School Programs
School Program Guide for Educators
School Curriculum Programs
Get outdoors in a fun and meaningful way! Bladensburg Waterfront Park offers science and social studies programs to grades Preschool to 12th grade at our park (year-round) or at your school/location (November through March). The interactive programs and activities can range from 45 to 90 minutes.
Program outlines are available upon request. Programs can be modified for most grade levels. Please call 301-779-0371 to schedule a program!
Topics
Programs may include:
- Crafts, writing, math, or art
- Hands-on activities
- Natural or historical artifacts
- Presentations
- STEM experiments/demonstrations
- Various outdoor components
While in the park, groups can also enjoy a nature walk on the Anacostia River Trail, eat lunch, and have fun on the playground. Picnic tables are available under a covered pavilion.
Fees
Programs presented at Bladensburg Waterfront Park (Minimum $50 program fee)
Prince George's and Montgomery County schools, camps, and organizations
- $3 per person for a program
- $3 per person for a river boat tour
- $4 per person for a program taught on the river boat (* for select programs)
- $2 per person for a B&O Caboose tour
All other counties and Washington, D.C. schools, camps, and organizations
- $4 per person for a program
- $4 per person for a river boat tour
- $5 per person for a program taught on the river boat (*for select programs)
- $3 per person for B&O Caboose tour
Programs presented at your school or facility (Minimum $65 program fee)
- $4 per person for Prince George's and Montgomery County schools, camps, and organizations
- $5 per person for groups in all other counties and Washington, D.C.
River Boat Tours
Come aboard our pontoon boat for an interpretive riverboat tour of the scenic Anacostia River! Boat tours are around 45 minutes long. Life jackets are provided. Boat tour availability may change due to the weather or river conditions. Boat tours can be added to paid programs for an additional fee. Some programs can be modified to be taught on the boat.
B&O Caboose Tours
Visit the newly renovated B&O Caboose. Students will learn about the various parts of this train car, see the crewman’s quarters, sit at the conductor’s desk, climb into the cupula to see the view from up high, ring the train bell, and use their imagination as they explore this 1926 Historic B&O Caboose.
Social Studies Programs
Stories of the Railroad
Recommended Grades 2 – 5
Students will examine how the railroad influenced settlement patterns and industry in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. areas. Students will discover what geographical features of the land dictated where the railroad was built. Students will compare and contrast the past and present with photos of towns and buildings, maps, trains, methods of communication, mail delivery methods, the movement of goods, and more. Students will be able to create a photographic timeline to gain a better understanding of how railroad transportation has changed overtime. Students will visit the newly renovated historic B&O Caboose.
For additional fees, students can go on a boat tour to explore river habitats and wetlands.
Native American Culture of the Eastern Woodlands Peoples
Recommended Grades 3 – 12
*This program can be modified to be taught on our pontoon boat.
This program can be taught at your school or facility November – MarchExplore the ancient life of the Eastern Woodland Native Americans who lived in our region.Students will analyze settlement patterns among the Piscataway, Nacotchtank, and other local native tribes using maps and other data. Students will analyze photographs, images and information from the past to learn how some native traditions influence how we live today. Students will learn about their lifestyle, food, clothing, and cultural traditions. Students will be able to use tools to grind plants and beans, examine replication cultural items, explore musical instruments, play native games and participate in other engaging activities.
For additional fees, students can go on a boat tour to explore river habitats and wetlands, and/or visit the newly renovated B&O Caboose.
The War of 1812 & Battle of Bladensburg
Recommended Grades 5 and up
*This program can be modified to be taught on our pontoon boat.
This program can be taught at your school or facility November - March Students will learn about The War of 1812 in an engaging presentation. Students will learn about the domestic and foreign causes of was and gain an understanding of America’s loss in The Battle of Bladensburg. Students will learn about several factors that eventually lead to the American defeat of the British. Students will be able to examine various items reflective of the period that were used during that time in history.
