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Bud Cooke told me to get in contact with Roger Spotts the head naturalist there. They do tours to the Tannersville Cranberry Bog, and also have other programs on environmental education. In Monroe County every 4th grader goes on a tour of the Bog as part of their curriculum. Mr. Cooke said it was a 1st class place with a store, exhibits and plenty of naturalists to answer questions.
It is located at 8050 Running Valley Rd., Stroudsburg and their phone number is 570-629-3061.
"The Education Center is located at the County-owned Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary near Bartonsville. This 13,000 sq. foot facility contains the Administrative and Technical offices of the Conservation District. It also houses the Monroe County Environmental Education Center on its second floor. Over 7,200 sq. ft. of space is devoted to educational programs including two large classroom/meeting areas, offices, kitchen, public restrooms and numerous displays and exhibits on the Pocono's natural environment.
The Center also contains a gift shop with many different educational and environmentally oriented items for sale including a large selection of birdfeeders, quality birdseed, field guides and more. On the outside of the building is a large observation deck and additional classroom area. Many different educational programs are offered year-round. The building is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and usually the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m."(directly from website) [reviewed by Julie Evans, Fall 2005]
To schedule a program contact:
Education Specialist, Jeremy Scheivert
610-756-6000, ext 227
scheivert@hawkmountain.org
For more information, click here. [reviewed by Megan Donovan, Fall 2005]
PEEC has been active about 25 years, they offer both on-site and outreach programs. Some topics they teach on include natural science, adventure education, environmental literacy, and special presentations. They also offer continuing education programs for teachers (which can be used for In-Service Credits!).
If you are interested in utilizing PEEC as a resource in your classroom, contact the Programs Planner, Jamie Harbaugh, at (570) 828-2310, or email her at jamienh@peec.org. [reviewed by Amanda Popielski, Fall 2005]
Here’s the info:
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Bushkill, Pa. 18324
570-588-2451
[reviewed by Jeff Wisnoski, Fall 2005]
The school programs are specifically designed to correlate with the existing curriculums of each grade and district in Carbon County. The topics are extended to the field from the classroom and resources of all types (visual aids, artifacts, specimens, texts, videos, slides, etc.) are utilized in classes. County schools utilize the Center's services in meeting the Environmental and Ecology standards. However, some of these activities are also applicable to the Science and Technology Standards. For example, adaptations are an important part of evolution, and the Center offers a number of programs about animal behavior and adaptations.
Program cost varies and is based on the school location, number of students, and exact program configuration.
In addition to on-site programs, the Center also offers the following:
Additional information about the center, its programs, and costs can be found at http://home.ptd.net/~cceec/, emailing CCEEC@ptd.net or by calling 570 645-8499. [reviewed by Ross Ruschman, Fall 2005]
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center
835 Jacobsburg Rd.
Wind Gap, PA 18091
610-746-2801
Manager: Dale Prinkey
E-mail: jacobsburgsp@state.pa.us
[reviewed by Chris Erdo, Fall 2005]
Environmental Education Program
Educators and school groups wishing to participate in a learning
experience at Jacobsburg should contact the center office for program
scheduling and reservation information.
*variety of quality programs including; student field learning experiences, Youth Environmental Learning Series, Environmental Forums for high school students, Conservation Leadership Schools, the Bureau’s Watershed Education, school site and curriculum development, and numerous in-service and pre-service teacher workshops focusing on problem-solving for a variety of environmental issues and natural history.
Heritage Education Program
*displays and demonstrations of early gun making at the Pennsylvania
Longrifle Heritage Museum currently in the Henry Homestead.
Recreational Opportunities
Trails: 18.5 miles of trails
Picnicking
Fishing
Access for People with Disabilities
Wildlife Watching
Natural Resources
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center
835 Jacobsburg Rd.
Wind Gap, PA 18091
610-746-2801
Manager: Dale Prinkey
E-mail: jacobsburgsp@state.pa.us
[reviewed by Melissa Burns, Fall 2005]
Slide mountain is a wilderness area so all the precautions for such a trip need to be taken. There are no fees to enter into the park or the forest. Proper clothing and foot attire is necessary as well as plenty of food and water while the students are on the trail and traveling. While the walk up to the top of slide may take 3 hours coming down doesn't usually take more than 1.5 making it about a 5 hour round trip in the woods. Driving to and from slide mountain from our area takes about 5-6 hours making this type of trip a very long day for the students, one that it is well worth it though. We took this trip in one of my biology classes and I will never forget it! Be sure if planning a trip like this to make an alternate rain date, this area is no place to be with a group in the rain, you'll want a good day to go.
Information regarding Slide mountain as well as all the places to visit in the Catskills can be found at http://www.catskillguide.com/. Though it is not necessary, maps are available for the area as well as directions to the different trailheads in the park. [reviewed by Kevin Peterson, Fall 2005]
Kopernik Program Costs: The basic program cost is $170 for each group of up to 50 students for an hour of instruction. Special expanded programs or smaller groups can be arranged by calling Kopernik at 607-748-3685 or 607-772-0660 ext. 338.
All Kopernik programs meet the New York State and Pennsylvania State standards for Math, Science and Technology.
