Detectives: Tracks, Clues and Signs
Call or email about other classes:
• Rocks, Minerals, Soil & Worms
• Where are you in the Watershed?-Hydrology,, conservation, pollution
• Snowshoeing & Wildlife Tracking
• Challenge Course
Many BBA programs can be brought to schools, libraries or senior
centers. Host a Scientist-in-Residence! We’ve constructed Nature
Trails, Butterfly Gardens, and mapped habitats in schoolyards to name
a few projects. We provide teacher trainings as well!
Beaver Brook Nature Center
117 Ridge Road, Hollis, NH 03049
(603) 465-7787
www.beaverbrook.org
Min.
Program Fees
1 hour class
1.5 hour class
2 hour class
3 hour class
4 hour class
$6.00 pp
$7.50 pp
$8.00 pp
$9.50 pp
$10.50 pp
$100
$125
$140
$160
$178
The following Schools have participated in our programs.
Academy of Learning & Technology
Henry Wilson School
Polaris Starr Program
Academy of Notre Dame
Heron Pond Elementary School
Prescott School
Adventurers-Homeschooler
Hollis Academy for Children
Presentation of Mary Academy
Amherst Schools
Hollis Montessori School
Richard Maghakian Memorial School
Amherst Preschool in the Village
Hollis Preschool
River College
Applewild School
Hollis School District
Roxbury Latin School
Area Agency Teen Group
Holy Infant Jesus School
RSEC
Auburn Montessori School
Hudson Elementary School
Saint Christopher's School
Barrows School
Infant Jesus School
Salt & Light Homeschoolers
Bartlett Elementary School - New Boston
Johnny Appleseed Day Care Center
Salt and Light
Bedford NH Schools
JP Kids
Seacoast Science Center
Bright Horizons
Kiddie Academy
Second Nature Academy
Broad Street Elementary School
Kids Inn, Inc.
Seven Hills at Groton
Brookline Public Library
KinderCare Learning Center
Shirley Middle School
Campbell School
Library Street School
South Merrimack Christian Academy
Captain Samuel Douglas Academy
Little Pilgrim School
Spaulding School
Children's Choice Early Learning Center
Lunenburg School
Squannacook Elementary School
Children's Winter Garden
Lyndeborough Central School
St. Benedict Academy
Colonel Shepard Montessori School
Maple Ave. Elementary School
St. Christopher's School
Colonel William Prescott School
Maple Dene
St. Kathryn's Homeschooling Group
Country Village Montessori School
Mason Elementary School
St. Marie Childcare Center
Daniel Webster College
Mastricola School
St. Patrick's School
Dr. H.O. Smith School
McCollom School
Stepping Stone School
Dracut Senior High School
Merrimack PTA Preschool
Sunrise Children's Center
Dunstable Public Library
Merrimack Valley Hebrew Academy
Swallow Union School
Early Childhood Center at Rivier College
Milford Schools
The Lamb's Workshop
Early Learning Center of Milford
Mont Vernon Village School
The Lighthouse Christian Academy
ESL Summer School/ Nashua School District
Moppet School
The Nature of Things
Family Tree
Mount St. Mary Academy
The World Schools
Florence Rideout School
Mount Zion School
Thorton's Ferry Elementary School
Florence Roche School
Mt. Hope Christian School
Townsend Co-op Playschool
Francestown Elementary School
Mt. Veron Elementary
Townsend Spaulding School
Fresh Air Family Program
Mt. Zion Christian Academy
Tyngsborough Elementary School
Gingerbread House
Nashua Child Learning Center
Varnum Brook Elementary School
Girl Scouts Of The Green and White
Mountains
Golden Brook/Pelham Elementary School
Nashua Christian Academy
Webster Elementary School
Nashua School District
White Wing School
Gossler Park Elementary School
Great Brook School
Great Meadow Montessori School
Greater Manchester Family YMCA
Greenville Elementary School
Grinnell School
Groton Country Day
Groton Dunstable Middle School
H.O. Smith School
Hawthorne Brook Middle School
Neighborhood House Charter School
North Hampton Elementary School
North Middlesex Regional High School
Nottingham Elementary School
Nottingham West Elementary School
Nutfield Cooperative School
Oak Meadow Montessori School
Parker Varney School
Pelham Elementary School
Peterborough Elementary School
The field trip at Beaver
Brook was one of the best
days of my life! Thank you
for teaching us about
animals and nature. I really
learned alot. I hope I can go
again! Adoringly, Mitzy,
4th grade PS I am starting
to like frogs