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School Programs

The New Britain Youth Museum (NBYM) and Hungerford Nature Center (HNC) are connected as part of the same organization and work to inspire creativity, engage visitors in playful learning, and develop stewardship for nature and the environment. Educational programs are interactive and grounded in inquiry and discovery.

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  • The New Britain Youth Museum (30 High Street, New Britain), can accommodate up to 40 young children per day. Note: the second floor is only accessible via stairs. This may impact the amount of children we can accommodate. 

  • The Hungerford Nature Center can accommodate between 60-90 students per day (season dependent due to utilization of outdoor spaces)

 

Hungerford Nature Center Quick Programs Overview: 

 

PreK-2nd grade

  • 45 minutes, $100 up to 20 students. Additional students (up to a total of 25 students), $10 each. 

  • Includes admission to all indoor and outdoor exhibits, playscapes, and trail network).

  • Multiple programs discounted to $90 each additional program

  • 1 adult (free) is required for every 10 students. Additional adults are $10 each.

 

Offsite: 

PreK-2nd grade

  • 45 minutes, $100 up to 20 students.  Additional students (up to a total of 25 students), $10 each. 

  • Multiple programs discounted to $90 each additional

  • Travel charge: $50 travel/set up fee plus $67 cents per mile fee. 

  • All adults are free

  • Includes “Visit Us” coupon for each registered student 

 

Onsite:  

3rd grade -12th grade

  • 50 minutes, $130 up to 25 students. Additional students (up to a total of 30 students), $10 each. 

  • Multiple programs discounted to $110 each additional. 

  • Includes admission to all indoor and outdoor exhibits, playscapes, and trail network).

  • 1 adult (free) is required for every 10 students. Additional adults are $10 each.

  • 1 free, self guided program/activity with the purchase of at least one 50 minute program

  • Follow up activity

  • Teacher Appreciation Certificate

 

Offsite: 

3rd grade -12th grade

  • 60 minutes, $130 up to 25 students. Additional students (up to a total of 30 students), $10 each. 

  • Travel charge: $50 travel/set up fee plus $67 cents per mile fee. 

  • Multiple programs discounted to $110 each. 

  • All adults are free

  • Includes “Visit Us” coupon for each registered student 

 

Please see the list of all available programs below. Custom programs are also available. Please contact our education department at jasonbrown@nbymhnc.org or 860-483-2197 with questions.

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TO SCHEDULE A PROGRAM

 

We recommend scheduling your program at least two months in advance and require at least 2 weeks notice. Contact the Education Department at jasonbrown@nbymhnc.org or 860-483-2197. Please provide your school name, grade level, number of students, contact information, program of interest, requested date (please give 3 dates), and requested start and end time.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Payment

Payment in full is due at least two weeks prior to program date and can be made by check or by credit card. If the program is being booked within two weeks of the program delivery, full payment with a credit card must be made at the time of booking. 

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Additional registrations may be purchased on the day of your visit but not to exceed allowable students per program. All programs include a 50% non refundable deposit which will be retained if you cancel (rather than postpone/reschedule) within 14 days of the scheduled program date. If the NBYM/HNC cancels for any reason, you may choose to receive a full refund or reschedule your program(s). In case of weather events, Hungerford Nature Center will follow the cancellation/delay/late opening schedule of the New Britain Consolidated School system.

 

All payments are payable to the New Britain Youth Museum/Hungerford Nature Center, Attn: Education Department. 191 Farmington Ave, Kensington, CT 06037.

 

Access Scholarships

The NBYM/HNC has a small scholarship fund intended to expand access to our programming. Contact the Education Department at jasonbrown@nbymhnc.org or 860-483-2197 to learn if your school qualifies for this fund.

 

Lunch

Only outdoor spaces may be available for lunch. We have a covered pavilion that may be reserved. Students should bring brown-bag lunches (refrigeration is not available). We do not have food services on site but local eateries may offer discounts to school groups.

 

 

Busses, drop off/pick up, and parking

Our address is 191 Farmington Ave., Kensington, Ave., 06037.

School and coach buses should drop off, park, and pick up in the auxiliary parking lot. 

