School Programs

The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum (CHA) offers field trips and classroom programs for grades Pre-K-5. Each lesson has been designed to correlate to NJCCCS and supplement science curriculum as schools implement the NGSS. Students learn about a nature-themed topic through observation, discussion, teamwork, and hands-on activities.

Field Trips

Our 90 minute field trips are conducted 50% indoors and 50% outdoors, unless otherwise specified. Please ensure that students dress for the weather as they will be outdoors in various weather conditions. Field trips are available Monday through Friday from 9:30am-11:00am or 12:30pm-2:00pm (flexible with bus/lunch schedules). Field trips are $6 per student with a $50 minimum.

Classroom Programs

Our 30-60 minute classroom programs are conducted at the school. Teachers should decide if the program will take place indoors or outdoors and inform the CHA in advance. Classroom programs are available Monday through Friday at a time agreed upon by the CHA and participating teachers.

 

For information on scheduling and fees, please e-mail info@hartshornarboretum.org or call 973-376-3587.

 

Program Topics

  • Introduction to senses
  • Animal use of senses
  • Investigation of senses
  • Parts of a tree
  • Tree functions
  • Tree investigation
  • Difference between living and non-living things
  • Flower anatomy
  • Seed making and distribution process
  • Flower investigation
  • Role of Pollinators
  • Soil Structure
  • Investigate soil types
  • Soil as a Habitat
  • Introduction to Compost
  • Arthropod classification
  • Insect ecology
  • Arthropod investigation
  • Adaptations
  • Habitats
  • Identification
  • Habitat needs to support life
  • Micro-habitat exploration
  • Animal life-cycles
  • Overpopulation
  • How rocks are formed
  • Using dichotomous key
  • Outdoor identification of local geological formations

Looking for a topic that isn’t listed? Contact us, we welcome topic ideas and suggestions for improvement.