The Visiting Naturalist in the Schools Program engages over 600 4th and 5th grade students in ecology, biology, life sciences, earth sciences and natural history each year. Through experiential inquiry-based field trips and monthly classroom visits, students connect concepts learned in science to processes and cycles in our natural environment
We use naturalists to promote science learning, as well as the valuable life-skills they model.
What is a Naturalist
- Naturalists are Scientists
Observing the world around them
Exploring with tools, which aid in observation and discovery
Experimenting through the inquiry process - Naturalists are Writers
Recording observations in a journal
Communicating results of inquiry
Practicing language arts in an authentic context - Naturalists are Artists
Drawing maps of the land
Presenting discoveries in a creative manner
Celebrating our home through a sense of place
The Visiting Naturalist in the Schools Program includes:
- Monthly Naturalist visits into the classroom for hands-on activities in science and natural history
- Full day field trips in October and May that bring students into the field for exploration of their local natural areas
- Each participating School receives a resource trunk full of teaching supplies, equipment, and resource guides for use by VNS classrooms throughout the year
- One full day of professional development for participating teachers centered on the themes of the VNS program
- Substitute reimbursement pay for professional development day at MNHC
Comments from Participating Teachers:
• I wanted to thank you for such a great year. This has been such an awesome opportunity for the students to really become naturalists and learn about stewardship of our lands and water.
Thanks so much for all you did.
• The program provides exposure to natural settings and blends class work with field work.
• Excellent! Helps the students see real life application for what they are learning.
• The VNS program creates interest and excitement in the world around us—promotes observation skills which is the foundation for exploration.
• It meets many of the science and weather goals and adds depth and breadth to our science instruction.
Comments from Students:
“I liked the silent walk. I think people should stop and look around when they are in the woods.” 4th grader
“Nature is cool!” 4th grader
Program Registration
Schools pay 10% of the program cost, or $200 per classroom. The classroom fee does not include bus transportation for field trips. MNHC offers scholarships for classrooms that are unable to make room in their budget for this fee. Please contact us if you would like more information about this program.
