The Fields Pond Audubon Center offers students a variety of hands-on environmental science experiences leading to ecological understanding and enhanced connections with the natural world. Our programs incorporate community science and field experiences that help students recognize their connections to the natural world, helping them to become more informed and engaged.
See information about our school programs below. All schools are required to call ahead of a visit. All school groups of 25 or more must be accompanied by a Fields Pond guided program to utilize the space. Please reach out to us at fieldspond@maineaudubon.org or 207.989.2591 to discuss with a team member.
On a visit to Fields Pond, students will deepen their knowledge of Maine wildlife and habitat. Students will explore plant and animal life cycles, interrelationships, and biological events influenced by the changing of seasons. Some programs can be done off-site, please call for more information.
Some specific programs we offer are listed below. We are also happy to customize a program to make the content relevant to your specific curriculum needs as related to animal adaptations, phenology, interrelationships, stream/pond ecology, winter ecology, birding/bird migration, community science & stewardship and more. Please indicate on the inquiry form any topics and vocabulary that you would like for us to highlight and incorporate.
Secrets of the Forest (Fall & Spring)
In addition to being home to 50,000+ species, Maine forests are baby bird factories! Students step into the shoes of foresters to determine forest type and habitat suitability for critical bird species. (Grades: 4+)
Watershed Stewards (Fall & Spring)
Engage your students in your local watershed through STEM-based activities both indoors and out in this highly adaptable spring program. (all grade levels)
Magic Pools (Spring)
Captivate your students through hands-on exploration of the diversity of vernal pools, focusing on amphibian life cycle and macroinvertebrates. (Grades: K-8)
Stream Explorers (Fall & Spring)
Transform your class into community scientists collecting environmental monitoring data in the form of bioindicators for Maine’s DEP with this popular hands-on experience. (Grades: 4+)
Spring Bird Migration (Spring)
Maine is a migration superhighway! Engage your students through guided observation, Motus tracking technology, and real-time data to unlock the mysteries of migration! (all grade levels)
Winter Tracking (Winter)
Think all Maine’s animals are hibernating for the winter? Think again! Students learn first hand how to identify animal tracks and discover just who has been prowling around in the snow and mud. (all grade levels)
Surviving a Maine Winter (Winter)
Did you know Maine only has 3 true hibernators? Students join us for a day of discovery as we explore the incredible adaptations of our local flora and fauna to survive a harsh winter. (all grade levels)
Resident Winter Birds (Winter)
Ever wonder why some birds migrate for the winter and some stick around? Transform your students into citizen scientists as they identify and count winter birds while learning how they survive and call Maine home all year long. (all grade levels)
Snow Science (Winter)
Not all snow is created equal! Students glove up and dive into hands on chilly experiments to uncover the beauty and mystery of snow. (K-8)
All of our programs aim to be experiential and inquiry-based, incorporate Next Generation Science Standards, and be culturally responsive. We recognize that students have varying levels of comfort outdoors, and we want to inspire joy and respect for the environment and all wildlife.
Program Structure/Group Size
The majority of programming will be held outdoors, so students should come dressed and prepared to learn outside. Student groups are welcome to stay for lunch and will be given a designated picnic space. Bathrooms are available on site, but students are encouraged to use the bathroom before arriving at Fields Pond to maximize learning time.
Programs are typically 90-120 minutes long, depending on the program. We can serve approximately 40 students on a field trip, with one school staff/volunteer present for the duration of the program for every 12-15 students. Please contact us in advance if your group requires additional chaperones. Schools are welcome to come over multiple days.
Pricing
10-15 students: $120
16-25 students: $180
26-40 students: $240
For more information or to schedule a program, please fill our our inquiry form here.
On a visit to Fields Pond, students will deepen their knowledge of Maine wildlife and habitat. Students will explore plant and animal life cycles, interrelationships, and biological events influenced by the changing of seasons. Some programs can be done off-site, please call for more information.
Some specific programs we offer are listed below. We are also happy to customize a program to make the content relevant to your specific curriculum needs as related to animal adaptations, phenology, interrelationships, stream/pond ecology, winter ecology, birding/bird migration, community science & stewardship and more. Please indicate on the inquiry form any topics and vocabulary that you would like for us to highlight and incorporate.
