By Philip Kyle | Director of Education
9/1/11
Our busiest season, the SPRING, meant we were overwhelmed with Public Schools, Community groups, Montessori Schools, After-School Enrichment programs, Home Schoolers, Museums, Kindergartens, Nursery Schools and Pre-schools. All the groups that came to the South Shore Natural Science Center benefitted from Animal Planet’s R.O.A.R. exhibits. The interactive MIGRATION BOARD showing the routes of local Migrants and the hands-on color-image/ sounds of NATUREPEDIA’s Bird, Insect and Amphibian noises definitely enhanced the whole learning-about-nature challenge!
Late June, July and August, with school being out, it is a bit more quiet here at the Science Center. The respite only lasted for a few days because on June 20th Summer Camp began for 400 Elementary and Middle school kids. All 20 summer camp counselors were trained on how to use the two Animal Planet R.O.A.R. exhibits and strengthen the camper’s auditory and visual skills and were great teaching resources.
The mission at the South Shore Natural Science Center ” is to provide natural science experiences that educate, excite and commit every generation to conserve the environment and to encourage responsible use, stewardship and enjoyment of natural resources.”
This mission coincides with the philosophy, to avoid Nature Deficit Disorder at all costs. Nature play stimulates creativity and improves problem solving skills. It increases self esteem and reduces stress. With these exhibits being regularly used through multiple Programs and by Drop-ins to our museum, children are inspired to protect nature throughout their lives.
So whether it’s Barn Swallows, Baltimore Orioles, Green Frog’s or Water Snakes the camper’s realized that these animals are not around throughout the year, furnishing opportunities to discuss migration and hibernating.
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Donating to the South Shore Natural Science Center’s two Animal Planet R.O.A.R. exhibits will allow more TRAINING of Educator/Naturalists and Summer Camp Counselors to be performed. Funding will also allow specific activities and programs to be developed around these great teaching resources.
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