Seasonal Sessions 2008-2009
Living History Week
The Life and Work of the Honey Bee
September 16, 23 and 30, 2008
With the help of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, we are offering your students a fascinating look into the world of the honey bee. Through three different stations we will explore honey bee communication and life cycle, honey production and harvesting, pollination and the hive environment. This unique program will provide the opportunity to watch a beekeeper "work" a real hive of bees and taste the freshly gathered honey. Cost - $6 per student • Teachers/Aides Free • One chaperone per 10 students FREE • Extra chaperones pay student fee
Suggested Grade Level: 2nd - 12th
Program Length: 3 hours (9 a.m. - noon)
Harvest Heydays
October 8-10 and 15-17, 2008
Your class will enjoy an educational program full of fall harvest fun. This event centers around a visit to the pumpkin patch where each child will take home their very own pumpkin. There will also be a romp through the Amazing Maize Maze as well as many other fall-related activities such as corn pulling and cotton picking. Cost - $7 per student • Teachers/Aides Free • One chaperone per 10 students FREE • Extra chaperones pay student fee
Suggested Grade Level: 3P-8th
Program Length: 4 hours (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
Cane Grinding Day
October 24, 2008
This day is designed for school children to have the opportunity to step back in time and experience farm life in the early 1900s. Along with many hands-on activities, your class will follow the complete process of syrup-making from chopping sugar cane in the field to syrup sopping in the kitchen. Activities such as quilting, blacksmithing, butter churning and other traditional skills will be demonstrated. Cost - $7 per student • Teachers/Aides Free • One chaperone per 10 students FREE • Extra chaperones pay student fee
Suggested Grade Level: 3P-8th
Program Length: 4 hours (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
Living History Week
November 18-21, 2008
Give your students the experience of living and working on a Wiregrass Farmstead in the early 1900s. From hearth cooking, gardening and sewing, to wood splitting, fire building and animal care, the students will get the opportunity to visit the time period of their great-grandparents.
Costumed in period dress, students will be divided into small groups in order to participate in the different workstations. This half day program will conclude with lunch in the Waddell house prepared by the students, traditional games played in the yard, a wagon ride and ice cream cone served from the Martin Drug Store.
Due to the hands-on nature of this program, classes are limited to a maximum of 30 students. The fee is $10 per student. Teachers are free. No chaperones required.
Suggested Grade Level: 3rd-8th
Program Length: 4 hours (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
Christmas Past
December 1-19, 2008
Thinking of Christmas the way your grandparents described it to you? Your students can experience come of the same activities and emotions of this very special season with cider sipping and storytelling by the fireplace. The children will also be invited to play parlor games and construct old-fashioned ornaments they may take home. Due to the special nature of this program, groups will be limited to two classes per session. Cost - $6 per student • Teachers/Aides Free • One chaperone per 10 students FREE • Extra chaperones pay student fee
Suggested Grade Level: 3P-6th
Program Length: 1 1/2 hours (9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
Roaming Reptiles
Tuesdays and Wednesdays in January, 2009
During the month of January the education staff will bring the reptile program to you. The Eastern Indigo Snake, the largest snake native to North America, is the star of this program. With his help we will emphasize reptile characteristics as well as why this beautiful creature has become an endangered species. COST - $100 per program with a maximum of 60 students per program. Programs can be scheduled between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Programs outside Houston County will be charged an extra $.30 per mile. Home schools must register through the group coordinator.
Planetarium Special
January 2009
Visit our StarLab Planetarium for half price ($2 per student) during the month of January!
Aerospace Week
February 17-20, 2009
In recognition of Alabama Aerospace Week, treat your class to a day of high flying adventure and out of this world fun. They will participate in hands-on flight activities, a planetarium program focusing on the stars and constellations in our current night sky and a radio-controlled flight demonstration that is always a big hit. Cost - $6 per student • Teachers/Aides FREE • One chaperone per 10 students FREE • Extra chaperones pay student fee
Suggested Grade Level: 2nd-12th
Program Length: 4 hours (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
click here for photos of Aerospace Week
Rural Heritage Day
March 20, 2009
On this day the Wiregrass Farmstead will come to life with craftsmen and demonstrations. Your class will get a glimpse into the day-to-day life of a turn-of-the-century Wiregrass family. Sheep shearing, weaving, spinning and planting with mules are just a few of the spring time chores the students will witness and participate in. Cost - $7 per student • Teachers/Aides FREE • One chaperone per 10 students FREE • Extra chaperones pay student fee
Suggested Grade Level: 3P-12th
Program Length: 4 hours (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
Alabama: Legacy and Traditions
May 8, 2009
Come discover the old west, Wiregrass style. It will feature an exhibit on local celebrity, Johnny Mack Brown. Johnny Mack Brown was born in Dothan. He excelled as an athlete at Dothan High School and was an All-American halfback at the University of Alabama. He starred in over 165 western movies and television productions. During this program your students will learn about this local Hollywood star through films, costumes and photographs as well as experience the old west with tours of Native American artifacts, animal shows and much more. Cost - $6 per student • Teachers/Aides FREE • One chaperone per 10 students FREE • Extra chaperones pay student fee
Reservations are REQUIRED for all educational programs including seasonal sessions. Please call the education staff at 334-794-3452 for further details.
All home school families must register through the group coordinator.