Environmental Education

Programs and Happenings

Learn with Us

Elachee is the first and only Cognia-accredited Nature Center in the southeastern United States.

PreK-12 Programs

Elachee Happenings

Concepts

Come to Life

Elachee is a trusted partner offering supplemental instruction that supports educators’ work in the classroom.

STEAM-based environmental experiences enable students to interact with the natural world, while supporting social-emotional learning and the needs of the whole child.

Elachee reinforces GSE expectations with curricula to address life, earth and physical science, lake ecology and English language arts.

Exposure

to Green Space

A visit to Elachee gets children outdoors to explore and learn about the plants, animals and natural systems of the 1,440-acre Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve.

Most field trips to Elachee combine a classroom presentation with an interpretive hike in the Chicopee Woods, or other complementary outdoor activities.

Environmental Education Improves Academic Achievement

Cognitive Benefits, Student Engagement and STEAM Career Interest

Children’s Programs At-a-Glance

2022-23 At-A-Glance Reference Card

2023-24 Programs and Fees

Grades: PreK, K, 1

Earth and Space Science

Seeing Stars for Kindergarten OFFERED NOVEMBER THROUGH FEBRUARY
Visit Starlab Planetarium, use a telescope and learn about the Solar System.
GSE – SKE1, ELAKL4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach

Life Science

A Sense of Wonder
Discover how animals use their senses on this exploratory hike through the Chicopee Woods. GSE – SKL1, ELAKL4
PROGRAM FORMAT: Elachee Field Trip

Green and Growing
Chicopee Woods is the ideal place to study the needs, parts, life cycles and many uses of plants. GSE – SKL1, SKL2, S1L1, ELA1L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom

Wheel of Animals
Learn remarkable facts about an array of unique Georgia animals while exploring their needs on a discovery-filled hike in the Chicopee Woods. GSE – SKL1, SKL2, S1L1, ELAKL4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom, Interactive Distance Learning

Grades: 2 and 3

Earth and Space Science

Seeing Stars for 2nd Grade OFFERED NOVEMBER THROUGH FEBRUARY
Visit Starlab Planetarium, use a telescope and learn about the Solar System and Constellations. GSE – S2E1, S2E2, ELA2L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach

Life Science

Elachee Rocks!
Enjoy a jam-packed, hands-on investigation of the rocks and minerals of Georgia. GSE – S3E1, S3E2, ELA3L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach

Habitat is Home
Delve into Georgia’s major habitats and the characteristics of the plants and animals that live in each. GSE – S3L1, S3L2, ELA3L4 PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach, Interactive Distance Learning

Life Cycles
Explore the life cycles of frogs, honeybees, butterflies and other animals in the classroom and along the trails of the Chicopee Woods, and see how a variety of woodland plants go through seasonal changes.GSE – S2L1, ELA2L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach

Interdisciplinary

Lessons from the Cherokee
Explore the culture, contributions and history of North Georgia’s most influential Native American tribe. GSE – SS2H2, SS2G1, SS2G2, ELA2L4, SS3H1, ELA3L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach, Interactive Distance Learning

Grades: 4 and 5

Aquatic Studies

Lake Lanier Aquatic Study
During this Lake Lanier Aquatic Learning Center (LLALC) program, students will analyze and explore Georgia’s most important lake from the deck of the Chota Princess II floating classroom. GSE – S4L1, S5L4, S5P1, S5E1, ELA4L4, ELA5L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Lake Lanier Field Trip
We All Live Downstream
This dynamic 2-part program that combines a community watershed exploration at your school with our popular Lake Lanier Aquatic Learning Center (LLALC) program. GSE – S4L1, S5L4, S5P1, S5E1, ELA4L4, ELA5L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach/Interactive Distance Learning AND Lake Lanier Field Trip

Earth and Space Science

Seeing Stars for 4th Grade OFFERED NOVEMBER THROUGH FEBRUARY
Visit Starlab Planetarium, use a telescope and learn about the Solar System and Constellations. GSE – S4E1, S4E2, ELA4L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach

Life Science

Eat or Be Eaten
Explore behaviors and adaptations of animals and plants that play essential roles as producers, consumers and decomposers in an ecosystem. Discover real world food chains and webs by seeing how energy flows through the Chicopee Woods. GSE – S4L1, ELA4L4 PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach, Interactive Distance Learning

Exploring the Animal Kingdom
Classify vertebrate animals through activities in the classroom and along the trails of the Chicopee Woods. GSE – S5L1a, ELA5L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach

