Teacher's Guide to Educational Programs
2011 - 2012
- Programs are free for Mahoning County schools.
- Non-Mahoning County schools pay $2 per child or $20 minimum.
- We welcome home-schoolers.
- Outreach Programs are held at your school (Mahoning County schools only)
NATURE
- To schedule the following programs, call Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107.
- Nature education programs are offered at Ford Nature Center.
- See individual program descriptions for program sites.
Ford Nature Center is located at 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, Ohio 44511 and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sensing Nature
Preschoolers will interact with nature through the use of their senses. Program is held indoors and outdoors. Offered at Ford Nature Center.
LIMIT: 60 students
AVAILABLE: September - April
AGE: Preschool
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 minutes - 1 hour
MATERIALS: Previsit (download pdf) and Postvisit (download pdf)
Seasons Go 'Round
Through explorations and activities children will develop an awareness of the world around them. This program is held primarily outdoors to appreciate seasonal changes. Offered at Ford Nature Center.
LIMIT: 60 students
AVAILABLE: September - October; May - June
AGE: Kindergarten
PROGRAM LENGTH: 1 hour
MATERIALS: Previsit-Spring (download pdf) and Postvisit-Spring (download pdf)
Hi, Honey!
Join us as we examine the master architects of the insect world—bees. Learn their importance in the natural world and explore their lives from hive to honey. Program is held indoors. Offered at Ford Nature Center.
LIMIT: 50 students
AVAILABLE: March - April
AGE: Grades K - 1
PROGRAM LENGTH: 1 hour
MATERIALS: Previsit (download pdf) and Postvisit (download pdf)
Forest Friends
Creatures leave clues that tell us where they live and what they are doing. Learn about animal signs and meet real forest friends during this hands-on program. Offered at Ford Nature Center.
LIMIT: 60 students
AVAILABLE: September - early November; April - June
AGE: Grade 1
PROGRAM LENGTH: 1½ hours
MATERIALS: Previsit (download pdf) and Postvisit (download pdf)
Habitat Is Home
Students will learn about the needs of animals and explore a variety of habitats near the nature center. This program includes a scavenger hunt, hands-on experiences with live animals, and outdoor activities. Offered at Ford Nature Center.
LIMIT: 60 students
AVAILABLE: September - early November; April - June
AGE: Grade 2
PROGRAM LENGTH: 1½ hours
MATERIALS: Previsit (download pdf) and Postvisit (download pdf)
Minibeasts
Investigate the often-overlooked creatures of the forest and field—insects, spiders, centipedes, and more. We'll learn what characteristics these animals have in common and what sets them apart. Offered at Ford Nature Center.
LIMIT: 75 students
AVAILABLE: September - early October; May - June
AGE: Grade 3
PROGRAM LENGTH: 1½ hours
MATERIALS: Previsit (download pdf) and Postvisit (download pdf)
"Tree"mendous!
Explore the world of trees from acorn to oak. Fun activities will help students learn about tree structures and functions, classification, and more. Offered at Ford Nature Center.
LIMIT: 60 students
AVAILABLE: September - October; May - June
AGE: Grade 4
PROGRAM LENGTH: 1½ hours
MATERIALS: Previsit (download pdf) and Postvisit (download pdf)
Extreme Streams
Investigate the stream ecosystem of Bear Creek. Using scientific methods, dip into the waters to sample the aquatic life and learn how it all ties together. Offered at Ford Nature Center.
LIMIT: 50 students
AVAILABLE: September; May - June
AGE: Grade 5
PROGRAM LENGTH: 2 hours
MATERIALS: Previsit (download pdf) and Postvisit (download pdf)
Biodiversity Basics
What is biodiversity and what role does it play in our everyday lives? Students will learn the answers to these questions and more through a slide show, simulation game, and other activities. Offered at Ford Nature Center.
LIMIT: 50 students
AVAILABLE: September - October; April - June
AGE: Grades 6 and up
PROGRAM LENGTH: 2 hours
MATERIALS: Previsit (download pdf) and Postvisit (download pdf)
NATURE OUTREACH PROGRAMS
- Outreach programs are held at your school.
- Available to Mahoning County schools only.
- To schedule the following programs, call Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107.
AGRICULTURE
- To schedule the following programs, call Mill Creek MetroParks Farm at 330-533-7572.
- Farm hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The MetroParks Farm is located at 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield, Ohio 44406.
Farmer for a Day
Experience a working farm from crops to livestock on this tour of the MetroParks Farm. Students will take a tractor-wagon ride, visit the animals, and have fun with educational exhibits. Meet at MetroParks Farm.
