Four Winds Nature Institute Programs

An Overview of Our Educational Programs

Four Winds encourages learners of all ages to look at the familiar with new eyes -- the shape of a leaf, the texture of a caterpillar, the design of a flower. Sitting quietly in a field listening to insects singing, exploring life in a pond by wading in and turning over rocks, examining the forest floor by digging under the leaf litter and smelling the rich earth, we learn about the world around us through active exploration. Four Winds educators want to help you learn about nature in your community.

 

The Nature Program

Four Winds's Nature Program offers monthly two-hour natural science workshops for adults interested in sharing their love of nature with elementary school children. With engaging indoor and outdoor activities and explorations, adults give young students an opportunity to study nature in their own schoolyard and neighborhood. Children learn important science concepts and practice science skills such as asking questions, making observations, recording data, and communicating information.

 

The Nature Program examines five key science standards, with eight workshops per year addressing the different concepts:

For school year 2008-09, schools in Vermont and New Hampshire's Upper Valley area may choose from these options:

  • 6 monthly two-hour workshops for adults ..... $2365;
  • 8 monthly two-hour workshops for adults ..... $3150.

Smaller schools may choose to share workshops. Though the total cost per workshop increases given the duplicate sets of materials, the cost to individual schools is reduced. For 2 schools sharing eight workshops, the total cost is $3675; for 3 schools sharing eight workshops, the total cost is $4200; and for 4 schools sharing the eight monthly workshops the total cost is $4725. Schools may split the total cost evenly among the partners or apportion according to the number of students served by the program.

 

Professional Development for Educators

Four Winds staff members serve as content specialists for classroom teachers, early childhood professionals, camp counselors, homeschool educators, after school program providers and others by assisting them in the development of inquiry-based, hands-on natural science explorations. Four Winds professional development programs connect educators with scientists and researchers to improve field investigations and science skills as well as content understanding.

 

Knee High Nature -- for early childhood professionals

A nature study curriculum designed to increase children's awareness of, curiosity about, and appreciation of the natural world through investigation, creative and interactive play, and direct outdoor experiences.