K-12 Programs
The following programs are designed specifically for K-12 students.
See more information about the Education programs in our full brochure Here.
Ambassadors of the Everglades
3-part classroom/field program (two classroom periods, one half day field trip)
Grades 5-12
Ambassadors of the Everglades is an environmental education program that seeks to enhance Everglades knowledge and stewardship. A three-part program designed for grades 5-12, it helps inspire civic responsibility for our natural resources. After an initial classroom visit, where students learn the history of the Everglades and discuss the problems facing it, they take a half-day field trip to Torry Island in Lake Okeechobee to restore a historic pond apple forest that once thrived there. Students and teacher plant trees and explore wetland habitats. Following the trip, Foundation staff returns to the school to facilitate a reflective post-visit using FCAT-style questions to review what has been learned. Core themes include Florida’s geologic history and Everglades formation, the importance of wetlands, ecological functions, human changes to the natural system, Everglades restoration, and what young people can do to help.
Water Ambassadors
2-part classroom program (as well as independent data collection)
Grades 5-12
Water Ambassadors is an environmental education program designed to engage students in the protection of our most valuable natural resource—water. An in-class presentation will introduce students to watershed concepts, the history of the Everglades and the role of wetlands in our lives. Through multi-disciplinary, hands-on investigations students will quantify water use on their campus, examine water quality in local waterways, and relate land-use at school to the greater watershed. Data gathered will provide a fun and educational way to examine the ways they use water everyday--and encourage classmates, teachers, administrators and families to make their schools and homes more water-efficient and cost-effective.
Everglades To You (EG2U)
Classroom presentation (one classroom period)
All age groups
Let us bring the Everglades to your classroom! While nothing can substitute for an actual visit to the Everglades, our in-class presentation is designed to help students gain a better understanding of the Everglades using hands-on demonstrations, animal artifacts and visual presentations. Depending on the age range, students will: explore adaptations of Everglades plants and animals, understand the characteristics of a wetland, demonstrate ecological services of wetlands, examine human changes to waterflow, and discuss Everglades restoration. EG2U covers basic Everglades history, ecology and human impact, inspiring students to visit the Everglades with their family.
Field Experience in the Everglades
Field program (half to full day field trip)
All age groups
Join a naturalist in the field to give your students a firsthand look at Everglades plants, animals and habitats. Through a partnership with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, we will visit the northern Everglades in the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Students will see and feel the Cypress Swamp, observe wading birds in the open Marsh, examine wetland plant adaptations, and learn how South Florida depends on the Everglades.
The Adventures of Charlie Pierce: The Last Egret
Classroom presentation and/or field program
Grade 4
Every fourth grader in Palm Beach County School District enjoys reading The Adventures of Charlie Pierce: The Last Egret as part of a countywide “Read Together” program for children and families. The book chronicles the childhood adventures of Charlie Pierce, an early settler in Palm Beach County, and describes the environmental disaster that occurred in South Florida when plume hunting led many greedy individuals to slaughter birds for their exotic feathers which were sold to decorate ladies’ hats.
Our In-Class Presentation is designed to give students an understanding of South Florida’s natural history as it relates to our human history. Through a visual presentation and hands-on objects, students gain an appreciation of Charlie Pierce’s Everglades and the natural beauty of Florida’s wading birds.
The Field Experience allows students to see, first-hand many of the plants and animals describes in The Last Egret. Students will explore Everglades habitats, identify the birds that Charlie and his friends sought, and discuss the conservation measures designed to protect them.
Custom Programs
Classroom presentation and/or field program
All age groups
The Everglades provides a rich background to teach a variety of concepts, allowing us to develop programs to meet a wide range of audiences (such as our Animal Antics program for pre-K). The Foundation routinely delivers environmental education programs to scout groups, afterschool programs, youth groups, community organizations, and to the general public through local institutions such as the West Palm Beach Library. Additionally, through our partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we offer guided visits to the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
Wetlands: Weird and Wonderful (Summer Camp Curriculum)
Presentation (up to 2 hours)
All age groups
During the summer, the Foundation travels to established camps to deliver Everglades education and activities for campers in Palm Beach County. We provide an (up to) two-hour program on the Florida Everglades which includes a presentation, interactive games, and other activities. The curriculum explores topics including why wetlands are important, Everglades plants and animals, wetlands adaptations, human changes to the natural system, Everglades restoration, and what young people can do to help.
Teacher Workshops
Presentation and/or field program
Professional educators
The Marshall Foundation brings Everglades education to the teachers at your school. Using hands-on objects and reproducible activities and materials, your staff will learn to integrate the Everglades into the classroom curriculum and how to help students understand how South Florida depends on this natural resource.
Since 2008, the Foundation has partnered with the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach and the US Fish & Wildlife Service to deliver teacher education programs (Indoors & Out: Connecting Classrooms to Nature) to improve science learning in Palm Beach County schools. This program is available for schools.
The Everglades: Through the Eyes of Children Student Photography Project
Field program
Grades K-12
This program provides instruction in the arts and sciences to diverse students who learn about the Everglades through nature photography. Students participate in workshops and fieldtrips that build skills, knowledge, and compassion about the art of photographing the Everglades. Students learn from each other and are inspired by professional photographers as they document flora, fauna, and people at our community volunteer programs. The project culminates with a traveling display of the winning photography. This project is made possible by the Palm Beach Cultural Council.
For further information about Everglades education opportunities for your students or group, please contact our Education Department, via phone at 561-233-9004 or via e-mail.