Discover how people and nature can thrive together on a field trip to the Adirondacks. Students will explore the natural world, learn about conservation, and be inspired to act for a sustainable future. Unique knowledge about the wild outdoors is abundant on self-guided tours, animal encounters, and interactive programs that bring the classroom to life. Fill your classroom with the appreciation of nature with new experiences, education, and excitement at every corner.
Self-guided tours around The Wild Center are the perfect opportunity for the classroom to learn the history and appreciation that the center holds for environmental awareness. Educational tours at The Wild Center are designed to align with science and environmental education standards, teaching students about topics such as climate change, biodiversity, ecosystems, and sustainability. Led by knowledgeable naturalists, these tours encourage inquiry-based learning and critical thinking. Students learn how local wildlife and plant life interact, how climate affects the region, and what actions they can take to help protect the environment. The Wild Center helps students see how people and the natural world can thrive together through engaging exhibits and meaningful connections with nature.
The Wild Center offers various engaging Wild Classroom Workshops for grades K through college, designed to align with science standards and immerse students in hands-on learning. Programs include Wildlife Defenses for younger students to explore animal adaptations, Creatures on Climate Change for older students to examine climate impacts on local wildlife, and Naturalist Walks that guide students through the Adirondack ecosystem. Additional offerings like Green Technologies Walks showcase the Center’s sustainable practices, while Private Animal Encounters give students an up-close experience with native species. These workshops promote critical thinking and environmental awareness in an interactive, nature-based setting.
Virtual learning is also provided under the Wild Centers curriculum, offering an abundance of tools and practicums for educators to bring the magic and beauty of nature to the classroom. The Wild Center’s virtual field trips offer 30-minute, curriculum-based science programs for all ages via Zoom or Google Meet. One featured program, River Otter Ecology, explores the unique adaptations and natural history of North American river otters, including a live animal encounter. These interactive experiences help blend different science standards and bring the wonders of the Adirondacks directly to the classroom, regardless of location.
The Wild Center additionally offers live cams that let students virtually connect with the Adirondacks in real time. The Wild Center Campus cam provides views of the museum grounds and surrounding natural beauty, Otter Falls cam offers a chance to watch playful otters in their habitat, and the Whiteface Summit cam streams stunning views from one of the region’s highest peaks. These cams are a fantastic virtual learning tool for observing wildlife, weather, and seasonal changes.
Experience the Wild Center’s dynamic approach to environmental education through hands-on exhibits, up-close wildlife encounters, and immersive virtual programs that bring the wonders of nature directly into your classroom. Take a ride on the wild side!