This community resource is very close to Binghamton, NY. [reviewed by Kathy Youshock, Fall 2005]
Some of the exhibits open right now include "Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries", "The Butterfly Conservatory," "Voices from South of the Clouds," "Vital Variety," "The Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth," "The Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites," and "The Milstein Hall of Ocean Life." A new exhibit, "DARWIN," is coming soon (opens Nov 19th). It will highlight the life of Darwin, his achievements, theories, and contributions. Some of the actual fossil specimens Darwin collected will be on display, as well as live Galapagos tortoises, iguanas, and frogs. [reviewed by Megan Morgan, Fall 2005]
The Center provides children with fun, hands-on educational opportunities through at its facility in Allentown and classroom outreach programs.
The Discovery Center is a learning laboratory for the exploration and demonstration of best practices for teaching with scientific inquiry. The center offers professional development programs for teachers.
The center is open for field trips and offers more than hands-on exhibits that illustrate concepts and encourage students to be active learners. The center offers workshop programs in the following areas:
To get more information about the center you can visit their website http://www.discovery-center.org/vsl.html
To schedule a field trip or a visiting science lab you can call 484.664.1002, Ext. 121.
For directions, click here. For hours, click here.
Admission Costs
Adults - $8.25
Seniors (ages 62 and above) - $6.75
Children (ages 3-12) - $6.75
Children 3 and Under - FREE
Military Member/Veteran - $6.75
[reviewed by Michele Fogarty, Fall 2005]
For more information on booking a tour or specific programs, please call:
(570) 346-7186
Everhart Museum,
1901 Mulberry St.
Scranton, PA 18510
Life through Time
Our Life through Time gallery holds more than just dinosaurs. From
triobites to saber-tooth tigers, our tour will discuss fossils, fish,
plants, mammals, and the changing face of the land through millions
of years. Needless to say, we'll investigate the dinosaurs' world and
their ultimate fate too! PA Standards 1.6, 1.7, 3.2-3.5, 4.2, 4.6,
4.7, 7.2, 8.1, 8. [Greg Hoffner, Fall 2005]
An explosive adventure into the world of chemistry, this show demonstrates some of the basic principles of physical and chemical reactions. Chemicals that mysteriously change color, expanding foam, and shooting flames are enough to get anyone fired up about chemistry! " or their second chemistry assembly, "The Right Stuff - The Science of Materials Grades 5-12: Explore the exciting world of materials science by learning about the properties and structures of metals, ceramics, polymers (plastics), semiconductors and composites. The audience will exp erience metal that remembers its shape, see tin foil being made right in front of their eyes, and learn what window glass, computers, and bathroom caulk have in common. Investigate processes that create everything from household items to the latest innovations in materials science." The contact for this is Frances Cirasa at travelingscience@lsc.org or 201.451.0006 EXT. 584. [reviewed by Lauren Ricci, Fall 2005]
I'm also investigating whether Xcelon gives tours of the Limerick nuclear plant and TMI #1. [reviewed by Eric Overholt, Fall 2005]
I would be interested in taking my chemistry students on their best factory tour. This is a great opportunity for the students to appreciate the chemical processes and chemistry that goes into wrappers they probably hold in their hand on a weekly basis.
A preview of the factory tour is available on line. The amounts of
materials and the large scale processing that is involved would be
impressive scientifically to high school students. I believe we could
have interesting discussions during and after the tour. I could
probably involve some of my chemical engineering experience into the
discussions.
1300 Stefko Boulevard
Bethlehem, PA 18017
Main Telephone (800) 445-5787
Customer Service (800) 652-3267
Consumer Relations (888) 645-3453
[reviewed by Lou Pacchioli, Fall 2005]
The Field Trip is completely FREE and the tour takes about 2 hours.
The tour is broken up into three parts.
1. Energy Program
2. Nature Walk
3 Perimeter Tour
The Power Plant, prefers the trips to be planned weeks in advance. In addition they like to have them Tue-Thurs. from 10-12. There is also a pavilion in which lunch could be held. The pavilion has to be reserved, and it is also FREE.
The Address: (Off of Rt. 11)
634 Salem Blvd.
Berwick, Pa 18603
[reviewed by Natasha Chromey, Fall 2005]
The kids build accelerometers and astrolabes to take with them in the park, and then use these instruments to complete a series of measurements. Dorney has a whole packet of mechanics problems for the kids to solve that relate specifically to their rides. Physics day is held in mid May. Contact Dorney at www.dorneypark.com for more info. [reviewed by Eric Overholt, Fall 2005]
Dan Poresky founded and ran “Dan’s Camera City” for years here in the Lehigh Valley before retiring and devoting himself full time to running this environmental organization. You may have noticed his groups stickers on the napkin dispensers at Musikfest. Dan gave a demonstration on energy and how we use it, to my church youth group. He burned a cashew to demonstrate the enormous amount of calories that are available to us, and that food is “stored sunshine”. He exhorted us to get involved with local preservation and conservation efforts.
His contact info is on the website, I’m sure he be glad to set up a time to talk to a classroom. [reviewed by Chris Briggs, Fall 2005]