Awbury
Arboretum

Students study watershed/ecology

Students visit the daylighted portion of the Wingohocking Creek and explore watersheds, run off, pollution, the water cycle, and biomes. They test water for pH, nitrates, phosphate, and dissolved oxygen. They learn about food webs and how toxins affect the food chain and health of flora and fauna.

Grumblethorpe

Students study epidemiology

Students visit this site where a family quarantined during the 1793 yellow fever epidemic. They take part in a simulation conducting blood testing of family members for the virus and play a game that mimics the spread of infectious diseases. They learn to read maps and charts showing how an epidemic can move across a population.

Historic Fairhill

Students study climatology

Students test the soil for texture, water percolation, and pH levels. They record data in three different microclimates measuring wind speed, humidity, and temperature and examine the effects of green spaces and the tree canopy in urban areas. Lastly, they take part in a bioblitz exploring biodiversity and its connection to climate.

Stenton

Students study genetics

Students learn about James Logan and his studies of plant genetics; they play a game the teaches the basic laws of heredity, and they extract strands of DNA from plant material. They tour three distinct biomes on the property and discuss how the environment may affect genetics over time.

Historic RittenhouseTown

students study and physics/simple machines

Students learn about six simple machines, overshot and undershot water wheels, and potential and kinetic energy. They learn about flax plants and the historic process of paper making and then they experiment in making their own handmade paper at the site of America’s first paper mill.