LIMIT: 100 students
AVAILABLE: April - October
AGE: Preschool and up
PROGRAM LENGTH: 1 - 1½ hours
AGRICULTURE OUTREACH PROGRAMS
- To schedule the following programs, call MetroParks Farm at 330-533-7572.
- One program per classroom.
- Mahoning County schools only.
Barnyard Buddies
A baby goat and/or some of his barnyard friends will come for a visit. Students will identify all types of farm animals. (Due to Health Department Regulations, baby birds are not permitted in classrooms with children under the age of 5.)
LIMIT: 50 students
AVAILABLE: November - March
AGE: K and up (call for preschool program option)
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 minutes
Happiness Is...a Cow!
Students will take an in-depth look at a dairy farm operation and discuss products from cow to table. Students will also make butter.
LIMIT: 30 students
AVAILABLE: November - March
AGE: Grades K and up
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 minutes
Coming to America
This Thanksgiving program demonstrates what the Native Americans taught the Pilgrims. Children will plant seeds.
LIMIT: 50 students
AVAILABLE: November only
AGE: Grades K and up
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 minutes
Little Red Hen
Students will follow the little red hen through her story and help her by grinding wheat. Students will make play dough.
LIMIT: 30 students
AVAILABLE: November - March
AGE: Grades K or 1
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 minutes
Food Power Tower
Students will participate in a story that reveals food sources on the farm and nutritional information and then will play a food bingo game.
LIMIT: 50 students
AVAILABLE: November - March
AGE: Grades 2 and up
PROGRAM LENGTH: 1 hour
Wooly Critter
We'll discuss the sheep and wool industries. Children will have the opportunity to card wool, try out a spinning wheel, and weave.
LIMIT: 30 students
AVAILABLE: November - March
AGE: Grades 3 and up
PROGRAM LENGTH: 1 hour
Captain Cornelius
What a world of difference corn makes! Students will help identify corn's many uses and learn how this crop is grown. Hands-on experience making "biodegradable corn stuff." TV/VCR needed.
LIMIT: 30 students
AVAILABLE: November - March
AGE: Grades 4 - 5
PROGRAM LENGTH: 1 hour
HORTICULTURE
- To schedule the following programs, call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116.
- All programs are held on site. Hours are: Tuesday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Fellows Riverside Gardens is located at 123 McKinley Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44509.
Botanical Discoveries
This educational tour through the Gardens highlights various cultivated plants according to the season. In the fall, students will view the seed production of plants and learn how plants prepare for winter. In the spring, instruction will focus on plant growth and pollination. This program can be tailored to specific classroom curricula and ages of students.
LIMIT: 60 students
AVAILABLE: late April - mid October
AGE: Preschool - Grades 8
PROGRAM LENGTH: 1 - 2 hours based on age of students
Carnivorous Plants
Investigate some of the most intriguing plants on Earth--carnivorous plants! Students will view a brief video about this unique group of plants that have evolved to catch their food. Each classroom receives a Venus Fly Trap terrarium. May be combined with Botanical Discoveries to accommodate groups larger than 30.
LIMIT: 30 students
AVAILABLE: September - October; April - May
AGE: Grades 3 - up
PROGRAM LENGTH: 1 - 1½ hours
Super Seeds
Children will learn what a seed is and what it needs to germinate. Activities for students will include a seed sorting, a seed necklace, and sowing seeds.
LIMIT: 60 students
AVAILABLE: January - March
AGE: Grades K - 2
PROGRAM LENGTH: 2 hours
Leaf It to Us
What is so special about leaves? Students will learn about leaf shapes, sizes, and its role in making food for plants. Students will make their own embossed metal leaf.
LIMIT: 60 students
AVAILABLE: September - October; April - June
AGE: Grades 3 and up
PROGRAM LENGTH: 2 hours
HISTORY
- The following programs are held at Lanterman's Mill.
- To schedule these programs, call Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107.
Programs are scheduled for Tuesday - Friday; the Mill is closed Mondays.
Lanterman's Mill is located on Canfield Road, Route 62, Youngstown, Ohio.
Milling Around
This hands-on program is especially geared for young children. Learn how pioneer boys and girls lived and try your hand at grinding grain.
LIMIT: 30 students
AVAILABLE: September - October; May - June
Mill Tour and Gorge Walk
Tour a 19th century gristmill and watch as grain is stone-ground into meal using power provided by the water of Mill Creek. Hike a half-mile through the gorge along the scenic boardwalk trail following Mill Creek and see what inspired Volney Rogers to create Mill Creek Park.
LIMIT: 60 students
AVAILABLE: September - October; May - June
AGE: Grades 2 and up
PROGRAM LENGTH: 1½ hours
Mill Tour Only
LIMIT: 60 students
AVAILABLE: September - October; May - June
AGE: Grades 2 and up