Environmental Science Travels

We come to your classroom or meet you in the field!
With our complete experiential science learning programs, which may include (but not limited to) microscopes, nets, hand lenses, pH tests, soil, and even worms, we will deliver our award winning programs where it works best!
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In Your Classroom | Outdoor Off-Site Programs, Learning form the Land
Scheduling, Registration & Downloadable Brochure
Important Information
Adherence to CA Content Standards (opens new window)

Be sure and visit the Just for Teacher's page for information on
grants, scholarships and more!

In your Classroom

When you can't go on a field tip to Placer Nature Center because of weather or transportation - we come to you! Two types of programs are available:

Environmental Science Travels (EST)
Each program begins with a group introduction to the theme. Children then rotate through three hands-on, interactive stations where they engage in activities designed to enhance and reinforce theme concepts.

If you were looking for field trips to Placer Nature Center visit the field trips page.

Wings: Birds, Bats, and Bugs
2nd to 6th Grade • 1-¼ hour
This program focuses on the adaptations of these winged creatures. Feathers, bat puppets and plastic bugs are all used to create an understanding of the adaptation concept in a fun interactive format.

Natural Resource Conservation
2nd to 6th Grade • 1-¼ hour
From composting to recycling there's much we can do to reduce our solid waste stream to the landfill. This program educates on the how and why we each must do our part in using the 3 R's everyday!

Food Chains
2nd to 6th Grade • 1-¼ hour
This program stresses the interrelationships found in the local ecosystem. From bugs to mountain lions and aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems, the children will gain a solid understanding of the web of life.

Waterworks
2nd to 6th Grade • 1-¼ hour
This program introduces the children to the concept of watershed. What is their watershed address? How does water move through it? What living things are dependent on the watershed? Children explore the answers to these questions and more, through investigation of watershed-related activities and terminology; and includes activities that explore water conservation.

Field Studies
2nd to 6th Grade • 1-¼ hour
Nature is everywhere! Using hand lenses, binoculars, and collection nets to investigate the plants, birds and insects around the school yard, students discover that the wonders of the natural world surround them every day, right where they live.

Smart Energy Choices
6th to 8th Grade • 50 to 75 minutes, adapted to your school schedule
After an informal introduction about the energy demands and environmental impacts created by student behaviors and purchases, interactive activities show how energy concepts are related to everyday products and inspire students to consider choices they can make to practice conservation.

Environmental Science Travels Program Fees:

Science & Stewardship in the Schoolyard
Engage students in direct experience with their local environment! Hands-on learning supports science concepts actively while connecting 4th and 5th grade students with a stewardship project in the schoolyard. The program is made up of three sessions, each one hour long, and you can choose consecutive days or once a week for three weeks. Students use the schoolyard as an outdoor laboratory!
Download a flyer to print and share!

Exploring Life in the Schoolyard
4th Grade • 3 sessions of 1+ hours each
* Session 1 *
Students learn about abiotic (non-living) supporters of life, and investigate soil quality and soil erosion on school grounds.
* Session 2 *
Students explore the plants and animal activity on school grounds, recording observations.
* Session 3 *
Students conduct a decomposer scavenger hunt, and create a classroom worm bin and/or other related stewardship project.

Ecosystem Investigations
5th Grade • 3 sessions of 1+ hours each
* Session 1 *
Students learn what composes an ecosystem and the role of the producers. The class proposes a hypothesis that they can test in the field to help them define a healthy vs an unhealthy ecosystem. They split into 6 groups (birds, insects, plants, fungus, animal tracks and signs) and examine the unhealthy schoolyard section in their schoolyard.
* Session 2 *
Students continue their surveys in the healthy ecosystem – same groups
* Session 3 *
Students present their findings to whole class. And do their stewardship project.

Science & Stewardship in the Schoolyard Program Fees:

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In Your Classroom | Outdoor Off-Site Programs
Scheduling, Registration & Downloadable Brochure
Important Information
Adherence to CA Content Standards (opens new window)

Be sure and visit the Just for Teacher's page for information on grants, scholarships and more!

