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Grades: K-3
Number of students: 15 - 100 (larger groups can be accommodated)
Time: 2-3 hours
Costs: $10/student
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What was your earliest nature experience? Creeks, Creatures & Canopies (CCC) is a series of activities that provides K-3 students opportunities to learn about nature through participatory experiences in forests, wetlands, and estuaries.
After participating in the activities and learning basic ecological concepts, students can see these concepts "in action" in the forest and marsh at SERC. The activities and materials offered in this program help students explore the environment in a more directed, educational way.
All activities in Creeks, Creatures & Canopies are interdisciplinary and correspond with classroom curricula for grades K-3 in the Maryland Public School System.
How it works | Content standards |Â Typical Scenario
| Activity Guide | Scheduling | Preparation |
How it works
Teachers select 2 - 6 activities in the Creeks, Creatures & Canopies program and arrange for trained parents and chaperons to lead sessions.
The activities are:
- Paws and Claws
- Beaks and Feet
- Bee Bop
- Wonders Down Under
- Oyster Fun
- Trees and Me
- Find Your Family
- Oh Deer
- Scavenger Hunt
- Find Your Gum Ball
- Animals on Parade
The total number of students can vary from 15-100. Each activity is limited to 20 students and takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
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Content standards
Maryland Science Indicators:
1.0 Skills & Processes: 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.4, 1.3.5, 1.3.6,
1.3.15, 1.3.16
3.0 Life Science: 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.6, 3.3.8, 3.3.9, 3.3.12
4.0 Chemistry: 4.3.1, 4.3.5
6.0 Environmental: 6.3.2, 6.3.4, 6.3.5
Virginia Science Indicators:
Scientific Investigation: K.1, K.2, 1.1, 2.1, 3.1
Life Processes: K.6, 1.4, 1.5, 2.4, 3.4
Living Systems: 2.5, 3.5, 3.6
Earth Patterns: K.8, 1.8, 2.8
Resources: K.10
A typical scenario
A typical scenario for a CCC program is as follows:
- Teacher selects four activities, attends a pre-visit to SERC, and confirms reservation for field trip.
- Teacher assigns parents or chaperons to an activity and supplies the information so they can prepare to lead the students in this activity.
- On the designated date, students arrive at SERC sometime between 9:30 - 10:00. SERC staff and volunteers will greet the group and introduce them to the activities of the day.
- After the orientation, the teacher divides the class into four groups. The parents or chaperons each take a group and guide students through the activity for which they have prepared.
- Students rotate from one activity to the next. The field trip lasts two hours (four rotations, 30 minutes each).
- After the field trip, the group has lunch at SERC. The bus departs at 1.00pm.
There is flexibility in this program, so please contact the Education Department to discuss a schedule that works for you.
Activity guide
To learn more about this program or prepare for your visit, read the Creeks, Creatures & Canopies Guide (pdf), which includes information on how to schedule your trip, guidelines for teachers and parents, a map, and descriptions of the activities.
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Scheduling
To schedule a field trip, contact Jane Holly at SERC's Education Department for available dates or use our "request for registration" form. After we receive the form, education staff will contact you to discuss dates and confirm your field trip.
First-time teachers to SERC must make reservations after August 1 for the coming year; returning teachers may make reservations up to one year in advance. First-time teachers are also required to attend a pre-visit to SERC where they will receive program materials and instructions.
Costs
Creeks, Creatures & Canopies is $10.00 per student. Please pay when you arrive. Parents and teachers are free.
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Be prepared
Teachers or leaders should bring at least one extra parent or chaperon for each activity. So if you choose five activities, bring five parents who know in advance what activity they are responsible for.
Note that a pre-visit to SERC is required for new teachers.
