To Schedule a Hands-on Science Program, call 704-436-9048

We come to your site and provide several hands-on science activities and animals in every program.  All museum-based programs have a slide show presentation, hands-on artifacts, interactive educational displays and live animal demonstrations.  It's fun and educational for all ages. 

Preschool Animal Science Programs 

The following list of programs are suitable for preschools:  Animal Crackers, Reefs and Sharks, Insects, Reptiles, Bats and Sea Turtles (see listing below for general descriptions).  Special seasonal programs include Butterflies and Moths and Bat-O-Ween.  It's BIG fun for little hands!

We recommend half hour programs for preschoolers with scheduling 2 programs as a minimum of the same program.  For a richer nature experience, consider regularly scheduled visits of different programs at a special rate.  

Science Programs for Schools, Camps, Birthdays & Events

Over 20 Animal Science Programs to Choose From

1.  SEA TURTLES "Gentle Giants of  Sand and Sea"

Learn about the annual nesting ritual of this giant reptile of the dinosaur era.  Explore the triumphs and perils of this endangered animal as it meets challenges of the modern world. Observe endangered artifacts such as a Loggerhead skull, preserved hatchlings, eggs and artifacts from Olive Ridley, Hawksbills and Green sea turtles.  Meet the sea turtle's cousins and find out the differences of turtles that live in lakes, land and sea.   It's turtle terrific!

2.  SEA TURTLE NESTS  On The Move!

Discover what it is like to be a sea turtle biologist saving endangered sea turtle eggs.  Learn about sea turtle tracks, nesting behavior and hazards on the beach.  See a video of eggs being moved to an observation nest and watch sea turtle hatchlings emerge from the egg.  Students re-enact the nest relocation process in class by digging in the sand and carefully moving the eggs (ping pong balls) to a protected hatchery.  Special rates and time applies.

3.  BATS  "Munchkins of the Night Sky"

Discover the mysteries and unveil the myths about the world of bats.  Identify fruit bats from insect eating bats.  Feel the texture of a simulated bat wing, try on bat biologist equipment, and see a real mounted vampire bat.  Observe live cave creatures that share their home with bats.  Check out our special fall and winter program, BAT-O-WEEN, which brings extra creepy critters (see #14 below).

4.  WETLANDS  "Wet, Wild and Wonderful"

Brimming with fish, frogs and a host of feathered friends, wetlands and wildlife exist where moistness and muck is key.  Learn about wetland plants, hunting techniques of wading birds, alligator nests and hatchlings.  Observe heron tracks, a snapping turtle nest and eggs, alligator skulls plus more.  See live fish, frogs, aquatic turtles, insects and plants.  From the Everglades to ponds, learn why wetlands is one of nature's richest resources.

5.  REPTILES  "For Goodness SNAKES"

Fasten your seatbelts for a reptile ride!  Learn how these scaly adventurers from land to sea are found in most ecosystems.  Understand their survival techniques from alligators to slow poke turtles and elusive anoles.  Learn to identify harmless snakes in your own neighborhood and touch snake skin, iguana skin, alligator teeth, see reptile eggs and more. Meet and greet live reptile ambassadors with a variety of turtles, snakes and lizards. 

6.  WORLD OF SNAKES  "Serpent Secrets"

Uncoil the secrets of the serpent world in this presentation that features snakes from around the world.  Discover the differences of venomous and non-venomous snakes and how to protect yourself.  See a preserved specimen of a venomous Copperhead that lives in the Piedmont.  Unroll a replica of  the world's largest snake, the giant Anaconda.  See live snakes from Africa, South America, Mexico and North America.  Guaranteed to make you ssssssmile!

7. INSECTS  "Nothing BUGS ME"

There are more insects in the world than any other creatures on earth!  Important as pollinators, decomposers and forming the base of food chains, they are masters of disguise, efficient colonizers and food gatherers. Observe a collection of giant Asian beetles, butterflies from the rainforests, the world's largest moth and more.  Feel the bumps of a 10 inch African millipede, observe a hairy tarantula, hear hissing cockroaches and witness a scorpion glow in the dark.  Don't get bugged but learn the bug basics.

8.  REEFS & SHARKS  "Underwater Gardens of Life"

Imagine a world where millions of miniature animals construct limestone cathedrals attracting marine life from starfish to sharks.  Reefs are havens for one quarter of all animals living in the sea.  Touch hard and soft corals, barnacles, sponges, puffer fish, trigger fish, shark teeth, shark skin and a real shark egg.  Meet live marine creatures such as "Nemo" the clownfish, the "doctor of the sea" a coral banded shrimp and touch live marine snails and starfish.  

