Bring
your group to Meadowside
Meadowside Nature Center offers weekday programs for school groups, scouts and other organized groups.
NOTE: Effective September 2004, our new fee schedule for programs and self-guided groups is as follows:
- Fees for naturalist (led school and other organized group programs)
$5 per student/child (group leaders and chaperones are not included). - Self-guided Groups
$1/child
Leaders guide to programs at Meadowside Nature Center
Information for group leaders
Reservations
Leaders guide to programs at Meadowside Nature Center
Native
Americans
Seasons
Weather & me
Predators, prey & me
Life in the Soil
Maple Sugaring
Habitat Excursion
Herpetology
Bugs Rule
Leapin' Lepidopterans
Plant Party
Geology
Down on the Farm
Apple Cider Pressing
Self-Guided Building
Tours
Legacy of the Land
Curiosity Corner
Legacy of the People
Native
Americans
Explore how Native Americans are believed to have lived.
What did they eat? Where did they live? How did they treat the land? Program
emphasizes local geography and natural resources as an influence on Native
American culture.
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Seasons
Learn
how native plants and animals change with the seasons. Who stays? Who
goes? What survival strategies do various plants and animals use during
different seasons?
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Weather & me
What is weather? How does the weather affect us? What is meteorologist?
Why are some days rainy and others sunny? Learn about weather basics like
wind, temperature, precipitation, and clouds and check out some wild facts
about weather.
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Predators, prey
& me
We are what we eat. Some animals are herbivores, some carnivores,
and some omnivores. What are you? Learn how animals and plants depend
on one another for survival. Delve into the world of mammals, predator/prey
relationships, camouflage, mimicry, and more as we cover this fascinating
area of natural history.
Introduction (pdf)
Projects (pdf)
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Life in the Soil
Get down and dirty to discover the amazing life
of soil. Explore the region's different soil types. Where does soil come
from? What and who lives there? Why do we need it? And how do we get more?
Get the squirmy wormy facts?
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Maple Sugaring
(early Spring)
When the days are turning warm and the nights are
crystal cold, it's maple sugaring time. Learn how to make maple syrup.
See how we collect sap from our trees, boil it down and then enjoy a taste
test.
Introduction
Glossary
Word
find
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Habitat Excursion
Explore native habitats to learn how plants and animals are uniquely
suited to their niches. Discover the interdependence of plants and animals.
Program can encompass general habitat requirements or focus on specific
plant and animal communities such as wetlands, meadows or forests.
Introduction
Projects (part
1)
Projects (part
2)
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Herpetology
Discover the lives and ecology of our native reptiles
and amphibians through hands-on activities, biofacts, or examples from
Meadowside's live animal collection. Uncover differences in skeletal structure,
coloration, hunting strategies and more.
Introduction
Projects
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Bugs Rule
Insects are one of the largest groups of animals on the planet. Learn
about the major orders of this fascinating class of animals. Discover
what makes an insect an insect and a bug a bug. Explore the different
types of life cycles, feeding strategies, and adaptations exhibited by
insects.
Introduction
Projects
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Leapin' Lepidopterans
Lepidopterans, or butterflies and moths,
are one of the insect world's most fascinating and charming members. Explore
the life cycles of butterflies and moths, their differences and similarities,
their food preferences, and their unusual survival strategies. Students
may participate in and/or learn about butterfly survey methods.
Introduction
Projects
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Plant Party
From pollination to seed dispersal, flowering plants have developed
amazing ways to survive an reproduce. Plants use the chemistry of color,
scent, taste, and more to attract animal go-betweens or deter predators.
Students explore the incredible world of plants through film, hands-on
activities, hikes, or samples.
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Geology
Investigate the properties or rocks and minerals. Enjoy this 1
1/2 hours
outdoor exploration of easily observed geologic processes such as erosion,
weathering, and sedimentation. Examine rocks, minerals, and soil.
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Down on the Farm
Take a 1
1/2 hour trip back in time to experience farm life in the 1880s at our
historic farmstead. Daily activities, food, and gardening will be some
of the topics discussed.
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Apple Cider Pressing
Autumn is a great time for apples and apple cider making!
This program covers the tale of Johnny Appleseed and cultural history
aspects of apples in the United States, natural history of apple trees,
and the tastiness of fresh pressed cider! Children will be able to help
make and taste the cider.
Introduction
Projects
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Self-Guided Building
Tours
All self-guided groups
must notify Meadowside Nature Center in advance to reserve a tour time.
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Legacy of the Land
Enjoy a unique chance to explore your natural heritage. Walk through
an earthen tunnel, look underwater at fish and turtles, crawl through
a cave and walk along a path to observe animals in their natural habitats.
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Curiosity Corner
Explore a hands-on discovery room designed to stimulate the senses.
Displays include a microscope table, discover boxes with games and puzzles,
a wildlife observation area, and live animals.
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Legacy of the People
This cultural history exhibit lets you experience the day-to-day activities
of Maryland's early settlers and Native Americans. Opportunities include
dressing in costumes, playing with toys and games, and learning about
daily life through hands-on exhibits.
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Information for group leaders
- All programs are approximately 1 hour, except as noted.
- Naturalist programming is available Tuesday through Friday if reservations have been made by the leader accompanying the group.
- Please tell us any special requirements your group may need.
- Have several program dates and times desired in mind when calling for reservations in case your first choice is taken.
- All Naturalists led programs must be scheduled in advance.
- Group
program requests are accepted according to the following dates:
- February - June 15: call us beginning 1st Tuesday in January
- June 16 - August: call us beginning 1st Tuesday in May
- September - January: call us 1st Tuesday before Montgomery County Public Schools start
- Programs topics are general and vary with season and Naturalist.
- Group sizes are limited to one class or 36 participants per program. Minimum of 10 participants per program.
- All park areas are nature preserves. By law, all plants, animals, rocks, and minerals are protected in their natural state and cannot be altered or collected.
- Please notify staff if you have to cancel or postpone your program.
- Dress for the weather. We go out in sun, rain, and snow.
- Limited picnic tables are located near the nature center. No indoor eating areas are available.
- Self Guided Programs
Groups may visit the nature center on a self-guided basis. However, priority use of the facility is given to scheduled groups. Call to reserve a time for the Legacy of the Land, Legacy of the People, and Curiosity Corner (animal, hands on discovery room). - Montgomery County
School Curriculum
Our programs are designed to enhance and complement the excellent science and social studies programs in the Montgomery County Public School System. - No refunds are made unless we cancel the program.
- We require a $50 deposit within 1 week of reservation to hold your program space.
Reservations
Call Meadowside Nature Center at 301-924-4141
Tuesday - Friday
from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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Date of last page update: February 27, 2008
