SERC Spring Programs

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Spring 2013 Programs

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) is open to the public

Monday-Saturday from 9:00 am-4:30 pm.

Public programs are designed for individuals and families.  Additional programs are available for schools and organized groups.  Check our website at www.serc.si.edu for a list of age-appropriate environmental education programs, information about trails, and upcoming events.  Call (443) 482.2388 for inquiries about programs for organized groups and (443) 482.2216 for inquiries about school programs.

All programs meet at the Reed Education Center. Directions to SERC can be found online at www.serc.si.edu. Registration is online only at www.serc.si.edu. Click on the public calendar. There you will see the specific link to register for your class or for multiple classes. Simply cut and paste the link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts. 

SPRING 2013

Expanded Descriptions are Below

 

March

Wednesday, 13^th- Puddle Stompers: Birds Outside My Window (10-11 am, 1:30-2:30 pm)

Wednesday, 27^th- Puddle Stompers: Groundhog in the Garden (10-11 am, 1:30-2:30 pm)

Saturday, 30^th- Canoe Excursion (9-11:30 am)

Citizen Science: Family Fun Butterfly Surveys (1:30-3:30 pm)

April

Wednesday, 10^th- Puddle Stompers: Flowers and Bulbs, Come Plant in the Garden (10-11 am, 1:30-2:30 pm)

Saturday, 13^th- Canoe Excursion (9-11:30 am)

                        Fish of the Chesapeake & Gyotaku Japanese Fish Print Making Workshop (1-2:30 pm)

Saturday, 20^th-Citizen Science: Family Fun Butterfly Surveys (10 -Noon)

Wednesday 24^th- Puddle Stompers: Rain and Water (10-11 am, 1:30-2:30 pm)

Saturday, 27^th- Canoe Excursion (9-11:30 am)

May

Saturday, 4^th- Citizen Science: Invasive Species Plant Survey (10 am-Noon)

Wednesday, 8^th - Puddle Stompers: Butterflies (10-11 am, 1:30-2:30 pm)

Saturday, 11^th- Canoe Excursion (9-11:30 am)

                        Citizen Science: Invasive Species Plant Survey (10 am-Noon)

Saturday, 18^th & Sunday, 19^th- SERC Science on the Bay Spring Family Days (10 am-2 pm)

Saturday, 25^th- Canoe Excursion (9-11:30 am)

Wednesday, 29^th- Puddle Stompers: Croak and Hop (10-11 am, 1:30-2:30 pm)

March

Pre-K Parent-Child Program

Puddle Stompers (Pre-K): Birds Outside My Window

Wednesday, March 13^th (10-11 am & 1:30-2:30 pm)

These programs are for children ages 3-5 yrs. All classes are $8 a student and siblings are $4 a student (sibling ages 1-2 yrs. or 6+ yrs.).  Registration is on line only at www.serc.si.edu. Click on the public calendar there you will see the specific link to register for your class or for multiple classes. Simply cut and paste the link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts.  Birds Outside My Window: Come explore the world of birds that can be seen right outside your window. We’ll learn bird anatomy and how to identify some basic birds.

Pre-K Parent-Child Program

Puddle Stompers (Pre-K): Groundhog in the Garden

Wednesday, March 27^th (10-11 am & 1:30-2:30 pm)

These programs are for children ages 3-5 yrs. All classes are $8 a student and siblings are $4 a student (sibling ages 1-2 yrs. or 6+ yrs.).  Registration is on line only at www.serc.si.edu. Click on the public calendar there you will see the specific link to register for your class or for multiple classes. Simply cut and paste the link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts. Groundhog in the Garden: Groundhogs are emerging for Spring and getting into the garden. We’ll ready a fun story and learn about how gardens grow.

Family Canoe Trip

Canoe Excursion

Saturday, March 30^th (9-11:30 am)

Paddle along the shores of Muddy Creek and the Rhode River to learn about one of the many tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. We’ll look for wildlife, eagles, shorebirds, reptiles, and more. This trip is designed for beginning and intermediate paddlers. Basic instruction will be given at the start of the program.  Cost is $16 per adult and $8 for children 6-12 years old; limited to 16 participants. Preregistration is required. Go to www.serc.si.edu and click on the public calendar.  There you will see the specific link to register for your class. Simply cut and paste this link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts. 

Family Program

Citizen Science: Family Fun Butterfly Surveys

Saturday, March 30^th (1:30-3:30 pm)

Come learn the basics of butterfly identification and how to catch them properly. We’ll teach you how to group butterflies, narrow down identification, and how to use field guides. Suggested for ages 10+. Free, but preregistration is required go to www.serc.si.edu and click on the public calendar. There you will see the specific link to register for your class. Simply cut and paste this link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts. 

April

Pre-K Parent-Child Program

Puddle Stompers (Pre-K): Flowers and Bulbs, Come Plant in the Garden

Wednesday, April 10^th (10-11 am & 1:30-2:30 pm)

These programs are for children ages 3-5 yrs. All classes are $8 a student and siblings are $4 a student (sibling ages 1-2 yrs. or 6+ yrs.).  Registration is on line only at www.serc.si.edu. Click on the public calendar there you will see the specific link to register for your class or for multiple classes. Simply cut and paste the link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts. Flowers and Bulbs: Discover the world of flowers and bulbs in this fun hands-on class. We’ll learn the difference between seeds and bulbs and plant some bulbs in our garden.    

Family Canoe Trip

Canoe Excursion

Saturday, April 13^th (9-11:30 am)

Paddle along the shores of Muddy Creek and the Rhode River to learn about one of the many tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. We’ll look for wildlife, eagles, shorebirds, reptiles, and more. This trip is designed for beginning and intermediate paddlers. Basic instruction will be given at the start of the program.  Cost is $16 per adult and $8 for children 6-12 years old; limited to 16 participants. Preregistration is required. Go to www.serc.si.edu and click on the public calendar.  There you will see the specific link to register for your class. Simply cut and paste this link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts.

