Outreach Programs
Let us come to
you!
Birds of Prey
Personal introduction to the world of raptors using live birds of prey
Birds in the Burgh
Hands-on introduction to birds and their identification
Whose Land Is It, Anyway?
A role-playing mock public hearing on land development
Special Topics
Let us customize a program for you
Pricing and Scheduling
Two for One Discount available!
Birds of Prey
Your students will thrill to this up-close experience with living raptors! Utilizing live birds of prey and hands-on discoveries, students will explore each raptor's natural history, the similarities and differences among species, the importance of habitat and habitat conservation, and direct and indirect human impacts on these fascinating creatures. Avian ambassadors such as the red-shouldered hawk and screech owl will be "on hand" to assist you and your students throughout this unique combination of classroom and active laboratory activities! 1 or 2 hours
Birds in the Burgh
Using the hands-on approach to learning, your students will discover the fascinating world of avian species through fun and educational activities designed to stimulate young minds about the living environment. The Birds in the Burgh series is standards-based, and incorporates many cross-curricular activities, so it can be used across the disciplines! Programs are designed for students from Kindergarten to 12th grade, and naturalists are trained to adapt program content and teaching methods to meet the unique needs of each age group. Each program comes complete with a free packet of pre-visit and post-visit activities!
Birds in the Burgh consists of three modules: Bird Detective, Bird Identifier, and Bird Watcher. These are standalone modules, but we recommend that K-6 students complete the Bird Detective program before participating in Bird Identifier or Bird Watcher
K-6 Bird Detective
What is a bird? How do birds fly? Why do birds sing? Learn the answers to these questions and more as your naturalist guide leads you on an adventure into the world of bird basics. Discover the unique adaptations that separate birds from other animals by investigating bones, beaks, feet, wings and feathers. Explore the behaviors of birds by role-playing how they walk and talk. And study the extraordinary ways that birds survive in the wild by researching habitats and how birds meet their basic needs! 45-60 minutes
K-12 Bird Identifier
Did you know that your ears are just as important as your eyes in identifying birds? Your naturalist guide will transform your classroom into a nature reserve as you study the processes of bird identification. First, explore the S's of birding and learn how to use a field guide. We'll test your visual identification skills through the use of taxidermy specimens, bird slides and more! Next, investigate bird songs and sounds and learn how to identify birds without seeing them! You'll participate in "ears-on" activities sure to bring out the bird watcher in you! 45-60 minutes
K-12 Bird Watcher
This Birds in the Burgh outdoor laboratory component encompasses the knowledge and skills developed in Bird Detective and Bird Identifier. Utilizing the habitat at your school site or a nearby park, your naturalist guide will lead you on a bird-watching adventure! Field work includes the use of field guides, habitat studies, and real-life observations of birds found in and around your schoolgrounds. Students should dress for the weather. A limited number of beginner binoculars are available upon request. 45-60 minutes
Whose Land Is It, Anyway?
A mock hearing where role-playing brings the issues home
Students experience the tension between land development and natural resource conservation as they study a mock development slated for a local parcel of land. Students assess the site first-hand and debate the proposal at a mock public hearing. Includes a combination of one field and two classroom sessions scheduled at your convenience. Field session can be held at a park, land lab or other undeveloped parcel you choose, or at Beechwood if preferred. Call for details on this customizable program.
Special Topics
Looking for a program on any local nature topic? Put our professional environmental educators to work for you!
We're not just about birds. Our education staff's collected wisdom is available for a program on any nature topic. Give us your requirements, and we'll develop a program for your classroom or schoolyard. Tree walks, GPS programs, preschool programs, schoolyard adaptations of our field trip programs, raptor identification, native plants and many more! Contact us for more information.
Pricing and Scheduling
LIMITED
TIME: Two for the Price of one funding is available!
See below!
| First program, each day* | Subsequent programs, same day | Travel Fee (per day) | |
| Birds in the Burgh | $100 | $80 | $50 |
| Birds of Prey | $125 | $80 | $50 |
| Owl Pellet Lab | $100 | $80 | $50 |
| Whose Land Is It Anyway | $20 per person ($400 Min) | ||
| Special Topic | Call for pricing | ||
Example: You book a Birds of Prey and an Owl Pellet lab for
two classrooms in one day. Your fee would be $125 for the first Raptor program,
plus 3 times $80 for the subsequent programs on the same day, plus $50 travel
fee, for a total of $125 + $80 + $80 + $80 + $50 = $415. That's only $7.98 per
student, and you don't have to arrange a bus!
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE
Thanks to a generous grants, we are offering one free Outreach Program for every 1 hour program you book at the price given above! For example, book a 1-hour raptor program for your classroom for $125, and we'll do the same program for your colleague's classroom for FREE. Book 2, get 2, etc. No limit! Available to any school in our service area! Available only while the funds last, so book now! (Daily travel fee is not discounted.) For instance, using the above example , your fee would only be $125 + $80 + $50 = $255! The second Birds of Prey and Owl Pellet lab for your colleague's classroom would be free! Only $4.55 per student, and still no bus to arrange.
* All programs are for classroom size of 26 students or less. Assembly-style programs are not available.
Reservations for the school year begin August 1. All reservations must be made at least 4 weeks in advance. To schedule or get more information, call 412-963-6100.