Environmental Education Field Trip Opportunities

Book your public school, private school, home school or church youth group for a spring 2022 field trip with The Eastern 4-H Center. Explore the Albemarle Sound with experiential learning curriculum aligned with state teaching standards!

Classes are taught by experienced environmental educators with the beautiful grounds of The Eastern 4-H Center serving as a hands-on, outdoor classroom. For questions or to make a reservation contact Program Director Jonathan Peoples jwpeople@ncsu.edu or 252-797-4800 For a full list of class descriptions, activities and alignment with state teaching standards, download our environmental education guide. Offerings include: Swamp Study for Grades K-5 Students explore the wetlands boardwalk that meanders through one of the Albemarle Sound's coastal swamps, learning about the role of wetlands and investigating the macro-invertebrates that call it home. Microscope Mania for Grades 6-12 Geared toward older students, this take on wetland ecology allows students to explore the swamp from the wetlands boardwalk while collecting organisms to be viewed under compound microscopes. An engaging and minimally structured program which outlines the important role of wetlands while providing plenty of time for exploration. Sound Study and Crabbing for Grades K-12 This exciting lesson contains an overview of the Albemarle Sound's coastal ecology with an emphasis on the biology of the Blue Crab! Students will learn the best techniques for catching these popular shellfish and then test these out first hand by crabbing off the end of the Eastern Center's pier. Forestry 101 for Grades 3-6 Take a closer look at the local forests to learn about the differences between coniferous and deciduous trees. Students will explore the biodiversity of the forest floor while discussing some of the roles of a professional forester. Students will also learn about the factors that affect tree growth and how the size of tree rings can be an indicator of environmental health. Advanced Forestry for Grades 7-12 A review of basic forest characteristics with a more in-depth look at forestry tools for older students. Groups will use Biltmore sticks to measure the commercial potential of a tree and discover how this tool is used to conserve resources. Properties of Water for Grades 3-8 Students learn about water quality standards, side effects of agricultural runoff, and the interactions between fresh water rivers and salt water estuaries. Students test the pH, salinity, turbidity, phosphate and nitrate levels of the Albemarle Sound. Finally, students build a natural filtration system to model how wetlands successfully keep contaminants and sediment out of water systems. Adaptable Animals for Grades K-6 One of the most fascinating aspects of ecology is the role adaptation plays in a system! Plants and animals are constantly changing to increase their chances of survival. This program teaches students about physiological and behavioral adaptations and uses hands-on activities and games to demonstrate the dramatic impact these changes can have on an organism. Ecological Connections for Grades K-6 Explore the interconnected world of food chains and species relationships. This program demonstrates how an ecosystem stays in balance through hands-on activities and experiential games. Students learn how predator-prey and symbiotic relationships function in an ecosystem.

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