Spring & Fall Field Trips
Animal Adaptations: Shaped by their Environment Delve into the amazing adaptations of the creatures of Vermont with our animal adaptations field trip. VINS’ educators will guide students through exciting, hands-on, inquiry based activities that explore how each animal is uniquely adapted to its ecosystem. Students will not only discover for themselves incredible facts about animal adaptations but will also gain a deeper understanding of how ecosystems have literally shaped each animal. Learn More or Book Now Geology Hike: Explore Vermont's Little Grand Canyon The Quechee Gorge, “Vermont’s little Grand Canyon,” serves as the outdoor classroom for an investigation into our geologic past. Join VINS investigators to examine the evidence of our changing earth. Uncover the story of how glaciers, rivers, humans, and more have shaped the local landscape and examine rocks to unearth clues that tell an intriguing story. This lesson includes a hike down into the gorge over moderately steep and rocky terrain. Learn More or Book Now Home Sweet Habitat Every animal needs a habitat, but not all habitats are the same. Explore the diverse ecosystems of the VINS Nature Center and discover how animals make their homes in the forest, field and river's edge. VINS educators guide students through an in depth exploration of an animal's habitat, and lead you through a first-hand habitat trek to search for food, water, shelter, and space. Learn More or Book Now Plant Adaptations Animals aren’t the only ones who adapt to their environment--explore the incredible world of plant adaptations! Students will learn through interactive, outdoor activities about the often overlooked but fascinating ways the plants around us survive and thrive. From seeds that migrate huge distances to their new homes, to flowers that attract different pollinators by color--come to VINS to see these super plant powers first hand. VINS’ educators provide expert guidance to help students discover for themselves the complex relationship of plants and the natural world. Learn More or Book Now Winter Field Trips
***New for the 2017-2018 School Year!*** Owls in Winter From the frozen tundra to the snow covered forests of Vermont, owls have amazing adaptations for survival in the winter. The eight species of owls that call Vermont home during the coldest months of the year are well equipped to deal with the bone-chilling cold and some species even begin their nesting season in February! Through hands-on inquiry, observation and place-based education, students will delve into the world of owl adaptations and learn just how these amazing predators thrive in a frozen world. Learn More or Book Now Animal Adaptations: Animals in Winter Delve into the amazing winter adaptations of the creatures of Vermont with our animal adaptations field trip. VINS’ educators will guide students through exciting, hands-on, inquiry based activities that explore how each animal is uniquely adapted to its ecosystem during the winter months. Students will not only discover for themselves incredible facts about animal adaptations but will also gain a deeper understanding of how ecosystems have literally shaped each animal. Learn More or Book Now Animal Signs Follow the footsteps of the creatures of Vermont in winter by jumping into their shoes! Learn what an animal track can tell you including where it’s been, what it’s been doing, and where it’s going. VINS’ educators will guide students through exciting, hands-on, inquiry-based activities that explore how the signs that are left behind in the snow can tell a story about each animal. VINS’ educators will reveal some mysteries about the secretive world of wild creatures that was once a closed storybook. Learn More or Book Now A Sense of Direction Have you ever been lost, your phone did not have a signal and wished you could use a map and compass to help find your way home? In this field trip, students will be taught the basics of orienteering. VINS educators will teach students how to use a compass and engage them in an activity that takes them on a scavenger hunt around VINS using their newly honed skills! Students will take a journey which allows them to explore the winter habitat of Vermont life. Learn More or Book Now Home Sweet Habitat: Snug in the Snow Every animal needs a habitat, but what happens in the depths of winter? Explore the diverse ecosystems of the VINS Nature Center and discover how and where animals make their homes in the forest, field and river's edge during the cold winter days. VINS educators guide students through an in depth exploration of an animal's habitat, and lead you through a first-hand habitat trek to search for food, water, shelter, and space. Learn More or Book Now Year-Round Field Trips
***New for the 2017-2018 School Year!*** Falcon Focus Get up close and personal with some of the fiercest predators of the sky: falcons! During this field trip, your class will examine the adaptations that shape the fastest, most agile predators in the world. We will identify the similarities and differences between falcons and other raptors through close observation of biofacts and live animal encounters. We will also delve into conservation concerns for these birds: how human interference has hindered their populations, and current work being done to protect these powerful predators. Groups reading My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George are encouraged to participate in this field trip. Learn More or Book Now Birds Are Dinosaurs Embark on a journey through 250 million years to explore the evolution of birds from theropod dinosaurs, with VINS as your guide. Students will discover the amazing adaptations that emerged to make birds what they are today. Learn how animals change over time, why some don’t survive while others thrive, and come face to face with a living dinosaur. Your perception of the chickadee will be changed forever. Learn More or Book Now ***New for the 2017-2018 School Year!*** Energy In Ecosystems “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else…” - John Muir. Come explore the links in a food chain, while learning about the flow of energy from the sun to the top predators in New England’s forests. Your students will gain hands on experience designing and building a stable ecosystem, then watch how diversity prevents disaster. They will be able to describe why having a balance of consumers and producers benefits all species, and even have a chance to meet a live scavenger! Learn More or Book Now ***New for the 2017-2018 School Year!*** StarLab Let the VINS campus become your launchpad to the cosmos with our new StarLab field trip offerings. VINS’ educators will facilitate engaging, inquiry based activities leading your students on a journey through the stars. Our tour of the stars will begin with the many familiar and unfamiliar figures that compose the clearest night sky. From investigating individual celestial bodies, we will then look into many ways that cultures around the world have related them to one another. This exciting new teaching tool will allow us to explore a wide range of topics, as we have four different presentations to choose from. Learn More or Book Now |
Explore VINS - Self Guided
If a guided lesson doesn't work for your group, consider the exploring the VINS Nature Center on your own! Hike our nature trails, learn about our resident birds, and go on a scavenger hunt as you explore the enclosures. Visit the ‘Birds are Dinosaurs’ and our brand new Forest exhibits . Venture into the meadow and explore the hundreds of wildflowers that flourish there. Attend a public raptor program or register ahead for special animal encounters.
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