Teaching the next generation of park stewards
Piscataway Park is a living classroom where generations come together to learn about the environment and the role that people play in shaping the landscape. Our education programs promote regenerative agriculture and agroforestry through inclusive, hands-on visitor engagement, scholarly research, and presentations. Incorporated into every experience is a recognition of community needs, historical context, indigenous knowledge, and farmer expertise.
Experience Piscataway Park
Educator-led PreK-12 adventures
Eco Explorers:
Colonial Time Warp
As members of a specially appointed Eco-Explorer team, students engage in a mission to save Earth and change the course of history. A well-meaning group of time travelers has taken modern items back to the 18th-century Bolton Farm in Piscataway Park. Students will travel back in time to find the modern objects and determine whether leaving them on the Bolton Farm is the best decision for the planet and its inhabitants. Students learn that, while we cannot travel back in time and change the past, making eco-friendly decisions today gives them the power to change the future.
On-Site
Duration: 2-2.5 hours
Grade level: 2-8
Cost: $10/student; $8/student Title I
(2 free adult admissions for every 15 students; additional adults $10/each)
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This program introduces/discusses challenging topics such as slavery, colonial life, climate change, and pollution.
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This program includes a virtual post visit to help students unpack the topic of Chattel slavery introduced during the tour.
Heritage Breed
Livestock Tour
You’ve heard of endangered species in the wild, but how about on a farm? Get up close and personal with the endangered heritage breed livestock of Piscataway Park. Discover their role in saving the planet and how their DNA preserves biodiversity. Includes a hands-on activity/game.
On-Site
Duration: 90 minutes
Grade level: K-6
Cost: $10/student; $8/student Title I
(2 free adult admissions for every 15 students; additional adults $10/each)
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National Colonial Farm Tour
What was life really like in 18th-century Maryland for the people who lived there? Explore the historic buildings on the National Colonial Farm, see what’s growing in the kitchen garden, and learn about the role of livestock on a middle-class tobacco farm. Learn about the challenges and triumphs experienced by those farming tobacco in the tidewater region, including those who were forced from/to this land. Includes a hands-on activity/game.
On-Site
Duration: 90 minutes
Grade level: 1-12
Cost: $10/student; $8/student Title I
(2 free adult admissions for every 15 students; additional adults $10/each)
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This tour introduces/discusses challenging historical topics such as slavery, colonialism, ethnic and race-based oppression, land seizure, and tobacco culture.
Nature Hikes
We have 2 great nature hikes available to get your students outdoors and exploring Piscataway Park!
Sensory Hike
Awaken your senses by exploring the natural wonders of Piscataway Park through sight, smell, sound, and touch. From tidal wetlands to woodlands, this experience will increase your knowledge of the flora and fauna in the park. Includes a hands-on activity/game.
Best suited for 1-4th graders.
Native Tree ID
From tidal wetlands to woodlands, this guided experience will increase your knowledge of the native flora and fauna in the park as well as its indigenous cultural significance both past and present. Participants will walk through one of the 6 Piscataway Park trails and discover trees and other plants indigenous to Piscataway Park, learning and using key identification techniques to identify plants significant to the Piscataway People both past and present.
Best suited for 3-12th graders.
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This tour introduces/discusses challenging historical topics such as colonialism, ethnic and race-based oppression, land seizure, climate change, and tobacco culture.
On-Site
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: $10/student; $8/student Title I
(2 free adult admissions for every 15 students; additional adults $10/each)
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Heritage Breed
Livestock Tour
You’ve heard of endangered species in the wild, but how about on a farm? Get virtually up close and personal with the endangered heritage breed livestock of Piscataway Park. Discover the role they play in saving the planet and how their DNA preserves biodiversity. Includes a hands-on activity/game.
Virtual
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Grade level: K-6
Cost: $10/student; $8/student Title I
(2 free adult admissions for every 15 students; additional adults $10/each)
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Storytime at Piscataway Park
Storytime at Piscataway Park allow students to explore and learn through read-alouds, movement, music, and exploration. We have a range of programs geared towards ages 2-6 years old, where students can come onsite and learn about the historical, cultural, and environmental significance of Piscataway Park.
Choose from one of our 4 themed Storytime programs:
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Seeds and Soil
Come learn about the importance of healthy soil and its role in helping us stay healthy. Experience Piscataway Park from the ground up.
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The Lives of Colonial Children
Come explore life for children during the 18th century on a tobacco farm. Experience their lives through work and play.
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The (Wild) Animals of Piscataway Park
Come explore the lives of Piscataway Park's native (and non-native) wildlife. Observe their habitats and learn about what they need to survive.
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A Sense of Stewardship
People have shaped this landscape for thousands of years. Learn about their and your choices' impact and how to be a good steward of the earth for generations to come.
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Onsite, Virtual, or In-School
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Grade level: Preschool-1st
Cost: $10/student; $8/student Title I
(2 free adult admissions for every 15 students; additional adults $10/each)
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Self-Guided School Tour Offerings
Now you can explore the Piscataway Park and the National Colonial Farm at your own pace, while never leaving the classroom. Provide us with a few details and your class can access two different pre-recorded Eco-Explorer tours at no cost to your school. Complete the survey below and we'll send you an access link.
Eco-Explorers: Colonial Time Warp
As members of a specially appointed virtual Eco-Explorer team, students engage in a mission to save Earth and change the course of history. A well-meaning group of time travelers has taken modern items back to the 18th century Bolton Farm in Piscataway Park. Students will travel back in time to find the modern objects and determine whether leaving them on the Bolton Farm is the best decision for the planet and its inhabitants. Students learn that, while we cannot travel back in time and change the past, making eco-friendly decisions today gives them the power to change the future.
(Uses Google Earth & Google Forms platforms, as well as YouTube, to present the tour)
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Grade Level: 4-6
Time to complete: 2 hours
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This program introduces/discusses challenging topics such as slavery, colonial life, climate change, pollution, and food access.
Eco-Explorers: Land Over Time
Students will explore past decisions and actions that have directly and indirectly impacted the land over time and learn about their cultural, environmental, and social ripple effects. Ultimately, students will discover the importance of learning from the past to make better decisions for the future.
(Uses Google Earth and Google Forms platforms, as well as YouTube, to present the tour).
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Grade Level: 4-6
Time to complete: 2 hours
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This program introduces/discusses challenging topics such as oppression of indigenous people, colonial life, climate change, stewardship ethics, and pollution.