Family Program

Fish of the Chesapeake & Gyotaku Japanese Fish Print Making Workshop

Saturday, April 13^th (1-2:30 pm)

In this workshop we will explore the shape and form of some of the fish of the Chesapeake Bay. We will then learn about the traditional Japanese art form of Gyotaku, making fish prints from real fish. Participants will try their hand using rice paper though you may also bring shirts or other fabrics to make prints on. Suggested for ages 8 and older, cost is $12 per per adult and $8 for children ages 8-12 yrs. Preregistration is required go to www.serc.si.edu and click on the public calendar. There you will see the specific link to register for your class. Simply cut and paste this link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts. 

Family Program

Family Fun Butterfly Survey 

Saturday, April 20^th (10 am-Noon)

Come learn the basics of butterfly identification and how to catch them propertly. We’ll teach you how to group butterflies, narrow down identification, and how to use field guides. Suggested for ages 10+. Free, but preregistration is required go to www.serc.si.edu and click on the public calendar. There you will see the specific link to register for your class. Simply cut and paste this link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts. 

Pre-K Parent-Child Program

Puddle Stompers (Pre-K): Rain and Water

Wednesday, April 24^th (10-11 am & 1:30-2:30 pm)

These programs are for children ages 3-5 yrs. All classes are $8 a student and siblings are $4 a student (sibling ages 1-2 yrs. or 6+ yrs.).  Registration is on line only at www.serc.si.edu. Click on the public calendar there you will see the specific link to register for your class or for multiple classes. Simply cut and paste the link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts. Rain and Water: Water is important for all life. In this class we’ll learn why it rains and how rain helps the Earth and animals through interactive games and fun.

Family Canoe Trip

Canoe Excursion

Saturday, April 27^th (9-11:30 am)

Paddle along the shores of Muddy Creek and the Rhode River to learn about one of the many tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. We’ll look for wildlife, eagles, shorebirds, reptiles, and more. This trip is designed for beginning and intermediate paddlers. Basic instruction will be given at the start of the program.  Cost is $16 per adult and $8 for children 6-12 years old; limited to 16 participants. Preregistration is required. Go to www.serc.si.edu and click on the public calendar.  There you will see the specific link to register for your class. Simply cut and paste this link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts.

May

Adult Program

Invasive Species Plant Surveys

Saturday, May 4^th & 11^th (10 am-Noon)

Join Master Gardener David Gillum for an introduction on how to identify invasive species and how to survey the species found in our native forests. This can be a useful skill for learning what is in your own yard. Free, but preregistration is required go to www.serc.si.edu and click on the public calendar. There you will see the specific link to register for your class. Simply cut and paste this link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts. 

Pre-K Parent-Child Program

Puddle Stompers (Pre-K): Butterflies

Wednesday, May 8^th (10-11 am & 1:30-2:30 pm)

These programs are for children ages 3-5 yrs. All classes are $8 a student and siblings are $4 a student (sibling ages 1-2 yrs. or 6+ yrs.).  Registration is on line only at www.serc.si.edu. Click on the public calendar there you will see the specific link to register for your class or for multiple classes. Simply cut and paste the link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts. Butterflies: Spring is here and butterflies abound. We’ll learn all about our flying rainbow friends and see if we can find some outside.

Family Canoe Trip

Canoe Excursion

Saturday, May 11^th (9-11:30 am)

Paddle along the shores of Muddy Creek and the Rhode River to learn about one of the many tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. We’ll look for wildlife, eagles, shorebirds, reptiles, and more. This trip is designed for beginning and intermediate paddlers. Basic instruction will be given at the start of the program.  Cost is $16 per adult and $8 for children 6-12 years old; limited to 16 participants. Preregistration is required. Go to www.serc.si.edu and click on the public calendar.  There you will see the specific link to register for your class. Simply cut and paste this link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts.

Family Program

SERC Science on the Bay Spring Family Days

Saturday, May 18^th and Sunday May 19^th (10 am-2 pm)

Join us for SERC’s Open House, this year on two days! You can speak with world class SERC researchers, take a boat ride ($5/person), try your hand at crabbing or seining, do crafts, listen to music, watch a K-9 Search and Rescue demonstration, and much more. Registration will be online at www.serc.si.edu. The event is free but registration is required, parking is $5. Boat trips are also $5. Box lunches are also available for pre-order from Panera.

Pre-K Parent-Child Program

Puddle Stompers (Pre-K): Croak and Hop

Wednesday, May 29^th (10-11 am & 1:30-2:30 pm)

These programs are for children ages 3-5 yrs. All classes are $8 a student and siblings are $4 a student (sibling ages 1-2 yrs. or 6+ yrs.).  Registration is on line only at www.serc.si.edu. Click on the public calendar there you will see the specific link to register for your class or for multiple classes. Simply cut and paste the link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts. Croak and Hop: Frogs are singing from their ponds and hopping in the rain. In this class we’ll learn all about these croaking amphibians and how they use their songs.

Family Canoe Trip

Canoe Excursion

Saturday, May 25^th (9-11:30 am)

Paddle along the shores of Muddy Creek and the Rhode River to learn about one of the many tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. We’ll look for wildlife, eagles, shorebirds, reptiles, and more. This trip is designed for beginning and intermediate paddlers. Basic instruction will be given at the start of the program.  Cost is $16 per adult and $8 for children 6-12 years old; limited to 16 participants. Preregistration is required. Go to www.serc.si.edu and click on the public calendar.  There you will see the specific link to register for your class. Simply cut and paste this link into a separate window and follow the registration prompts.