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We are happy to provide your bus driver a complimentary admission to explore the Hungerford Nature Center during your school visit. Passenger vans may park in our main parking lot

Pre K—K  Programs

 

Watch Me Go

We will discover how legs, wings, fins and more help our live animal friends find food,  water and stay safe.

 

A Sprout Sized Green Thumb

From  the smallest flower to the tallest tree, plants have a story to tell.  We will examine the life cycle of plants, plus some of the weird and wild ways plants protect themselves and survive.  You will be given a plant for your students to watch grow and develop right in their classroom!

 

It’s Alive!

Our planet is full of animals, plants and insects.  We will investigate different types of animals, plants and insects to see what makes them similar and different from each other.

 

Makes Sense

We have five wonderful senses and we will discover what they are and how we use them.  This interactive program will help students better understand how our senses help us and how they help animals.

 

Where Do You Live?

Come with us as we explore different Connecticut habitats.  Our interactive and hands on program will help students think about the habitats around them and the animals they might find in each one.

 

 

Story Time Series

K- 1st Grade

Sit, listen and relax as a story is brought to life right inside your classroom.  Fun puppets are used and some friends from the book will be along. 

 

Available Books:

The Mitten: We will explore how animals stay warm in the winter by seeking shelter and using their bodies.  We will also meet two friends who use different strategies to keep warm.

 

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn: Take a walk with us as we say good bye to summer, hello to autumn and what happens outside as autumn comes to be.    

 

Very Hungry Caterpillar: Dive into the world of the very hungry caterpillar as we watch him grow and change into a beautiful butterfly.  We will also meet two friends who start life in an egg. 

 

Mouse’s First Spring: With winter melting away, signs of spring start to appear all around us.  Let’s talk about what happens as spring emerges in CT.

K-5th Grade Programs

 

Creatures of the World Series

Mammals

K – 5th

NGSS: ESS2.E, LS1.A-C-D

Explore the class Mammalia, which contains so many interesting animals and their adaptations for survival.

 

Birds and Insects

K – 5th

NGSS: ESS2.E, LS1.A-C-D

Birds and bugs!  Not quite cookies and milk, but both are fascinating none the less.  Let us breakdown both groups and find out what makes them both unique.

 

Reptiles

K – 5th

NGSS: ESS2.E, LS1.A-C-D

Our scaly friends can not wait to meet you.  We will look at snakes, lizards and turtles and all the incredible adaptations that have helped them survive since prehistoric times.

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Locomotion in Nature

K – 5th

NGSS: LS1.A-D, PS2.A

The world is moving all around us and we will jump in to explore how different creatures move in it.

 

A Place Called Home

K – 5th

NGSS: LS1.A-C, ESS3.A, LS4.D

What is a habitat?  Come along and find out with this interactive program that will help students think about the habitats around them and the animals they might find in each one.

 

Backyard Nature

K – 5th

NGSS: ESS2.E, ESS3.C, LS4.D

We call Connecticut home and so does a wide variety of wildlife.  Learn what is living in our backyards as well as how we impact their habitat.

 

Farm to Table

K – 5th

NGSS: 

Learn where our food comes from and how to eat healthier.  We will also talk about how to grow your own garden.

How Does That Work?

1st – 5th

NGSS: LS1. A-C-D, ESS2.E

Organisms across the planet have different adaptations that help them and their species.   We will look at what they are and how some plants, animals and insects are using these traits to survive.

 

Little Botanists

1st – 5th

NGSS: LS1. A-B-C, LS2. A

Let us deep dive into the world of plants.  What are their parts?  How do they grow? How do we use them?  All answered and more.

 

Growth and Change

Come learn about how different organisms develop from youth to adult. We will explore plants, insects, animals and how they differ in their life cycles.

 

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The following Environmental Programs are offered only at our Center.

 

Sensory Saunter

Look, listen, touch and smell your way through our trails as we venture out to explore the natural world around us.

 

Barnyard Blitz

Get up close with a cow, sheep and other barnyard friends as we dive into the word of farms.

 

Maple Sugaring

Learn the process and history behind the golden syrup that we love so much on our pancakes.

 

Pond Study

"Dive" into the world in and around our pond.  Frogs, turtles, birds and the creatures from beneath the surface will be studied and discussed during this hands-on program. 

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