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Peabody Mill Environmental Center
Programs for School Classes

The Peabody Mill Environmental Center, sponsored by the Amherst Conservation Commission, is located at the end of Brook Road in Amherst. The PMEC is adjacent to 600 acres of conservation land, with about 12 miles of well marked trails, ample parking, picnic tables, streams and ponds, a nature center with hands-on exhibits and the historic Peabody Mill foundation and sawyer's cottage. The PMEC is in the process of expanding. A 7,500 sq. foot addition is underway. Local classes have used the PMEC and grounds as an outdoor classroom for several years. Most carpool to us, but parking can accommodate buses. This opportunity is now being offered to other school districts on a first-come, first-served basis. The PMEC is also offering to send a naturalist to your classroom for certain programs. Classes available for the school room:$45 for the first class given and $40 for each successive class held at your school the same day. Offered all year long. Maximum 25 students in a group.
  1. Exploring Native Americans in New Hampshire (Four different lessons) Geared for grades 2-6, you may chose one or several of these 45 minute programs. See attached page. Available all year long.
  2. Where Do Insects Go in the Winter? Geared for grades 1-3. Review Insects (body parts, eyes, legs, wings, etc.), and play interactive game with some common insects - praying mantis, ladybug, monarch, firefly, bee, etc. Review at end of class is put to music. (45 min-1 hour). Nov. - Feb.
  3. What's Beneath Your Feet? Geared for K-1. Children will try to identify what is in dirt. Then magically make soil from materials the children choose to put into a bucket. Why soil is important will be discussed and a wall hanging containing creatures who live in and under the soil will be discussed. (45 min-1 hour). Good lead into a plant unit. Available all year long.
  4. Reptiles & Amphibians Geared for grades 1-4. Compare & contrast reptiles & amphibians using a huge collection of critter parts. Live specimens will be brought if they are available. (45 min-1 hour) September/early October & May & June.
  5. Ungulates A different way of looking at some common mammals. Geared for grades 2-6. Mammals with hoofed toes and usually horns and antlers and often multiple stomachs will be discussed using a large collection of "body parts". (45min-1 hour) Available all year long.
  6. Herbivore/Carnivore/Omnivore Geared for grades 2-5. Using a large skull collection, children will be able to see how the teeth and position of the eyes determine what a creature eats. Will review what makes a mammal what it is. (45 min-1 hour) Available all year long.
Classes offered at PMEC - Max 25 students per class - School yard option available for classes listed below if your school has the surrounding habitat to support the activity (an additional $20 charge to come to your school)
  1. Animal Tracking/Snowshoeing Geared for grades 2-5. Inside the center your class will be able to learn which animals are out and about in the winter and what track patterns they leave in the snow. Then on aluminum snowshoes and with tracking cards provided by the PMEC, the class and chaperones will explore the woods and practice what they learned while inside. (2 -2 1/2 hours) $90 Mid Dec. - Mid March
  2. Spring Birding Geared for grades 2-4. Inside the center your class will look at stuffed birds and learn how different beaks, feet and feathers help birds survive in their habitats. Outside each child will be supplied with a powerful pair of binoculars and bird identifying information and observe birds around the PMEC grounds. Nesting and migration will also be covered. 2-2 1/2 hours $90 PMEC can handle two classes at same time - flip-flopping activities - for a slightly reduced price. Mid April - June.
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