On-site Education
We are very flexible with our curriculum offering and any of these activities can be done at any grade level. With middle school and high school groups, we recommend calling to discuss a subject specific program that fits the needs of your class.
Columbia Springs offers short term and long-term projects. Short-term projects are those completed at Columbia Springs. Long-term projects are started at the center but brought back into the classroom and observed over time.
More in-depth environmental education projects can be done over several visits.
Information About Scheduling a Visit:
Beginning September 28, 2009 Columbia Springs will require a $5 per student payment for on-site educator activities (field trips). As is usual, you can schedule a visit in advance by calling our Education Coordinator at 360-882-0936 Ext. 226. We will start registering groups for the 2009-2010 school year on Monday, September 21st.
We are currently working on a plan to procide scholarships and/or reduced fees for groups less able to pay the new fees. In the meantime, we suggest those with financial hardships work through their local Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) and/or your institution's foundation to obtain financial support for your visit.
Level 1 Programs
These are activities that have been pre-planned by our staff. Depending on each group's focus we ask that you allow one and one-half to two hours for these programs. You can choose to do a walking tour of the center and brief hands on activity or a tour and a more in-depth activity (allow 2 hours).
Click here for complete listing of Level 1 ActivitiesLevel 2 Programs
Level II activities are an option for educators who would like to teach a program of their own design using Columbia Spring's resources. Our staff can be on hand to help facilitate these lessons, but ideally, this option is educator driven, with the main responsibilities of organizing and teaching being in your hands.
An example of this could be the use of the Biddle Nature Preserve by a 7th grade class and their teacher who is leading a program about the connection between local geology and vegetation. Our facility can provide resources such as hand lenses, dissection scopes, containers, art materials, use of the outdoor or Swift classrooms, and much more.
If you are interested in designing a level II program please contact Ed Maxwell at (360) 604-1001 ext.9085. We would be happy to speak with you at greater length about this option and to arrange a tour of the site to allow you greater ease in designing your project
Level 3 Programs
The level III option is for those projects that cannot be completed in just several days of instruction. Examples of level III projects would be ongoing water quality testing, the planting and monitoring of a native plant exhibit, and stewardship activities (invasive species removal, trail maintenance and construction, habitat construction projects).
As for level II projects, we strongly suggest a preliminary visit to Columbia Springs to familiarize yourself to the site and to talk more with our staff about the needs of your group.