TEACHER RESOURCE CENTER

A variety of "Prop Boxes" are available for teachers to loanout.  Each box was developed by naturalists trained in education and includes materials that enable teachers to extend their own curriculum.  Some may contain natural history biofacts, books, models, curricula ideas, background information and much more.

All prop boxes require a $25 deposit and have a loan period of up to 4 weeks for $5 per week.

A Bug's Life
Watershed
Geology
Habitats
Insects
Native Americans
Sea Life
Trees
Whales
Endangered Species
Rain Forest
Rhode Island Naturally:  Birdlife
Rhode Island Naturally:  Mammals
Bay Animals Like it Clean and Salty
 
The Teacher Resource Center is located at Audubon Headquarters, 12 Sanderson Road in Smithfield, R, and available by appointment only. To make an appointment, click here.

For additional information or to reserve a prop box call (401) 949-5454 x3011 or email thall@asri.org

2013 Teacher Workshops for Professional Development
 
Note: Professional Development Credits are available for all workshops.
 
Growing Up Wild: Exploring Nature with Young Children
Saturday, April 27, 2013, 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Audubon’s Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield       

Fee: $25.00/person
 
Growing Up WILD is a national curriculum for early childhood educators. The workshop centers around building upon children’s natural sense of wonder about nature. Audubon educators will demonstrate a wide range of activities that are developmentally appropriate for children ages 3 to 7. The goal is to provide a foundation for developing positive impressions about nature while also building lifelong social and cognitive skills among preschoolers.
All participants will receive a copy of the Growing Up WILD activity guide.
 
Wow! Science: Innovative Thinking and Creativity in Science and in the Arts
Saturday February 9, 2013, 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Audubon’s Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield            

 Fee: $25.00/person
 
This workshop will inspire teachers to incorporate innovation and creativity in their classrooms by blending science, art, and music teaching techniques. We will discuss the similarities among learning in the arts and sciences and how combining the two can enhance learning in the classroom. The workshop will include hands-on activities and experiments that address life science and physical science standards while building in art connections to advance innovative thinking and problem solving skills. Come prepared to have fun! Participants will receive a packet of the activities and resources they can use in their classrooms. These activities are mostly geared toward upper elementary and middle school students.  Snacks will be provided.
 
Earth Science Made Easy
Saturday, March 30, 2013,  9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Audubon’s Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield             

Fee: $25.00/person

Come learn techniques and activities for using your schoolyard or local park to engage your students in Earth Science lessons. We will discuss the basics of rock sorting and the rock cycle, mineral testing and special properties, and do some observation exercises to help us think about rocks like a schoolchild might. We will also include a literacy connection. Then we’ll head outside to conduct some field tests on the different soils found at our wildlife refuge. Using the scientific method and inquiry based experiences, we will discover how the landscape was shaped by geologic processes on this incredible planet Earth. Snacks will be provided.
 
 
Maxwell Mays Interpretive Trail Introductory Workshop
Saturday, April 13, 2013, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Audubon’s Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, Coventry                                   

Fee:  Free
 
Audubon will be hosting an introductory workshop on our newest wildlife refuge, Maxwell Mays in Coventry. Join a guided walk of the new interpretive trail and engage in demonstrations of sample activities. All participants will receive a copy of the trail curriculum. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how this diverse landscape can enhance your classroom curriculum.
 
Science Inquiry in your Schoolyard
Saturday, May 11, 2013, 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Audubon’s Environmental Education Center, Bristol                        

Fee: $25.00/person
 
There are rich lessons waiting for your students just outside the school door. Let Audubon help you utilize the schoolyard as an outdoor extension of your classroom. This workshop will give you the knowledge and tools to confidently engage your students in outdoor science inquiry. By incorporating the schoolyard into your lesson, you add real world applications and help your students to develop scientific and critical-thinking skills. All participants will receive professional development credits along with a resource packet. Snacks will be provided.
 

To register, please call 401- 949-5454 ext 3014 or ext 3113, or e-mail us at education@asri.org.

Participants in ALL workshops are eligible for professional development credits.