School Programs, On & Off Site
ShareThis! "Until man duplicates a blade of grass, nature can laugh at his so-called scientific knowledge."
- Thomas Edison
We engage students in learning through real-world, hands-on experiences with a focus on environmental literacy, science and nature. All our programs are designed to meet the California Content Standards.
Learn
About the total environment to engage, encourage and inspire students. Hands-on nature investigations and learning helps develop the capacities for creativity, problem-solving, and emotional and intellectual development.
Understand
How humans interact with and are dependent on natural ecosystems. Students learn to connect their daily actions with the health of the world, which supports a feeling of personal responsibility and accountability which spills over into all aspects of students' education.
Develop
Critical-thinking skills to resolve important and pressing environmental concerns. All programs are aligned with the California State Science Standards (click to read more) and are presented by staff naturalists and trained volunteer docents who actively engage students using an interdisciplinary and interactive approach.
Get Started & Plan Your Visit!
Two types of programs are available to choose from:
- Field trips to Placer Nature Center for Preschool through High school.
Includes Natural & Cultural History and Watershed Programs using interactive activities in the Exhibit Halls, the garden, Maidu Village and during a nature trail hike. - Off-Site Programs (at your school or in the field) for Second to Eighth Grade.
The Great Outdoors (whether in the field or even in your own backyard!) becomes the classroom for interdisciplinary discovery and a special stewardship project to further the fun and learning. - Homeschool Programs for Second to Eighth Grade.
Fun, outdoor, hands-on classes to fulfill science curricula needs. Students, of all ages, enjoy the camaraderie of other homeschoolers while learning through our affordable, experiential programs.
Do you already know what you want?
Go directly to Scheduling & Registration to get started and reserve your field trip today!
Nature is dynamic-Make full use of the Seasons!
Each season brings new and exciting discoveries and learning opportunities in nature! In the Fall book Cultural & Natural History Program when we search for seeds and explore the changes in leaves. Follow-up in the Spring with a Watershed Learning Program when our streams are flowing and wildflowers color the landscape. Each program weaves learning through the natural environment, each student's personal responsibility for their own actions and meets California Content Standards.
Have You Taken the Stop Global Warming Pledge?
Download the Stop Global Warming Pledge and make it part of your annual curriculum. It’s a wonderful way for you to focus young minds and young habits on behaviors that support ecological sustainability – at home, in the classroom, the community and in the world! Read more about what your students can do!
Ever thought of having a friend in Africa?
Drawn by a spirit of adventure, Placer Nature Center (PNC) has established a partnership with the National Heritage Conservation Commission of Zambia (NHCC) to improve education and environmental awareness for children in beautiful Luangwa Valley. We invite all Placer County residents to join us in this exciting project. Under the auspices of NHCC, we will raise funds for Chipembele* Wildlife Education Centre (www.chipembele.org) and the Mfuwe Heritage Center.
We will also create friendships between Placer County children and the children of Mfuwe and the Luanga Valley, Zambia. Contact us for additional information on how to donate, get a pen pal and about specific funding objectives for the Centers.
*Chipembele means rhinoceros!