Special Programs
Each year the Center for Environmental Education will bring in special
consultants from other parts of the country in order to provide programs
in schools.
Fearsome Predators: Separating Fact From Fallacy
(On-going throughout the year and available as an evening program)
The word predator can evoke feelings of fear and even disgust, but
who are the predators and what is their role? In this 90-minute program
taught by a P/NW BOCES Environmental Educator, students will learn
the answers to these questions and more as they examine why people
fear predators and why we should care about them. They will understand
what happens when predators are eliminated from their ecosystems and
what is being done to protect them. During the program, students will
come face to face with Atka, an Arctic wolf from the Wolf Conservation
Center located in South Salem, NY, as well as BOCES’s birds
of prey and snakes.
This assembly program is available as an in-school program and as
an evening program, either at your school or at a residential center.
Program Costs: $650 per program, $325 for each additional
program at the same school on the same day (this program qualifies
for state aid through the environmental COSER)
Mission: Wolf (Fall 2005 exact dates not yet determined)
IMAGINE SITTING IN THE SAME ROOM WITH A LIVE WOLF! Mission
Wolf is a not-for-profit wolf refuge located in the mountains of southern
Colorado. Each year Mission Wolf’s founder and director travels
throughout the United States with Ambassador Wolves to educate adults
and children about this feared and hated predator. It will be their
only stop in this region this year. The mission of the program is
to inspire respect for all life, be it wolf, human, plant, or insect.
The program will cover:
• Introduction to the world of wolves, captive and wild
• Historical and current status of wild wolves in the U.S.
• Captive wolf and wolf hybrid ownership experiences
• Wild wolf issues in Yellowstone, Colorado, Idaho, Arizona,
and Washington State
• Wolf communication and pack relationships
• Everyday life at the refuge and the reality of feeding and
taking care of 49 wolves.
The Mission Wolf program is designed to be a one hour assembly program
at your school for no less than 350 students and no more than 500
students. This program is available on a limited basis.
Program costs: $650 an assembly (this program qualifies
for state aid through the environmental COSER)
Earth Portable Classroom (May —June 2005)
Schedule will be set up in late February.
This unique program brings a 22’ diameter hand-painted representation
of our earth into your school. Your class will enter the globe through
a zipper along the International Dateline in the Pacific Ocean . Once
inside, students can participate in activities covering: continents,
oceans, mountains, rivers, cities, geographic terms and places in
the news. They may also discuss environmental issues such as rainforests,
coral reefs, ozone, pollution, and growing deserts. The content of
the program is determined by the teacher and a curriculum guide is
available for pre- and post-activities. Program length can vary depending
on grade level; a half hour for K-1, 40 minutes for grades 2 and 3,
and 45 minutes to an hour for grades 4 and up. The globe can accomodate
no more than 30 K-2 graders and 25 students in the older grades. NO
MORE THAN six programs can be done in one day, depending on the length
of the programs.
Cost: $175/program or $600 for a full day (no more
than 6 programs) (this program qualifies for state aid through the
environmental COSER)
Raptors Around Us (90 minutes/2 classes) *Please note special program
fee.
Throughout history, eagles, hawks, Falcons, and owls have been among
the most loved and hated animals. This program takes an exciting and
entertaining look at the adaptations of birds of prey found in New
York State as well as the history of raptors, people, and the land.
It will include a slide show, hands-on activities, many touchable
artifacts, and a live bird of prey that will get up close and personal
with your class! This program is ideal for students who already have
an understanding of birds and predator/prey relationships, but can
easily be honed to satisfy your group’s specific needs and knowledge
base. Special focus topics can include individual raptor species,
DDT/pesticides, habitat requirements, endangered species, and more!
Sci 21 4/4
*The cost for this program will be $175/program or $475 for a full
day (3 programs).
Plimoth Plantation’s Traveling Program (December 2005)
BRING A PILGRIM INTO YOUR CLASSROOM! A museum teacher from
the Plimoth Plantation will come in costume and portray a resident
of 1627 Plymouth. He/She will speak only in the regional dialect of
the time period and stay in character as a 1627 resident for the entire
hour. Two students, one boy and one girl, will have the opportunity
to be dressed in period clothing and the entire class will examine
reproduced artifacts.
Teachers can choose between two themes. During the Journey to Plymouth
program students explore the reasons why the Pilgrims came to America,
and life during passage on the Mayflower. They will learn what the
Pilgrims thought about the New World and the Native People they met.
During Life in 1627 Plymouth Colony, students discover what life was
like for children of the 17th Century. They will relive the responsibilities
and duties of children and understand the place children held in the
household. Games and pastimes of children will also be mentioned.
This one hour program can take place in your classroom. It is available
to one class of no more than 30 students at a time. Two pilgrims will
be available for a total of 8 programs in one day.
Program Cost: $275/program or $850/day which includes
four programs (this program qualifies for state aid through the environmental
COSER)
Team Building for Teams and Clubs
Looking for a way to create a strong, supportive team or club? Consider
bringing them to our Challenge Course Program! This program will place
participants in situations where they have to work together to solve
both physical and mental challenges. They will have to take risks, support
and trust one another, and address issues that can keep a group from
working cohesively. This program can take place at our Yorktown campus
or Madden (Kent Cliffs) facility. We can also come to your site with
a portable version of this program.
This program is available during school hours, after school, and Saturdays.
An overnight option is also available at Madden.
Fees: Full day at our sites or your school: $350
for up to 14 students; $450 for up to 28 students.
After-school program: 1 hour/1 staff (up to 30 students):
$150 2 hours/1 staff (up to 30 students): $250
1 hour/2 staff (up to 50 students): $250 2 hours/2 staff ( up to 50
students): $450
For overnight fees and more information about any of these program
options, contact Chris at 845/225-9256.
