Irvine Nature Center
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Early Childhood Programs Blog

Preschool

Biomimicry: Chlorophyll Art and Beehives

October 9, 2017 - Earth Friends, Preschool

Tuesday, October 3rd 2017 Where do leaves get their color?  Why do they change color in the fall?  What is chlorophyll and what does it do for a leaf?  Those… Read more »

Tags: balance beehive bees biomimicry capillary action Chlorophyll climbing climbing trees colorful leaves Earth Friends fall fall season games hexagon Homeschool Homeschool at Irvine Irvine Irvine Homeschool Irvine Nature Center leaves persimmons pollinate Pond Riddles Water beetles water tension worms

Insects and Invertebrates

October 3, 2017 - Earth Friends, Preschool

Hello Earth Friends STEM! We had a great week exploring the differences between insects and arachnids! An insect has three body segments: the head, thorax and abdomen. An arachnid has two body segments:… Read more »

Tags: home school insects

Biomimicry: Walk on Water with Water Tension

October 3, 2017 - Earth Friends, Preschool

Today was our third Biomimicry class and we had a blast exploring the ponds, finding frogs and doing a really fun experiment with water and pennies.  We started our class… Read more »

Tags: biomimicry capillary action experiment exploration fungus gray tree frogs green frogs hiking hiking in nature Homeschool Homeschool at Irvine Irvine Irvine Homeschool Irvine Nature Center Metamorphosis nature sounds Sassafras spores tadpoles water striders water tension whirligig beetles

Back To School!

September 27, 2017 - Preschool

Back To School! by Meghan deKozlowski Summer has faded and The Nature Preschool is back in session! We are excited for another year of adventure and growth! The classrooms have… Read more »

Tags: acorns all about me back to school friends friendship Irvine Nature Center Learning milkweeds monarch nature preschool outdoor learning preschool community seeds The Nature Preschool

Biomimicry: Stick it and float it

September 27, 2017 - Earth Friends, Preschool

What a great second week!  This week we finished up our conversation about burrs and velcro from last week and did a really fun experiment velcro and we also created… Read more »

Tags: acorns algae biomimicry black walnuts cattails Earth Friends Earth Friends Homeschool Eastern american toad Fowler's toad Garter snake Homeschool at Irvine Irvine Homeschool Irvine Nature Center oak red oak science science experiment snapping turtle velcro water striders white oak

Biomimicry: Burrs and Frogcicles

September 19, 2017 - Earth Friends, Preschool

Welcome to everyone!  Today was our first day of Earth Friends Biomimicry class!  It’s going to be a really exciting semester where we get the opportunity to explore all of… Read more »

Tags: bacteria biomimicry Burrs Earth Friends Earth Friends Homeschool Ecosystem forest frogs glucose Green Frog Homeschool inventing inventions Irvine Irvine Homeschool Leopard Frog meadow milkweed milkweed pods milkweed seeds mosquito larvae Pond seed pods seeds spicebush sustainable velcro Vernal pool vernal wetland wetland

Living Wetlands Week 12 Campfire

May 27, 2017 - Earth Friends, Preschool

Today was our last day of class.  It was bittersweet since we all had such a fantastic time this Spring and I wish it wasn’t the last day!  To celebrate… Read more »

Tags: american robin campfire explore Explore nature fire starter Homeschool Homeschool at Irvine Irvine Irvine Homeschool Irvine Nature Center robin nest Sassafras Sassafras tea spicebush Spicebush Tea

Living Wetlands Week 11

May 27, 2017 - Earth Friends, Preschool

Monday: Today we welcomed a new homeschooler to Living Wetlands, welcome Audrey!  We were so glad that Audrey was able to join us for our last few days of class… Read more »

Tags: Barred Owl bluebird cattails deer track Dichotomous Key diving beetle Earth Friends Eastern Bluebird edible cattails edible plants green ash Homeschool Homeschool at Irvine Irvine Irvine Homeschool Irvine Nature Center Living Wetlands Homeschool Metamorphosis nature education Nature Journaling nature-based education painting raccoon tracks sit spots tent caterpillar Vernal pond water color

Living Wetlands Week 10

May 17, 2017 - Earth Friends, Preschool

Today we continued our exploration of amphibians.  It was a perfect day to spend frog searching and exploring by the stream so that is where we spent most of the… Read more »

Tags: American Toad Amphibian bullfrog chemical test dissolved oxygen Earth Friends Earth Friends Homeschool Homeschool Homeschool at Irvine Irvine Irvine Homeschool Irvine Nature Center Leopard Frog Lupin phosphates primitive water filter Stonefly Sundial Lupin temperature Water filter Water test water testing

Living Wetlands Week 9

May 11, 2017 - Earth Friends, Preschool

Today was a fantastic day full of frog songs, pond exploration and hiking.  We began, as usual, checking out our plant phenology project at the hidden story circle.  We noticed… Read more »

Tags: autumn olive bullfrog Damselfly Dichotomous Key Dragonfly Dragonfly Nymph Earth Friends Earth Friends Homeschool Frog Songs Froglet Gray Tree Frog Green Frog Homeschool Homeschool at Irvine invasive Irvine Irvine Homeschool Irvine Nature Center Metamorphosis non-native Pond skunk cabbage spring peepers Tadpole Wood Frog

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    • About
      • About Irvine Nature Center
      • Mission, Vision and Values
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  • Irvine Nature Center

    11201 Garrison Forest Road
    Owings Mills, MD 21117
    Phone: 443­-738-9200
    Fax: 410­-902-8210

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    GROUP VOLUNTEER INQUIRY

    Irvine Nature Center is located in Owings Mills, Maryland. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us!

    • Name of Company/Organization
    • Expected # of Volunteers (5-30)
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    • Irvine Nature Center hosts volunteer groups Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 9:00am-12:00pm or 1:00pm-4:00pm. Please enter 3 possible dates that work for your group
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    • About
      ▼
      • About Irvine Nature Center
      • Mission, Vision and Values
      • Irvine Staff
      • Board of Trustees
      • Employment Opportunities
    • Visit
      ▼
      • Plan Your Visit to Irvine
      • Programs & Events
      • Programs for Schools
      • Animal Ambassadors
    • Support
      ▼
      • Become A Member
      • DONATE
      • Other Ways To Give
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Pumpkins on the Green 2026
      • Volunteer/Intern
    • Early Childhood Education
      ▼
      • Nature Preschool
      • Little Birds
      • Earth Friends Homeschool
    • Nature Programs
      ▼
      • Summer Nature Camp 2026
      • Programs for Children
      • Programs for Adults
      • PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS
        ▼
        • Field Trips
        • Nature in the Classroom (school presenations)
        • Eco-Explorers After-School Nature Club
    • Rentals & Special Events
      ▼
      • Birthday Parties
      • Weddings & Rentals
      • Pumpkins on the Green 2026
    • Become a Member/Renew
    • Registration & Payment