(Grades 4-12) Students will discover what is special about an owl’s eyes, neck, ears, talons, and feathers. They will also dissect an owl pellet to learn about the diet of this highly specialized bird of prey, before heading off for a firsthand look at owl habitat found at Mill Grove and learning about healthy forests and why owls depend on them. 

Bird Beak Bonanza

(Grades 4-12) A lesson on a bird’s most special adaptation – their beak! Students will investigate variations in bird beaks and the interrelationships of form and function by classifying birds with similar beaks and inferring possible bird foods based on beak shapes. We will also discuss why birds’ ability to adapt to their environment is so important for their survival, especially in a changing climate.

Migration Madness

(Grades 4-12) Why do birds fly south for the winter? Students will navigate Audubon’s new interactive tool called the “Bird Migration Explorer” to discover which birds migrate where, the routes they take, and the conservation challenges they face during their annual journeys. Students will also learn how to use binoculars and try to spot migratory and resident birds found at Mill Grove.

Pollinators and You

(Grades 4-12) Many plants rely on birds and insects to pollinate them. We’ll take a walk to the pollinator garden at Mill Grove and learn about this phenomenon. Students will understand how important pollination is to our ecosystem and to food systems for birds and people, as well as the importance of native plants for pollinators.

Watershed Modeling

(Grades 3-8) What is a watershed? In this lesson, students will learn about watersheds by building one, and will discover how our everyday activities on land can impact water quality and watershed health.

Drawn from Nature

(Grades K-12) Mimic the famed artist John James Audubon and learn to draw nature in real life. Students will create their own nature-inspired drawings using some of Audubon’s techniques while learning about the relationship between birds and their habitat.

Audubon Experience

(Grades K-12) Curiosity takes flight at the John James Audubon Center! Students will explore the world of birds in the WOW! Birds Gallery, learn about the legacy of John James Audubon, and discover the intersection of nature, art, and conservation.

Wonders of Water

(Grades 5-8) In this MWEE, students will learn about watershed health and will test the quality of the water in the Perkiomen Creek. They will also look for macroinvertebrates as indicators of environmental health and will consider how erosion, flooding, and pollution affect water, birds, and people. Once the impacts of human activity are assessed, students will investigate what actions they can take to be stewards of the watershed.