Powdermill offers a variety of interdisciplinary, hands-on, environmental education activities at the Powdermill Nature Reserve headquarters building. Enhance your environment and ecology curriculum in our natural setting. In addition to our standard activities, we can also design field trips to meet your curriculum needs.

Activities for grades K-12 are developed by the highly trained Education staff and may be adapted from recognized curriculums including: Aquatic Project WILD Keystone Aquatic Resource Education (KARE), Pennsylvania Songbirds, Project Food, Land, and People, Project Learning Tree, Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), Project WILD, and The Wonders of Wetlands.

The Homeschool Program Brochure is in two parts for easier downloading and printing. Both files are in PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have the Reader, please click here for the free download.

– Click here for page 1 of the brochure
– Click here for page 2 of the brochure

While at Powdermill, the students remain your responsibility.  Make your students' visit a safe and educational experience by remaining with them throughout the visit.  We encourage you to become involved in the program with your students.  Respect for plant life, animal life, and natural features of Powdermill should be reinforced prior to the program. (Nothing may be picked, collected, or removed from the reserve.)  It is requested that groups bring at least 1 adult for each 15 students.

To schedule activities, call the Coordinator of Education, Theresa Gay Rohall, at (724) 593-6105, Monday-Friday, 8:00- 4:00.

All programs are led by Powdermill's education staff.  Maximum group size is 45 students.  Activities are 1.5  to 2.5 hours long, depending on the age of the group and the activity selected;  two programs with a lunch break can be arranged. Please be prepared to pay by check, payable to Camegie Institute, on the day of your scheduled trip.

Costs for a 1.5 hour program: $6.00/student or $60 for less than 10 students

Costs for a 2 or 2.5 hour prograrn: $7.00/student or $70 for less than 10 students

USING THE SENSES
A unique way for young children to experience the natural world. Students discover the environment using the senses of hearing, sight, touch, and smell. An exercise emphasizing colors and shapes in nature is included.  (Pre-K-Kindergarten, 1.5 hours)

SHAPES, PATTERNS, AND NUMBERS IN NATURE
Examining the outdoor world, students find shapes, patterns, and numerical arrangements within the enviroment. A great way to learn mathematical concepts and develop keen observation skills. (Grades 1-3, 1.5 hours)

SEASONAL CHANGES
Observing wild animals and plants can reveal a lot about the changes that occur as the forest passes from season to season. Students make weather observations, draw plants, and search for animals and signs of animal behavior as they learn about these seasonal changes. (Grades 1-3, 1.5 hours)

THE CLOSER YOU LOOK
Close observation of trees reveals their structure, parts, and detailed characteristics. An art proj ect reinforces students'newfound knowledge of Pennsylvania!s trees. (Pre-K-6, 1.5 hours)

ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS AND HABITAT
As they walk through the forest, students learn the components of a healthy habitat. A search for live animals is followed by close examination to determine the special characteristics that allow each animal to survive within its habitat.
(Grades 2-4, 1.5 hours)

STREAM SENSE
This activity allows young students to visit the stream without doing the advanced stream study. Students use their senses to increase their awareness of stream ecosystems. (Grades K-3, 1.5 hours)

THE CLOSER YOU LOOK
Close observation of trees reveals their structure, parts, and detailed characteristics. An art proj ect reinforces students' newfound knowledge of Pennsylvania!s trees. (Pre-K-6, 1.5 hours)

ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS AND HABITAT
As they walk through the forest, students learn the components of a healthy habitat. A search for live animals is followed by close examination to determine the special characteristics that allow each animal to survive within its habitat.
(Grades 2-5, 1.5 hours)

ENERGY FLOW: THE SUN TO YOU
An active simulation demonstrates the flow of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem, from the capturing of solar energy by green plants to the decomposition of dead organic matter. Another simulation shows the importance of food chains and food webs. (Grades 4-6, 1.5 hours)

INVESTIGATING INSECTS
Students discover the fascinating world of insects in this comprehensive activity. An art project allows students to design their own insects, complete with adaptations. Moving outdoors, the group studies live insects while learning about life cycles, classification, and ecology. (Grades 4-8, 2.5 hours)

CREATIVE WRITING IN THE OUTDOORS
The natural setting, as well as poems by Frost, Dickinson, and Muir, serve as inspiration while students are guided through a creative writing exercise.
(Grades 4-6, 1.5 hours )

BIRDS AND THEIR ADAPTATIONS
By building their own three-dimensional birds, students discover how unique adaptations help birds survive in their habitats. Two simulation games focus on the behavioral adaptations of birdsong and migration. (Grades 4-6, 2.5 hours)

CRACK, CRUMBLE, AND CARRY
In this geology activity, students experiment and observe demonstrations of the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition. Thought-provoking questions and discussion forge the connection between the experiments and the results of these processes in nature. The activity concludes with an interpretive walk to examine how these forces shape our landscape.  (Grades 6-9, 2.5 hours)

MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Pennsylvania's geologic history is explored in a series of simulations and exercises. The activity focuses on the types of rock and their origins, the importance of sedimentary rock as a record of Earth's history, tectonic events and mountain orogeny, and the aging of rocks by the use of index fossils.
(Grades 6-9,  2.5 hours)

CREATE A CRITTER
Focusing on adaptations of stream animals, each student draws and names an imaginary "critter." This activity is a great prelude to the stream study. (Grades 5-12, 2 hours)

STREAM STUDY
In this investigation of a mountain stream habitat, students determine stream quality by collection and identification of stream inhabitants as well as by chemical testing. The water cycle, watersheds, food chains, and environmental problems are also covered. (Grades 5-12, 2.5 hours)

LAND USE SIMULATION
Students participate in a simulation regarding land use in a hypothetical community. Assuming the roles of local politicians and special interest groups, they formulate a plan for development of land while taking economics, zoning regulations, and environmental concerns into consideration. (Grades 7-12, 2 hours)

CRACK, CRUMBLE, AND CARRY
In this geology activity, students experiment and observe demonstrations of the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition. Thought-provoking questions and discussion forge the connection between the experiments and the results of these processes in nature. The activity concludes with an interpretive walk to examine how these forces shape our landscape.  (Grades 6-9, 2.5 hours)

MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Pennsylvania's geologic history is explored in a series of simulations and exercises. The activity focuses on the types of rock and their origins, the importance of sedimentary rock as a record of Earth's history, tectonic events and mountain orogeny, and the aging of rocks by the use of index fossils.
(Grades 6-9,  2.5 hours)

CREATE A CRITTER
Focusing on adaptations of stream animals, each student draws and names an imaginary "critter." This activity is a great prelude to the stream study. (Grades 5-12, 2 hours)

STREAM STUDY
In this investigation of a mountain stream habitat, students determine stream quality by collection and identification of stream inhabitants as well as by chemical testing. The water cycle, watersheds, food chains, and environmental problems are also covered. (Grades 5-12, 2.5 hours)

LAND USE SIMULATION
Students participate in a simulation regarding land use in a hypothetical community. Assuming the roles of local politicians and special interest groups, they formulate a plan for development of land while taking economics, zoning regulations, and environmental concerns into consideration. (Grades 7-12, 2 hours)