Stream Life
Catch and classify aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate animals, then conduct chemical tests to evaluate the streams of the Chicopee Woods. GSE – S4E3, S4L1, S5E1, S5L1, S5P1 ELA4L4, ELA5L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip

Grades: 6, 7, 8

Aquatic Studies

Lake Lanier Aquatic Study
During this Lake Lanier Aquatic Learning Center (LLALC) program, students will explore and analyze Georgia’s most important lake from the deck of the Chota Princess II floating classroom. GSE – S6E3, S6E6, S7L4, ELA6L4, ELA7L4, ELA8L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Lake Lanier Field Trip

We All Live Downstream
This dynamic 2-part program combines a community watershed exploration at your school with our popular Lake Lanier Aquatic Learning Center (LLALC) program. GSE – S6E3, S6E6, S7L4, ELA6L4, ELA7LA, ELA8L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach/Interactive Distance Learning AND Lake Lanier Field Trip

Earth and Space Science

Astronomy for Middle Schoolers OFFERED NOVEMBER THROUGH FEBRUARY
Visit Starlab Planetarium, use a telescope and learn about the Solar System and Constellations. GSE – S6E1, S6E2, ELA6L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach
Elachee Rocks!
Study plate tectonics, the rock cycle, rock formations, fossils, erosion, deposition and more. GSE – S6E5, ELA6L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach

Telescopes to Go!
Our expert astronomers will bring up to eight (8) telescopes to your school to conduct an unforgettable celestial tour of the evening sky. GSE – S6E1, S6E2, ELA6L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach

Life Science

Habitats and Adaptations
Study the behavioral and structural ways plants and animals interact with their habitats. GSE – S7L4, ELA7LA
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach, Interactive Distance Learning

Stream Life
Catch and classify aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate animals and then conduct chemical tests in order to evaluate the streams of the Chicopee Woods. GSE – S7L1, S7L4, ELA6L4, ELA7L4, ELA8L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip

TREE-mendous Trees
Learn to use a dichotomous key to identify a variety of trees of the Chicopee Woods. GSE – S7L1, S7L4, ELA7L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach

Physical Science

All About Energy
Hands-on explorations, solar ovens, calorie-counting and other irresistible activities help students understand and compare the different forms of energy. GSE – S8P2, ELA8L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip, Elachee in Your Classroom Outreach

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

Aquatic Studies

Lake Lanier Aquatic Study
During this Lake Lanier Aquatic Learning Center (LLALC) program, students will explore and analyze Georgia’s most important lake from the deck of the Chota Princess II floating classroom. GSE – SEV1-5, ELA9-12L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Lake Lanier Field Trip

Life Science

Stream Life
Catch and classify aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate animals and then conduct chemical tests in order to evaluate the streams of the Chicopee Woods. GSE – SEV1-5, ELA9-12L4
PROGRAM FORMATS: Elachee Field Trip

Covid-19 Preparedness Protocol

For the health of our community and to protect those most vulnerable in our lives, Elachee recommends that all visitors follow CDC guidance with regard to wearing masks.

If your group has additional COVID-19 requirements, please discuss with the registrar at the time of booking.

Lake Lanier Aquatic Learning Center Program

Climb aboard the Lake Lanier Aquatic Learning Center (LLALC) floating classroom, Chota Princess II. Elachee instructors will guide students in a hands-on exploration of the history, ecology and challenges facing Lake Sidney Lanier. On shore, Elachee instructors engage students in related watershed activities.

PROGRAM OFFERED: March through Mid-November Only
PROGRAM LOCATION: River Forks Park, 3500 Keith Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30504
PROGRAM PARTNERSHIP: Elachee Nature Science Center conducts the LLALC program in partnership with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and the Hall County Parks and Leisure Services.
PROGRAM ASSISTANCE: Title I schools are eligible for financial aid consideration for the LLALC program courtesy of Elachee’s program partner Chattahoochee River Keeper. Call Elachee for details, 770-535-1976.

Home School Days: 3rd Thursday Programs

Home school students in PreK to 5th Grade may participate in a fee-based classroom lesson and guided hike with an Elachee teaching naturalist.

Offering two class sessions: 9-11am and Noon-2pm
Each class session has a 15-student maximum and 7-student minimum.
Per class pre-registration required by 4pm the Monday prior to the scheduled class date.
These programs are held at Elachee Nature Science Center.

Visit the Elachee calendar for scheduled programming and any registration requirements.

View Events Calendar