Sandy Hook Bird Observatory's education programs are designed to educate and enhance students' understanding of New Jersey's natural environment and ecology.  Our fun and informative programs run 45 minutes to one hour and are appropriate for single classes or up to 30 students at one time.  Special arrangements can be made for assembly programs, larger groups, and after-school presentations.  All programs are designed for elementary school children; they include expert commentary, hands-on experiences for children and accompanying adults, and slides upon request.

Classroom presentations are $125.00.   Guided field trips at Sandy Hook are $50 - 100.00, depending on the size of the group and the duration of the walk.  For more information, contact Scott Barnes at (732) 872-2500 or by email to  scott.barnes at njaudubon.org.
 

CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS:

Birds have special features that separate them from other types of animals, but birds are also very different amongst themselves.  Discover these differences, hear bird songs, and watch birds in their natural setting.

Owls are birds most of us seldom see.  Learn more about these nocturnal animals by using your senses of seeing, hearing, and feeling.

Who eats what? What invisible strands entwine all plants and animals in these things called food webs? Learn about terrestrial and aquatic food chains with exciting and fun activities.

Bones tell us a lot about an animal and its habits.  In this activity, the children become scientists and try to deduce what type of animal skull they have been given using a variety of clues.  We also examine other animal artifacts and discuss their significance.

Bats, owl, frogs, and foxes are just some of the nocturnal animals we will discuss in this enlightening program that includes the sounds of many nighttime creatures.

FIELD TRIPS:

Field trips to the Center are available by special arrangement.  The Sandy Hook Bird Observatory has active bird feeders, an excellent butterfly garden, a museum with mounted specimens of New Jersey wildlife, and a nature bookstore and gift shop.  Call (732) 872-2500 for more details.

Birds have special features that separate them from other types of animals, but birds are also very different amongst themselves.  Discover these differences, hear bird songs, and watch birds in their natural setting.

Who eats what?  What invisible strands entwine all plants and animals in these things called food webs? Learn about terrestrial and aquatic food chains with exciting and fun activities.

Our world is full of color.  People use it to enhance and beautify their own environment.  Learn about the color spectrum in our natural world by looking at plants and animals found in and around the nature center or schoolyard.

Plants can be identified by their flowers and by their leaves.  Different leaves have different structures that enable us to separate them and identify the habitat of which they are a part.  Leaves are also important for photosynthesis.  Students will describe and classify leaves and learn about the animals that use them.

Probably New Jersey's best known butterfly, the Monarch wings its way south in September, headed for its wintering ground in Mexico.  Learn about this incredible migration and look for Monarchs and other butterflies in our garden.