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Educational Programs
The AEC’s educational outreach program is dedicated to translating the breadth of our research and experience into innovative, engaging and effective hands-on inquiry based experiences for groups of all ages.
The success of the educational outreach program at the AEC is predicated on two things
- Unparalleled access to primary research, data and field sites
- The ability to custom-design programming to meet the specific needs of your lesson, course or curriculum.
We build our inquiry-based hands-on programs with you to ensure they match your district curricula and state standards.
Areas of particular interest include wildlife ecology and management; natural history; nature interpretation; journaling; forest ecology and management; biogeochemistry; water chemistry; GIS mapping and remote sensing; cultural history; geology; natural resource use, exploitation, and management; and development, conservation, sustainable communities, and public policy.
In addition to these core content areas, we develop and provide programs for a wide range of inter-disciplinary experiences, including mathematics, social studies, ELA, art, and foreign languages. Natural history and the physical sciences can be utilized as an exciting thematic connector in the design of myriad cross-disciplinary programs.
Sample programs include:
“Home on the Range” The Ecology of White-tailed Deer draws on more than 40 years of live trapping, monitoring and research, perhaps the longest on-going white-tailed deer research program in North America. Program includes introduction to behavioral ecology, trapping methodology (with in-field demonstration) and remote sensing technology using hands-on telemetry field-work and GIS mapping. Data analysis component is available.
“Dam it!” The Ecology of the North American Beaver explores the ecological and economic impact of one of North America’s iconic species. Program includes introduction to behavioral ecology, trapping methodology (with in-field demonstration), in-field examination of extensive beaver complex including hands-on exploration of dam, lodge, and feeding sites, and interpretation of landscape-scale changes resulting from beaver activity.
“What’s the Big Deal about Small Mammals?” engages students in primary data collection investigating small mammal diversity, distribution and populations while learning about each species and the significant role small mammals play in the northern forest ecosystem.
“Windows of Opportunity” Forest Ecology and Management examines the complex relationships between natural and anthropogenic disturbance on a forested landscape. The program features in-depth visits to applied forestry research sites managed since 1958, including old-growth and unmanaged stands.
“The ABC’s of Observation” teaches students of all ages how to be better observers of nature, and more greatly appreciate the natural world. This program is a fantastic lead-in to myriad programs including birding, small mammal research and journaling.
“Of Mines and Men” investigates the ecological and economic impact of almost two centuries of mineral extraction at the abandoned towns of Adirondac and Tahawus.
“The Natural History of Literature” demonstrates the importance of natural history knowledge in articulating a sense of place. The program uses excerpts from well-known literature and image-based descriptive writing exercises to highlight the process of creating an accurate and rich sense of place.
We augment our on-site programming with off-site programming via class-room visits and/or through our nationally accessible distance-learning network.
Programming at AEC is focused at the high school and collegiate level; however we are willing to consider younger groups of advanced students.
We provide on-site educational programs year-round, from day trips to multi-day residential experiences, which take advantage of our housing and dining facilities.
Programs average three hours, however they can be scaled up or down to accommodate individual group needs.
Program fee is based on $75 per hour, however please contact pbhai@esf.edu to discuss specifics.
Please contact us to explore program opportunities and discuss details of your visit to AEC.
