ECHO education programs model inquiry-based teaching by facilitating
student activities, prompting investigations, and encouraging dialogue
during intentional exhibit exploration. All ECHO programs are linked to
Vermont Science Standards and Grade Expectations.
Programs with a ? are newly-designed
INQUIRY PROGRAMS:
AVAILABLE Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 10:00 a.m.
- 1:00 p.m. September – April ONLY.
2 ECHO Staff facilitate your experience for up to 60
students on the same program topic.
ECHO Inquiry Treks actively engage students and adult
chaperones as they explore exhibits.
Includes orientation, interactive stations, and a closing
assessment with time for your lunch break.
Programs with an ! are THEMATIC PROGRAMS:
AVAILABLE Monday - Friday with flexible times throughout
the year.
1 ECHO Staff will teach your program for up to 25 students.
Includes lecture, activities and/or demonstrations.
? Marsh Madness: What’s a naturalist?
Where are wetlands? Who lives in this habitat? more ? Creature Feature: What makes animals unique? How
do scientists group animals? more
Grades 3-6
? Tricky Travelers: What are invasive species? How
do
animals adapt and survive? more ! Hands on the Land: How have humans changed the
Lake Champlain Basin? How do you connect? more ! Rock and Roll Basin Geology: How do artifacts and
geologic clues tell the story of the Lake? more
Grades 5-8
? Water Wizards: What are the properties of water?
How can we protect water resources? more ! Climate Conundrum: How can animals indicate
climate change? What choices can people make to respond to this global
issue? more
Grades 5-12
! Voices for the Lake: What issues face Lake
Champlain? How might students voice their opinions and vote for change?
more ! L.E.E.D. Tour: What makes ECHO an eco-friendly
building? What ideas could work at home? ! Eco-Footprint: How can people reduce their impact
on the earth? ! Aqua Action: Where IS water? Explore the drama of
the Lake Champlain stewardship.
Grades 8-12
! Lake Champlain Live! Board the Melosira,
UVM’s research vessel and use real tools and techniques in
lake research. more
ECHO SELF-GUIDED PROGRAMS
Schools that choose a self-guided field trip can experience all the fun
of ECHO with support from our seasoned volunteer crew:
ECHO Encounters: movie shorts, games, crafts, experiments,
activities and tours.
Daily Animal Feedings and Demonstrations – 10:30
a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
ECHO Treks – Guided experiences through ECHO
exhibits.
Lake Champlain Basin Program Resource Room Open Daily 10:00
a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Preschool Programs – Tuesdays and Fridays at
11:00 a.m.
PRE AND POST ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHERS
Click here for suggested pre and post classroom activities,
additional
field trips, and program bibliographies. This page is updated
periodically. Send us your suggestions!
PRE-SCHOOL GROUPS
ECHO offers two programs to preschool groups. Both are led by
ECHO’s preschool educator, Barbara Anne Komons-Montroll.
These are open to the public and free with ECHO admission.
Pre-registration is required for preschool groups.
Storytime with a Twist: Tuesdays at 11 a.m.
Children from 2 - 7 years old and their adult caregiver will be led
through an active hour of stories, songs, yoga and crafts linking young
minds to the wonders of nature. Pint Size Science: Fridays at 11 a.m. Children from
2 - 7 years old and their adult caregiver enjoy songs about nature,
games and hands-on activities in science. Come join young peers for a
session of "on the go" science where learning is about inquiry.
HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS
ECHO's Education Team respects the unique teaching challenges and
independent nature of home schooling families. We strongly encourage
home schooling families to plan a trip to ECHO with other students of
similar age and interests so that they may take part in our staff-led
school programs. We urge you to make yourselves known to us by sending
an email to Tracy
Truzansky
ECHO is happy to help customize a visit for high school, college and
university students. We welcome the opportunity for more advanced
exploration and discussion with high school and college groups. For
more information please contact Tracy Truzansky.
Possible Presentations and Discussion Topics
Benefits of partnering with a science center for
pre-service
teachers.
Orientation to informal education in science centers.
Public speaking and inquiry-based teaching.
Access issues in public educational institutions.
Opportunities for Personal Growth at ECHO
Internships, Work-Study, Service Learning, Project
Graduation and Volunteerism.
Linking field work, lab work and communicating results into
public education.
Leadership through developing programs for Special Events,
Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H, Preschool or After School Programs.
