Environmental Education School Programs

Photo by Gary Glassman

Take advantage of the beautiful natural resources offered at Washington Crossing Historic Park through a memorable environmental education experience.

Programs are available for students in grades K-8 and are aligned with PDE and Next Generation Science standards.

All programs are free of charge and can be conducted at the park or at your school.

Programs for Grades K-4

  • Animal Traces: Students discover animal tracks, food, homes, and scat in soil, forest, and water. Discussion centers on why animals choose specific areas for their homes.
  • Natural Habitats: Students learn about what living things need to survive, and the different types of habitats found in the park.
  • Seasonal Changes: Students examine the environment for signs that show how changing seasons affect plants and animals and how plants and animals prepare for the different seasons.
  • Exploring Freshwater Communities: Students study a stream or pond, and the associated plant and animal life, as they learn how energy is passed from one living thing to the next.
  • Caring for Resources: Students explore how we use natural resources, and how we can protect them from overuse.

Programs for Grades 5-8

  • Energy in the Environment: Students learn how energy flows through the environment, focusing on food webs and nutrient cycling. Program may include owl pellet dissection upon request.
  • Watershed Study: Students learn about our local watershed, and conduct a stream study at Pidcock Creek. Stream study can include physical, chemical, and/or biological surveys.
  • Protecting Natural Resources: Students explore how humans impact the natural environment and what can be done to reduce our impact.
  • Forest Community Profile: Students study the plants and animal members of a forest community, discuss the roles in the forest community, and compare the forest community to a human community. Students learn why biodiversity is important in an ecosystem.
  • Animal Adaptations: Students discover the features that allow animals to avoid predators, catch prey, attract mates, survive seasonal changes, and otherwise adapt to their environment.
  • Alternative Energy: Students explore the pros and cons of different renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and demonstrate how some of these technologies work.

Your experience will be tailored to meet your needs; if none of the topics listed here fit your curriculum, we will be happy to design another program for you.

For more information or to schedule a program, please email Katie Scott, Environmental Education Specialist at katscott@pa.gov or call 215-493-4076.