Kids Workshop Series

Our workshop instructor, Judy Campbell, is the founder of Nature Knowledge for Kids. She has been an educator for over 20 years, both as an adjunct professor at UMass, and as an elementary program specialist in science at the Needham Science Center in the Needham Public Schools.

In Needham, she developed and presented classroom programs, field trips, helped develop curricula and professional development for teachers, created exhibits and other materials for classroom use, and cared for a wide variety of Science Center animals.

Sign up for one or more workshops by filling out the NCF Kids Workshop Registration Form

Workshops For Rising 4th – 6th Graders:

All Classes are from 9:00am to 11:00am.  Children should bring a healthy, nut free snack.

 Class Fee = $25

“Power of Flowers and Super Seeds” – July 3rd: This class takes a close look at the wonders of plant reproduction

• Examine various kinds of flowers and seeds using magnification (hand lenses and microscopes)
• Dissect a flower and a seed (lima bean)
• Learn how pollination happens; try hand-pollinating some flowers
• Plant seeds to bring home
• Learn about different ways that seeds disperse

“Farmers’ Friends” – July 17th:  Earthworms, Honeybees, Ladybugs and Praying Mantises are all beneficial inhabitants of the farm.  Find out why.

• Examine earthworms (magnification) and conduct gentle experiments (light, moisture, etc.)
• Examine dead honeybees (magnification), learn about their lives and role in pollination, honey-making
• Examine beeswax
• Learn how ladybugs and praying mantises help control pest insects
• Eat apple slices with honey

“Bird Basics” – July 31st:  Many different birds have been spotted at the farm.  Come take a look and learn the basics of birds’ adaptations and bird-watching.

• Bird-watching and identification around the farm
• Examine structure of feathers and chicken bones
• Learn about shapes and functions of bird bills
• Learn about nest-building and examine various nests

“Hidden Habitat Hunt” – August 14th:  Explore the many different habitats in the areas surrounding the farm

• Find and examine micro-habitats
• Learn what depends on small, vital areas
• Explore under logs, small “wetlands” in tire tracks and other fun places

Workshops For Rising 2nd and 3rd Graders:

All Classes are from 9:00am to 11:00am.  Children should bring a healthy, nut free snack.

Class Fee = $25

“Staying Alive” – June 26th: How do some of our local critters survive in the their habitats?  Come find out.

• Learn about camouflage, “armor,” “weapons,” etc.
• Activities demonstrating camouflage
• Meet a few animals (brought by instructor) that have interesting defenses

“About Amphibians” – July 10th:  Fun at the farm with frog and toad

• Meet live frogs and toads
• Learn about the amphibian life cycle, habitats, diet
• Search for salamanders

“Soft and Slimy” – July 24th: Fun at the farm with snails and slugs

• Meet land snails, slugs, freshwater snails
• Learn about these molluscs’ bodies, habitats, diets

“Nature Crafts” – August 7th:  Kids will explore their creative side using natural materials from around the farm

• Search for possible art materials found around the farm and the surrounding woods (materials also provided by instructor)
•  Create unique craft items to take home

Sign up for one or more workshops by filling out the NCF Kids Workshop Registration Form

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