Nature Inspired, The Works of James R. Darnell – Wildlife Art Exhibit Open to the Public Monday-Saturday, 10a-3p, through April 19, 2024 – Collaboration between Elachee Nature Science Center and The Arts Council, Inc.

Environmental

Education Programs

Learn with Us

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

Concepts

Come to Life

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

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

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

Cognitive Benefits, Student Engagement and STEAM Career Interest

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
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.

  • Class session: 9-11am
  • 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

Outreach

Elachee in Your Classroom

Transform your media center, gymnasium, classroom or an outdoor classroom by inviting Elachee’s travel-tested instructors to bring exciting environmental education programming to you* if a field trip to Elachee is not possible.

*Elachee is unable to schedule outreach programs in locations that require more than one hour in travel or exceed 60 miles from our campus.

Field Trips

Available Year-Round

 

Children’s Groups
  • After School or Community Youth Programs
  • Day Cares
  • Home Study Groups
  • Home School Associations
  • Public or Private School System Online Programs
Life-long Learning
  • Civic Associations
  • Garden Clubs
  • Groups: Adventure, Church, HOA, other
Third Thursday Homeschool Day
March 21 @ 9:00 am