Events at Earthplace , Westport CT

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Unless noted, programs are included with Natureplace admission and are free to members.
Admission: $7 adults and children over 12, $5 children 1—12 yrs & seniors

WINTER WALK

Take a trail walk with naturalist Pete Fraboni and learn how to identify trees in winter through their bark, branches and shape.

Saturday February 4, 2:30 PM

MEET THE ANIMALS - A Presentation by the Animal Care Technician Class

The young graduates of the Earthplace Animal Care Technician program will introduce guests to some of the Earthplace Animal Ambassadors.

Saturday February 11, 2:30 PM

SCHOOL BREAK FUN
Drop in to Earthplace during the school break for some fun activities that are included with regular admission.

Friday February 17
10 AM - Meet an animal with Miss Becky and hear a story related to that animal.
2:30 PM - Take a trail walk with Miss Becky.

Saturday February 18

2:30 PM - Meet an animal.

Monday February 20
10 AM - Meet an animal and hear a story related to that animal.
2:30 PM - Take a trail walk.

FEBRUARY VACATION DAYS - Ages 3 1/2 to 1st Grade
This is a drop-off nature program during Winter Break. There will be science and art projects, as well as free play and an animal visitor. Pre-registration required. 9:30 AM -12:30 PM

Tuesday February 21 - Migrating animals
We will learn more about animals that move for the winter. Did you know that there are animals that migrate to Connecticut?

Wednesday February 22 - Animals in the winter
Learn how animals stay warm and what things that they do to protect themselves.

$40/class member, $50/class non-member

Registration Form
Authorization Form - must be completed for new students or updated if information has changed

FEBRUARY VACATION FUN
Drop in to Earthplace during the winter break for some fun activities that are included with regular admission.

Tuesday February 21
10 AM - Meet an animal with Miss Becky and hear a story related to that animal.
2:30 PM - We'll take a look at different tracks, see if we can find any outside and make our own track.

Wednesday February 22
10 AM - Meet an animal with Miss Becky and hear a story related to that animal.
2:30 PM - We make a nest material box that we can put out for the birds and watch and see what they take and where they take it.

Thursday February 23
10 AM - Meet an animal with Miss Becky and hear a story related to that animal.
2:30 PM - We will stay inside and make recycled paper out of the paper scraps around Earthplace.

Friday February 24
10 AM - Meet an animal with Miss Becky and hear a story related to that animal.
2:30 PM - Let's bundle up and head outside for a trail walk. What do you think that we will find?

SONGS ABOUT NATURE

Details soon.

Saturday February 25, 2:30 PM

SAP TO SUGAR

Details soon.

Saturday March 3, 2:30 PM

GREEN TRAIL WALK

Details soon.

Saturday March 17, 2:30 PM

SONGS OF SPRING

Details soon.

Saturday March 24, 2:30 PM

KITE-MAKING DAY

Details soon.

Saturday March 31, 2:30 PM

Description: http://www.arthursclipart.org/freshwaterfish/fish/zebradanio.gif Norwalk Aquarium Society 34th Annual
TROPICAL FISH & AQUARIUM EQUIPMENT BENEFIT AUCTION
Proceeds benefit Earthplace

One of the Northeast’s largest auctions of beautiful tropical fish & new and good used aquarium equipment!

Sunday, March 4, Set up and viewing 10:30am-11:30am
Auction begins around Noon
Open to the Public – free of charge

SCHOOL BREAK FUN
Drop in to Earthplace during the school break for some fun activities that are included with regular admission.

Friday March 21
10 AM - Meet an animal with Miss Becky and hear a story related to that animal.
2:30 PM - Take a trail walk with Miss Becky.

FRIDAY FAMILY CAMPFIRES
Fee is $20 per member family and $25 for non-member families.
7:00 - 8:30 PM

Enjoy sitting by the fire and exploring the night. Everyone will enjoy toasting marshmallows for smore’s. Bring a blanket or folding chair to sit on. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Friday April 13 - Night Sounds

Friday May 11 - Music with Miss Mary

Friday June 8 - Animals of the Night

Friday September 14 - Night Hike

Friday October 12 - Campfire Stories

SCIENCE FUN - Grades K-5

Science activities are available once a month on the second Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the month.
Sign up in advance is required. The drop-off program for children in grades K-5 runs from 4:00 to 5:15 PM.

$12 per class members, $22 per class non-members
Space is limited, pre-registration required.

