Skip to main contentSkip to footer content
 

Northern Forest Institute
School Programs

Interdisciplinary Programs to Support Your Curriculum

We are dedicated to providing you and your students with unique and meaningful programming that will supplement lessons in your classroom. Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach, NFI offers hands-on, place-based experiential educational programs for groups of all ages. Topics and subjects we draw upon include:

Programs

  • Sciences
  • History
  • Technology
  • Arts & Humanities
  • Reading & Writing
  • Outdoor Skills
  • Adirondack Ecological Center research

Teachers are under increasing pressure to provide standards-based lessons, especially with the adoption of the new Common Core learning standards. Our staff are dedicated to helping you incorporate these standards into your group's programming. Our existing programs satisfy a wide variety of K-12 standards and we can work with you to integrate any specific standards upon request. Explore the wide range of Common Core and NYS learning standards our school programs satisfy by downloading our Standards brochure.

For more information about the programs we offer, check out our School Group Brochure. Do you have a certain topic in mind that are programs don't cover? No problem, we can work with you to build your own program specific to your group's needs and learning goals.

Guideboat Programming

NFI's fleet of authentic Adirondack guideboats and canoes offers your students a fantastic opportunity to learn local natural and cultural history from the water. Visit our Guideboat page for more information.

Teaching with Technology

We have the technology and know-how to supplement any of our programs with components such as data collection and management techniques, statistical analysis, GPS (geographic positioning system) technology, and GIS (geographic information system) mapping and analysis. For example, during the small mammal program students can use GPS technology to record live-trap locations then display and analyze the data using GIS software and computing resources available at the AIC.

Bringing Philosophy and Ethics to Science

 

Planning Your Visit

We provide these cross-curricular, state standards-based educational programs year-round! Plan a day trip or take advantage of our housing and dining facilities and create a multi-day residential experience at our Newcomb Campus.

We charge a fee of $100 per hour of your program, which is flexible to accommodate your group's needs. Please contact us at aic@esf.edu or 518.582.2000 to explore educational program opportunities and discuss the details of your visit.

Can't come to us? We'll visit your classroom!

Our staff are available to travel to your school and provide programming onsite. This is a perfect solution if you are looking for a series of programs – we can regularly visit to allow in-depth exploration of a chosen subject. It also removes the sometimes taxing logistics of transporting your class to our facilities if you have a limited schedule or budget.

Past examples include:

  • FlyWays Program at Newcomb Central School – Working with the 6th grade Spanish class, lessons connected the Spanish language to the natural history of birds whose migration patterns include Spanish-speaking countries. Weekly, our staff would visit the class and explore the description and behavior of these birds while expanding the students' Spanish vocabulary to include relevant terms.