Classroom Programs

Classroom programs are offered through Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Rangers visit your classroom to teach a program of your choice that aligns with the K-12 Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Standards. Classroom programs are approximately 45 minutes- 1 hour long and can be adapted to the teacher's availability.

*Rangers are available to visit schools within a reasonable driving distance from Patten, ME (under 50 miles).

Year-round Programs

1. Nocturnal Animals (K-5): Explore the unique adaptations of nocturnal animals and how they navigate the darkness of the night.

2. Phenology- Tracking the Seasons (2-12): As one season transitions into another, we may notice changes in plants and animals too. Learn how to observe and record these changes in the natural world around you.

3. Geology (4-6): Discover the immense forces of weathering and erosion that can wear down a mountain. Rock formations can give us clues of the past and tell stories of the surrounding landscape.

4. NPS and You (6-8): Delve into the history of why the National Park Service came to be and how the NPS works to preserve the history, culture, and natural wonders of the park for you and future generations. Students will create their own mini national parks, discussing what they will preserve for future generations.

5. Atlantic Salmon (5-12): The endangered Atlantic salmon are found only in a few rivers in Maine. Learn about their migratory lifestyle and how different organizations are working together to help in the conservation and recovery of the Atlantic salmon.

6. Forest Ecology *outdoor lesson (3-12): Learn about the different parts of the forest and how it changes over time. Students will get the opportunity to collect data and identify the trees found around their school.

Spring Programs

1. Reptiles and Amphibians (k-5): Slimy or scaly? Explore the differences between some surprisingly important creatures in the monument!

2. Are You My Mother?: Baby Animals (k-5): How and why do animal babies look different from their parents? Discover the differences that helps them survive!

3. Plants and Pollinators (k-8): Birds and bees and butterflies! Oh my! Join us as we explore some of our pollinators and the vital role they play in our ecosystems and food supply.

Winter Programs

The winter programs are only offered during the winter season.

1. Winter Ecology *outdoor lesson (K-5): Learn about how plants and animals survive freezing temperatures and a snow-covered landscape. We will discover some of the amazing adaptations of plants and animals around your school! This program is also offered as a field trip to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

   • Equipment offered: Snowshoes are provided for up to 16 students and 3 adults. Schools are responsible for additional equipment needs. If the conditions don't meet snowshoe standards the program can be altered for winter hiking.

2. Winter Wildlife Strategies: Sleep, Play, or Fly Away (K-5): Learn about the strategies of hibernation, tolerance, and migration that animals use to survive the harsh winter months.

3. Snowbound Survival: Animals in Winter (K-5): Now that winter is here with snow and freezing temperatures, how are our wild animals surviving? We’ll explore the different adaptations that the animals of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument use to survive Maine's winters.