For additional fees, students can go on a boat tour to explore river habitats and wetlands, and/or visit the newly renovated B&O Caboose.
Science Programs
Animal Characteristics & Adaptations
Recommended Grades Preschool – 5
*This program can be modified to be taught on the boat.
This program can be taught at your school or facility November – March. All about animals! Discover where animals live, what they eat, how they move, how they adapt to survive, and much more. This fun program will focus on adaptations of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, and fish. Students will explore furs, bones, scales, feathers, models and, other super cool items to enhance their learning experience.
For additional fees, students can go on a boat tour to explore river habitats and wetlands, and/or visit the newly renovated B&O Caboose.
Water & You
Recommended Grades 1 – 5
This program can be taught at your school or facility November - March Water, water, everywhere! Students will explore the components and chemistry of water, the water cycle, water conservation, water safety, and the importance of water as a natural resource to the survival of plants and animals. Students will participate in several fun water science experiments and investigations.
For additional fees, students can go on a boat tour to further explore river habitats and wetlands, and/or visit the newly renovated B&O Caboose.
Geology, Rocks, & Minerals
Recommended Grades 4 – 5
Rock on! Students will learn about geological features and gain a better understanding of the rock cycle and the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. In this hands-on program, students will work in small groups to identify rocks and classify them into groups according to their properties.
For additional fees, students can go on a boat tour to explore river habitats and wetlands, and/or visit the newly renovated B&O Caboose.
Plants, Cycles, & Interactions
Recommended Grades 4 – 6
Let’s get growing! Students will examine the life cycles and characteristics of plants and gain an understanding of photosynthesis, plant respiration, and energy flow in an ecological system. Students will participate in plant-based science experiments and hands on activities.
For additional fees, students can go on a boat tour to explore river habitats and wetlands, and/or visit the newly renovated B&O Caboose.
Weather, Meteorology, & The Climate
Recommended Grades 4 – 8
What’s up with weather? Students will investigate the major components of weather, the importance of weather to the survival of plants and animals, the water cycle, concepts in meteorology, and learn the difference between weather and climate. Students will participate in fun interactive activities and use tools, symbols, and math to measure and interpret the weather.
For additional fees, students can go on a boat tour to explore river habitats and wetlands, and/or visit the newly renovated B&O Caboose.
Wetlands & Watersheds
Recommended Grades 3 – 12
*This program can be modified to be taught on our pontoon boat.
This program can be taught at your school or facility November - March Explore the wonderful world of wetlands, their functions, and importance to the health of the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding ecosystems. Students will learn about wetland plants and animals, watersheds, pollution, erosion, and other factors affecting the local wetlands and rivers. Students will participate in an engaging hands-on wetland science experiment to design and build model wetlands.
For additional fees, students can go on a boat tour to further explore river habitats and wetlands, and/or visit the newly renovated B&O Caboose.
Outdoor Nature Discovery
Discovery Walks
Recommended Grades Preschool – 4
Students will go on a Naturalist-led nature walk in the park and along the trail to explore ecosystems, wildlife, plants, and more. Field guides, binoculars, nets, critter catchers, and other fun supplies are provided so students can fully engage with their surroundings. Self-guided park scavenger hunts are available.
For additional fees, students can go on a boat tour to explore river habitats and wetlands, and/or visit the newly renovated B&O Caboose.
Ecosystem Explorers
Recommended Grades 5 and up
Using multiple tools and technology, students explore ecosystems using field guides, sein nets, binoculars, butterfly nets, critter catchers, and measuring tools. The study areas may include gardens, forests, marshes, and river/wetland ecosystems. Students will collect data and make hypotheses and observations.
For Additional fees, students can also take a boat ride to the Bladensburg Marsh for an outdoor classroom experience full of investigations and discoveries, take a full boat tour down river to further explore river habitats and wetlands, and/or visit the newly renovated B&O Caboose.