9. TROPICAL RAINFORESTS "Paradise Out on a Limb"

Marvel how plants and animals of the rainforest relate from the treetops to the ground floor in this lush world where water rules.  Learn how wildlife survives in the trees, nutrients are recycled and how plants manage excess water without rotting. Discover epiphytic bromeliads (air plants) that house wildlife.   Meet and greet live animals including a green iguana, an Emperor Scorpion, a rainforest snake and watch "Captain", a Blue and Gold Macaw crack open nuts.

10. NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE  "Carolina Creatures & Features"

Learn about the woods, waters and wildlife of our state from the coast, piedmont and mountains.  Learn to identify animal tracks, venomous reptiles, carnivorous plants and several endangered and common animals.  Observe an insect meal of a pitcher plant, touch deer, rabbit, fox, raccoon, coyote and skunk skin.  Feel bones from gators, snakes and beavers.  Learn about black bears and see their claws.  Meet North Carolina's state reptile the Eastern box turtle, native amphibians and a non-venomous snake.

11. BACKYARD WILDLIFE "Wildlife to View and You"

Learn the tips and techniques in attracting butterflies, birds and other creatures to your backyard or school grounds.  Find out what type of plants attract butterflies and hummingbirds.  What kind of structures attract toads, frogs, insects and reptiles.  Start your own wildlife study site on your property. 

12.  ANIMAL CRACKERS "Introducing Animals to Toddlers & Preschoolers"

Animal Crackers introduces young children to the world of animals. Learn the basic differences of fish, birds, reptiles, mammals and insects.  Senses are stimulated as they feel soft mammal fur from rabbit, deer and fox.  Touch hard and scaly items from turtles, alligators and snakes.  Feel feathers from parrots, ducks and peacocks.  Try on a beekeeper's hat!  Meet live reptiles and insects. It's BIG FUN for little hands!

13.  SNAKES OF NORTH CAROLINA  "Carolina Snakes & You"

Do you know how to identify a venomous snake from a non-venomous snake?  Where do you find snakes?  What attracts them to your yard?  Which ones are common? How do you protect yourself from snake bites?  Find out these answers plus more as participants observe snake eggs, herpetologist equipment, snake skin, snake bones, preserved snakes (including a Copperhead) and many more items.  Touch live non-venomous snakes and learn key identifying patterns.

14.  BAT - O - WEEN                        Special Fall and Winter Program

Get ready for a spooktacular time with a bat program that includes creepy crawlies such as furry tarantulas, a glowing scorpion, 10 inch giant millipedes, colorful snakes, fuzzy mice and roaches that Hissssssssssss. It's fun for all and will make your special event howl with excitement.  No tricks, it's a real TREAT!

15.  BIRDS & BUTTERFLIES           Special Spring and Summer Program

Celebrate the season and learn to recognize familiar birds and butterflies in your own backyard.  See a large variety of bird nests from robins, bluebirds, barn swallows, cardinals plus more.  Feel feathers from Great Blue Heron, Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls and others.  Observer a variety of butterfly chrysalis, native and exotic butterflies and moth cocoons.  Visit with a Blue and Gold macaw and see him crack open nuts.  

16.  MULTIPLE ANIMAL PROGRAMS           Ecology + Kids = EcoKids!

EcoKids are multiple programs scheduled to accommodate several different program themed topics.  Great for a series of afterschool programs or schools that want to enhance more hands-on science activities with their students.  Have 3 programs, 4 programs or more with flexible scheduling.   Lesson sheets and take home projects are included.   Please inquire about special rates. 

17. OWL PELLET DISSECTION  Workshop with Take Home Items                      

Owl pellets are the undigested bones and fur that an owl cannot digest.  Each participant gets their own sterilized owl pellet to discover what is inside.  Is it a shrew, a mouse, a bird or a rat?  Kids hoot with pleasure as they hunt for teeth, a skull, ribs and more.  This is a great hands-on project for small groups.  Each participant gets to keep what they find.  *Please inquire about special rates and time.

18.  SHARK TOOTH FOSSIL DIG Workshop with Take Home Items                   

All shark lovers, treasure seekers, dirt diggers and paleontologists please apply!  Each participant gets their own fossilized shark dirt and digs to collect fossils including shark teeth, stingray mouth plates and coral fragments to take home.  For small groups.  *Please inquire about special rates and time.

19.   TRACKING IT!    Workshop with Take Home Items                                        

Get woods wise with what animals leave behind - their tracks!  See animal tracks from beaver, bear, panther, fox, squirrel, deer, coyote, raccoon and more. Children make their own Plaster-of-Paris track to take home with them.  For small groups.  *Please inquire about special rates and time.

20. ECOWILD EXPLORATION STATIONS  Special Indoor or Outdoor Events

We can make your next event a memorable one with lots of live animals and hands-on artifacts for free flowing audiences.  Great for science day events at schools, outdoor festivals, community events and more.  Click on the SPECIAL EVENT link above for more information.

Other Program Topics

Please inquire for further information on programs listed below
 

 

 

Special Events

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