School Programs & Resources

Fields Pond Intern Amanda Ives with campers

Maine Audubon delivers a variety of nature-themed programs for kids in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Our educators work with teachers and community leaders to adapt our popular, standards-based Pre-K to 12 programs to the current demands and realities of teaching and learning–including virtual, hybrid, and modified in-person options.

Maine Audubon’s mission involves engaging people, especially youth, in conserving wildlife and wildlife habitat. Partnering with schools, enrichment programs, and community groups has been a core program line for the organization for decades. We specialize in outdoor/experiential learning, NGSS standards, multi-disciplinary curricula, and inspiring a culture of social and environmental responsibility.

We are excited to share our experience and resources to help your students achieve and thrive in these challenging times! We will partner with you to design and deliver customized programming/curriculum for your school or community group. Together, we can adapt our signature programs, community science field studies, or service learning projects to enrich your current units of study.

Content and Curriculum Units by grade offered by our educators

Ask about our custom-designed programs, sliding price scale, and grant-funded programming.

Greater Portland/Southern Maine Area

Early Childhood/Pre-K 
(These themes align with PreK for ME Outdoor Learning topics in Units 1&2)
Five* senses: Sensory exploration is fun and foundational to nature study! Use your senses of touch, smell, sight, and hearing to learn more about the world around you. (*sorry, no tasting!)
Insects, worms, and slugs: Find, observe, and practice sorting and identifying “bugs,” then get creative with some bug art, web building, and more.
Trees, fall leaves, & seed dispersal: Explore shape, color, and math concepts with fallen leaves, and learn about the many ways that seeds move!
Animals getting ready for winter: What is the wildlife in your neighborhood up to right now? Learn about winter survival strategies and wildlife behavior through both observation and dramatic play.

Grades K-2
Animal adaptations
Habitats of Maine
Seasonal changes
Plant and animal relationships

Grades 3-5
Plant and animal adaptations to environmental factors
Animal life cycles similarities and differences
How energy and matter move through an ecosystem
Using Community (Citizen) Science to solve real world problems

Middle+

(coming soon)

 Greater Bangor Area

Grades K-2
Animal adaptations
Habitats of Maine
Seasonal changes
Plant and animal relationships

Grades 3-5
Plant and animal adaptations to environmental factors
Animal life cycles similarities and differences
How energy and matter move through an ecosystem
Using Community (Citizen) Science to solve real world problems
Secrets of the Forest
Stream Explorers
Winter Ecology

Middle School
Secrets of the Forest
Stream Explorers
Winter Ecology

High School
Forestry for Maine Birds
Lake Stewards
Stream Explorers
Winter Ecology

Please submit the School Program Request Form to inquire about educational programming at Gilsland Farm or Scarborough Marsh Audubon Centers (Greater Portland).

Workshops and Trainings

Maine Audubon educators can also provide trainings to help your school or organization build programming and instructional capacity. Please reach out to discuss which workshop topics might be helpful to your team. More information…

Examples of workshops include:

  • How to bring learning outdoors
  • Designing instruction for outdoor learning on remote days
  • Ways to incorporate authentic STEM learning outdoors
  • Community (Citizen) Science
  • Introduction to curriculum guides (eg., Project WILD and Junior Duck Stamp)
  • Custom designed workshops for your school

 

For more information or to schedule a program, contact:

Emma Palmer, Education Program Coordinator, Gilsland Farm (Falmouth/Greater Portland)
epalmer@maineaudubon.org, 207.781.2330 x224

David Lamon, Manager, Fields Pond Audubon Center (Holden/Greater Bangor)
dlamon@maineaudubon.org, 207.989.2591