Friction	2/7, 2/8 or 2/9 Friction is something that affects our lives that we do not really think about. Have you ever slid across your kitchen floor in your socks? Can you do the same thing with your shoes on? Is there something that we can do to make ice less slippery or more?
Airplanes	3/13, 3/14 or 3/15 There are many different types of flying objects in the sky. Today we will focus on airplanes. The design of airplanes has changed over the years. What has changed and why are airplanes able to fly? We will try to discover this and make our own paper airplanes.
Geology Rocks	4/10, 4/11 or 4/12 Come travel through the rock cycle. Learn how rocks become different types of rocks. We will attempt to make our own sedimentary rock to take home.
Optical Illusions	5/8, 5/9 or 5/10 Our eyes see many things but do we really see what they think or is it an illusion? Today we will look at some optical illusions as well as try to figure out how they work.

Registration Form
Authorization Form - must be completed for new students or updated if information has changed

NATURE FUN - Grades K-5

Nature activities are available once a month on the third Wednesday of the month.
Sign up in advance is required. The drop-off program for children in grades K-5 runs from 4:00 to 5:15 PM.

$12 per class members, $22 per class non-members
Space is limited, pre-registration required.

Amphibians	Wednesday February 29 We will learn the special characteristics that make amphibians amphibians and meet a few of our resident animals.
Trees and Flowers	Wednesday March 21 Today we will take a look at the different trees and flowers around Earthplace. We will discuss the differences between them and why some bloom earlier than others.
Pond Life	Wednesday April 25 Be prepared to get muddy. We are headed down to the pond to see what we can find with nets and Magnifying lenses. Are all the things we find important?
Insects	Wednesday May 16 What makes an insect and insect and why is that spider not one. When we are finished out to the trails with nets and magnifying lenses to see what we can find.

Registration Form
Authorization Form - must be completed for new students or updated if information has changed

ALL ABOUT IT - After School Programs for Preschool Children

Tuesday nature activities are available once a month. Sign up in advance is required. The drop-off program for children in preschool, who must be 4 by December 31, 2011 to attend, runs from 4-5 PM.

$12 per class members, $22 per class non-members

February 28	Clouds—Today we will admire the clouds and a look at the differences. Different clouds mean different things for weather. Make your own cloud to bring home.
March 20	Animal Tracks—All animal tracks are different. Head out to the trails to see what animal tracks we can see. Make your own tracks to bring home.
April 24	Pond Life—Wear your rubber boots, we are heading to the pond today with nets and a magnifying lens. Spend an hour exploring what lives in the pond.
May 14	Trail Exploration—Head out to the trails to see what you can find. Is there scat, animal tracks, animals? Who knows what lies ahead?

Registration Form
Authorization Form - must be completed for new students or updated if information has changed

STREAM EXPLORATION & MONITORING WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Water is a wonderful and unique fluid. This precious liquid forms the stream habitat, home to a myriad of life forms. Interested high school students, teachers and adults are invited to enroll in our Stream Exploration and Monitoring Workshop, a four-session course scheduled for Saturday March 3, 10, 17, and 24 from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Earthplace in Westport.

The workshop will introduce participants to how the water quality of streams is tested & evaluated. Physical, chemical, bacteriological, and macro-invertebrate parameters will be explored. Hands-on water testing will also be highlighted with a special emphasis on nitrogen forms and how field measurements can lead to the understanding and detection of pollution. The correct procedures for sampling and the proper techniques for measuring dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, nutrients, indicator bacteria and others are included. Demonstrations using field and laboratory instrumentation will also be featured.

Those who participate in this workshop may wish to become volunteers with the Harbor Watch Water Quality Monitoring Program. Volunteers are actively engaged in monitoring efforts that are helping to assess the water quality of some of our local watersheds like the Saugatuck and Norwalk River watersheds. This workshop is also ideal for teachers who would like to introduce the topic of aquatic biology into the classroom or anyone who is interested in water quality.

The four-session course fee is only $45 for Earthplace members and students, and $75 for non-members. The fee includes handout materials and refreshments. Call (203) 227-7253 for more information and to register.

Saturday March 3, 10, 17, 24, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

ANIMAL CARE VOLUNTEERS

Over thirty domestic and non-releasable wild animals act as species ambassadors in the many Earthplace educational programs. We are seeking volunteers to help provide the quality care these animals require.

If you are over 18 years of age, can commit to a three-hour shift once each week and are interested in becoming part of the Animal Care Team at Earthplace, we’d like to meet you. Please call Linda Roberts at (203) 227-7253 for further information.