Outdoor Off-Site Programs

Learning from the Land
5th to 8th Grade • 5 hours
A full day of investigations and observations at Traylor Ranch Nature Reserve and Bird Sanctuary in Penryn. A one hour pre-visit classroom orientation by Placer Nature Center staff prepares students for a day on the land. Once on-site, PNC staff will guide students in small groups through three inquiry-based discovery stations that explore stream and grassland ecology and the cultural history of the land. After a lunch break, students come together to perform a riparian restoration project and then end the day with a reflective writing activity. Offered during Fall and Spring. Maximum 60 students per day.
Fees: $10 per student, minimum $200

Custom Field Courses
7th to 12th Grade,GATE Classes, Home-school Programs • 2 to 3 hours
Outdoor enrichment classes that use the environment to engage students in scientific learning. A range of special interest topics are offered throughout the year at locations throughout Placer and Nevada counties. All are taught by experts in the field of study or Placer Nature Center staff. Contact us with your special interests and we will tailor a field studies program to meet your needs.
Fees: Variable

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In Your Classroom | Outdoor Off-Site Programs
Scheduling, Registration & Downloadable Brochure
Important Information
Adherence to CA Content Standards (opens new window)

Be sure and visit the Just for Teacher's page for information on grants, scholarships and more!

Scheduling & Registration

How to Schedule a Program
Fill in the Registration Form (Program brochure and registration form below). Reservations are accepted on a first come first serve basis. Please be sure to fill-in the whole form, including all contact information and preferred dates and program information. Once complete, please submit Registration Form by:

Mail to:
Placer Nature Center
3700 Christian Valley Road
Auburn, CA 95602

Fax to: (530) 878-4940

If you have questions, please call (530) 878-6053 or email linda@placernaturecenter.orgStaff members are usually available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or you may leave a message and we will return your call.

After your Registration Form is received you will receive a call or email to confirm the date and time of your field trip or off-site visit. Please submit any required deposits within the time frame outlined in the program description.

Two weeks before your scheduled program, we will mail you pre-visit information and preparation activities, a summary of the program, and post-visit follow-up activities for your classroom.

Download:

School Program Information Brochure

Registration Form

Get Adobe Acrobat Reader for free.If the files will not open for you, then you will need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader. It is a free program.

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In Your Classroom | Outdoor Off-Site Programs
Scheduling, Registration & Downloadable Brochure
Important Information
Adherence to CA Content Standards (opens new window)

Be sure and visit the Just for Teacher's page for information on grants, scholarships and more!

Important Information

Directions: For directions click here. Parking is available for buses and cars.

Group Size: Natural and Cultural History Programs and Learning from the Land are limited to 70 students per day. WaterShed Learning and Environmental Science Travels programs are limited to 40 students at a time. It is helpful if you organize your class into groups of 10 to 12 students each for field trips to Placer Nature Center and into three separate groups for Learning from the Land and Environmental Science Travels off-site programs.

Special Needs: Please inform us of any special-needs students in your class. Our Exhibit Halls, Discovery Room and bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. We have a separate special-needs nature trail, too. There is designated handicap parking closer to the buildings for those arriving by car.

Payment: A payment envelope is sent with your pre-visit packet. Please be sure it is filled out and ready upon arrival. Payment must be exact for the number of students receiving the program, as changes cannot be made after registration. Please submit one check per program. A minimum of 15 days notice is required for cancellation (30 days for Wild Things Extension Option). Extension Option deposits are non-refundable.

Weather: Programs are delivered rain or shine unless conditions are hazardous, in which case the program will be rescheduled. Please make sure students dress appropriately for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes appropriate for walking the trail.

Snacks/Lunch: Our programs do not allow for a snack time during the program. Please plan accordingly. Also please note there is no garbage service at Traylor Ranch and you will be required to take any trash back with you.

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In Your Classroom | Outdoor Off-Site Programs
Scheduling, Registration & Downloadable Brochure
Important Information
Adherence to CA Content Standards (opens new window)

Be sure and visit the Just for Teacher's page for information on grants, scholarships and more!