This professional training increases teacher understanding of estuary science and how to engage students in the investigation of changes in their local environments, using data from the Reserve’s monitoring programs. Through TOTE, teachers and students interact with scientists, discover information about local environmental issues, and participate in field trips and community conservation projects. Learn more!

If you are a teacher looking for online resources to help build lesson plans, this list includes sites from a variety of oganizations.

Come explore the amazing natural world of the Great Bay Estuary! We invite you and your class to delve “hands-first” into an interactive experience that will broaden your students’ understanding of the natural and cultural history of the region. There is a $4.00 per student charge for our school programs and $4.00 per parent chaperone.

We offer both Fall Cultural History (September to October) and Spring Natural History (April to June) field trips led by trained volunteer educators and Center staff. While our programs target 3rd-5th grade students, we can also accommodate older and younger students. Up to 72 students with chaperones can attend each session, and sessions are 2½ to 3 hours long. Most activities are held outdoors at the Center rain or shine. Reservations are required several months in advance and programs fill quickly. Please call the Center for details.

Education programs incorporate science based concepts that meet New Hampshire K-12 Science Curriculum Frameworks in the following areas: Curriculum Standards 3a., 3b., 3c., 4c., 6a., and 6b.

If you are a teacher or school administrator interested in booking a school field trip please contact Beth for more information.

The Discovery Center offers a unique Great Bay environmental heritage program in September and October. These activities encompass many of the N.H. Social Studies curriculum standards for 2nd through 5th grade as outlined in the Great Bay Discovery Center Fall Program teacher resources . Each 3-hour field trip includes the following activities:

• Bounty of the Bay
  Through an interactive first person account of natural resource utilization of the Great Bay area, students will tour our newly-opened Great Bay Special Collections room located in the basement of the Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center. This activity focuses on the tools that were used for the harvesting of wildlife through trapping, waterfowling, ice fishing, and shellfishing.
• Trail of the Arrowhead
  Did you know that the Great Bay Discovery Center is located at a spot along the edge of Great Bay that was once used by the Msquamskek people over 400 years ago? Come along and follow the “Trail of the Arrowhead.” A guide will lead your students on a discovery walk where they will learn about native plants and animals along the way. Students will travel “back in time” as they visit an Abanaki-style fishing encampment. While in camp they will have a chance to taste smoked fish, a staple in the diet of the Pennacook and Abanaki Nations that once fished Great Bay.
• Tom Wiggin, Salt Marsh Farm Boy
  Sit on the shore of Great Bay and listen to the story of Tom Wiggin, a fictitious character based on a real family that lived on Great Bay many years ago. Back in the 1800s, farmers cut salt marsh hay to feed their livestock. In this activity, your students will see real tools that were used for harvesting the hay and learn how they kept it dry at high tide. Make sure to try a taste of switchel before you leave!
• Great Bay Country Store
  Gundalow boats were the first “tractor trailers” of Great Bay. They carried everyday products to many ports around the Piscataqua Basin. Products like cloth, flour, smoked fish, and sugar would then be distributed to country stores where could be purchased or traded. Join us in our own “Great Bay Country Store” to learn where these local products came from. After we make our purchases, we will climb aboard the “Driftwood II,” a dry-docked model Gundalow for a time of exploration and hands-on learning.

Teacher Resources:

• General Resources About Great Bay’s Cultural History:
  • Great Bay Estuary Cultural History
  • Vocabulary List
  • Humans and Nature of Great Bay, an Environmental Time Line
  • Switchel Recipe
  • Great Bay Treasures Booklet
    • You can also request hard copies of this booklet from Beth.
• Native American Related Resources:
  • Great Bay Food Eaten by Native Americans
  • The Story of Chipmunk and Bear
  • Cherokee Butterbean Game
  • What the Indians Ate
• Gundalow Related Resources:
  • A Gundalow Voyage Game
  • Gundalow Activities
  • Trees that Make the Gundalow Booklet
• Great Bay Pursuit: Cultural Edition– This is a giant floor trivia game featuring questions with answers that come from what students learn on their field trip day.  Designed to be played after as a wrap up, but could be played before in preparation for the field trip. Can be played with the whole class divided into teams or as individuals.  Contact Beth Heckman to sign out for your class.  Pick up is at the Great Bay Discovery Center.