School Programs
Our mission is to promote and enhance the knowledge, understanding, appreciation and protection of our natural resources. Our in-person and virtual school programs incorporate challenging and thought-provoking activities that enhance children’s natural curiosity about the world.
Our field trips are 60-90 minutes in duration with both an indoor and an outdoor element. We have several options to choose from which provide valuable hands-on, immersive learning experiences to students. Please remind your students to dress appropriately for the weather. Note that we have limited building capacity, so in most cases, group size is limited to 60 students.
Croydon Creek Nature Center also offers virtual science education programs that bring our center into your classroom virtually! Programs are designed to be 20-30 minutes in length and bring our dynamic naturalists to your students through your online portal. If none of our programs work for you or your curriculum, contact the nature center to discuss customized programs.
Cost
In-person field trips are $3/student for schools within Rockville city limits and $5/student for those outside of Rockville city limits. Inquire about discounts for Title I school groups. There is a minimum fee of $50 for all school programs.
Virtual programs are free to educational institutions!
Program inquiries can be made by calling 240-314-8770 or emailed to ccnc@rockvillemd.gov.
Current Programs
MBRA Jr
Age: Pre-K - 1st
In-Person Time Length: 60 min.
Virtual Time Length: 20 min.
Croydon Creek critters help your young zoologists learn about the animal kingdom. Students explore how to classify these creatures, discover their unique adaptations and meet a few of Croydon Creek’s animal ambassadors.
NGSS Standards: K-ESS3-3 1-LS3-1
MBRA
Grades: 2nd - 3rd
In-Person Time Length: 60 min.
Virtual Time Length: 20 min.
Help your young zoologists discover the animal kingdom. Students explore taxonomy by classifying some common Maryland creatures, investigate their unique adaptations and meet a few of Croydon Creek’s animal ambassadors.
NGSS Standards: 3-LS4-2
Seasons
Grades: Pre-K - K
In-Person Time Length: 60 min.
Virtual Time Length: 20 min.
Croydon Creek naturalists help your young scientists learn about how changing weather impacts our natural surroundings. Students use their observations of local weather, plants and animals to discuss the change of seasons.
NGSS Standards: K-ESS2-1
Weather the Impact
Grade: 3rd
In-Person Time Length: 90 min.
Virtual Time Length: 30 min.
Weather and climate are two different phenomena with major impacts on our lives. Explore the differences between what you expect (climate) and what actually happens (weather) while discovering ways that both shape our world.
NGSS Standards: 3-ESS2-1 3-ESS2-2
Habitat Explorers
Grade: Pre-K - K
In-Person Time Length: 60 min.
Virtual Time Length: 30 min.
All living things have the same basic needs: Food, water, shelter, and space. Our naturalists will introduce students to our animal ambassadors and help students learn how different plants and animals meet their basic needs.
NGSS Standards: K-LS1-1, K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3
Investigating Habitats
Grade: 2nd - 3rd
In-Person Time Length: 90 min.
Virtual Time Length: 30 min.
Each habitat has different features and is home to many different types of animals. Students will get to meet some of our animal ambassadors as they learn how animals are adapted to live in certain habitats.
NGSS Standards: 2-LS4-1, 3-LS4-3
Life Cycle Discoveries
Grade: 1st - 3rd
In-Person Time Length: 90 min.
Virtual Time Length: 30 min.
Explore the life cycles of common plants and animals to learn how growth and development can differ from species to species. Students will get to meet some of our animal ambassadors while learning about the stages and comparing the life cycles of Maryland flora and fauna.
NGSS Standards: 1-LS3-1, 3-LS1-1
Budding Botanists
Grade: K - 2nd
In-Person Time Length: 90 min.
What makes a plant green? Where do new plants come from? Why are plants important? Your group will learn all about form and function from our photosynthesizing friends. Students will conduct plant part dissections, record observations in their field journals, and journey outside to search for plants in their natural environment.
NGSS Standards: K-LS1-1; 1-LS1-1; 1-LS3-1; 2-LS2-2