Secrets of the Forest (Fall & Spring)
In addition to being home to 50,000+ species, Maine forests are baby bird factories! Students step into the shoes of foresters to determine forest type and habitat suitability for critical bird species. (Grades: 4+)
Watershed Stewards (Fall & Spring)
Engage your students in your local watershed through STEM-based activities both indoors and out in this highly adaptable spring program. (all grade levels)
Magic Pools (Spring)
Captivate your students through hands-on exploration of the diversity of vernal pools, focusing on amphibian life cycle and macroinvertebrates. (Grades: K-8)
Stream Explorers (Fall & Spring)
Transform your class into community scientists collecting environmental monitoring data in the form of bioindicators for Maine’s DEP with this popular hands-on experience. (Grades: 4+)
Spring Bird Migration (Spring)
Maine is a migration superhighway! Engage your students through guided observation, Motus tracking technology, and real-time data to unlock the mysteries of migration! (all grade levels)
Winter Tracking (Winter)
Think all Maine’s animals are hibernating for the winter? Think again! Students learn first hand how to identify animal tracks and discover just who has been prowling around in the snow and mud. (all grade levels)
Surviving a Maine Winter (Winter)
Did you know Maine only has 3 true hibernators? Students join us for a day of discovery as we explore the incredible adaptations of our local flora and fauna to survive a harsh winter. (all grade levels)
Resident Winter Birds (Winter)
Ever wonder why some birds migrate for the winter and some stick around? Transform your students into citizen scientists as they identify and count winter birds while learning how they survive and call Maine home all year long. (all grade levels)
Snow Science (Winter)
Not all snow is created equal! Students glove up and dive into hands on chilly experiments to uncover the beauty and mystery of snow. (K-8)
All of our programs aim to be experiential and inquiry-based, incorporate Next Generation Science Standards, and be culturally responsive. We recognize that students have varying levels of comfort outdoors, and we want to inspire joy and respect for the environment and all wildlife.
Program Structure/Group Size
The majority of programming will be held outdoors, so students should come dressed and prepared to learn outside. Student groups are welcome to stay for lunch and will be given a designated picnic space. Bathrooms are available on site, but students are encouraged to use the bathroom before arriving at Fields Pond to maximize learning time.
Programs are typically 90-120 minutes long, depending on the program. We can serve approximately 40 students on a field trip, with one school staff/volunteer present for the duration of the program for every 12-15 students. Please contact us in advance if your group requires additional chaperones. Schools are welcome to come over multiple days.
Pricing
10-15 students: $120
16-25 students: $180
26-40 students: $240
On a visit to Fields Pond, students will deepen their knowledge of Maine wildlife, habitat, and the interrelationships between humans and the environment. While at Fields Pond, students will engage in scientific inquiry; using tools, collecting data, making observations and predictions. Some programs can be done off-site, please call for more information.
Programs at the high school level can be customized to meet the needs of student’s curriculum, but we do offer several options for field experiences, which include:
Lake Stewards (Fall & Spring)
In this unique program, students work as members of a research team, exploring Fields Pond from stabilized canoes to collect water quality data to develop an ongoing profile of the pond ecosystem. (Grades 8-12)
Secrets of the Forest (Fall & Spring)
In addition to being home to 50,000+ species, Maine forests are baby bird factories! Students step into the shoes of foresters to determine forest type and habitat suitability for critical bird species.
Spring Bird Migration (Spring)
Maine is a migration superhighway! Engage your students through guided observation, Motus tracking technology, and real-time data to unlock the mysteries of migration!
Winter Ecology (Winter)
Winter is Maine’s longest season and both humans and wildlife have adapted to surviving its challenges. This program explores both the physical and biological adaptations that are necessary for successful survival. Topics/skills covered include snow science, climate, animal adaptations, and snowshoeing (weather dependent).
Stream Explorers (Fall & Spring)
Transform your class into community scientists collecting environmental monitoring data in the form of bioindicators for Maine’s DEP with this popular hands-on experience.
Program Structure/Group Size
The majority of programming will be held outdoors, so students should come dressed and prepared to learn outside. Student groups are welcome to stay for lunch and will be given a designated picnic space. Bathrooms are available on site, but students are encouraged to use the bathroom before arriving at Fields Pond to maximize learning time.
Program length can be anywhere from 90 minutes to a full-day, depending on the program. We can serve approximately 24 students on a field trip, with one school staff/volunteer present for the duration of the program for every 12 students. Please contact us in advance if your group requires additional chaperones. Schools are welcome to come over multiple days.
Pricing
Pricing for high schools is dependent on the specific program and number of students participating. Please contact the Fields Pond Audubon Center staff directly for specific pricing questions.
Homeschool Naturalists at Fields Pond (Ages 6-14)
Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm
December 4 & 18, January 8 & 22, February 5 & 26
Register for full series or individual sessions here!
Maine Audubon offers a variety of programs that can travel to your school’s location. Please contact the center that is closest to your school site for more information.
Please read and distribute the Chaperone Information Sheet to your grownups.