Field Trip Topics

All Ages, choose one of the following.

Discovery Walk : Learn the importance of wetland and forest habitats and the animals and plants that call them home. Concepts can include functions of wetlands, adaptations, biodiversity and seasonal changes.

Sensory Walk: Learn the importance of wetland and forest habitats and the animals and plants that call them home. Students will be encouraged to use their senses-sight, sound, smell and touch-as they investigate the outdoors. Activities emphasize respect for and awareness of nature and the diversity of life that surrounds us.

Wetland Walk: Students will discover wetland characteristics while observing the habitat’s unique plants and soil composition. Concepts can include functions of wetlands, watersheds, filtration and succession. Students will discuss other wetland types and the role wetlands play in our environment.

Grades 7-Adults

Students will explore a stream sample of Paxton Creek using compound microscopes. In addition to investigating microscopic planktonic organisms, they will perform chemical tests to better understand the water quality of the stream.

This program is available April through October, and is not offered in conjunction with Macroinvertebrate Study.

Preschool-Grade 12

Wildwood is a great place to see birds of all kinds up close. Students will learn  identification and natural history of the birds at Wildwood. Concepts can include bird anatomy, migration, adaptation, nests/eggs and the use of binoculars.

All Ages

Students will conduct a field investigation to explore insects. Concepts include insect anatomy, metamorphosis, adaptations and pollination.

This program is available April through October.

Grades 3-Adults

Students will explore a macroinvertebrate sample of Paxton Creek using dissecting microscopes. While exploring unique adaptations, they will identify and classify organisms in small groups.

This program is available April through October, and is not offered in conjunction with Aquatic Study.

Preschool-Grade 5

Students will work in small groups to discover adaptations using mammal artifacts such as pelts and skulls in order to present their findings to the class. Students will explore roles of animals and discuss terms including predator/prey, herbivore/carnivore and food chains.

Preschool-Grade 7

Students will compare and contrast the characteristics of reptiles and amphibians. Activities will focus on adaptations and metamorphosis of snakes, frogs and turtles that live at Wildwood Park. Students will explore animal artifacts to identify some of these scaly and slimy friends.

This program is available April through May and is most effective at the North Lot.

Preschool-Grade 5

Students will look for evidence of seeds around the Nature Center. Concepts can include adaptations, classification, life cycles and the importance of seeds.

Grades K-Adults

Students will learn about the parts of a tree, tree identification and will create leaf rubbings while exploring the trees around the Nature Center. They will also learn how to age a tree.