Educational Programs Offered

Aquifers Uncovered: Protecting the Water We Can’t See - 30 Minutes for up to 30 people

Ever wondered where your water really comes from? From underground, of course! Get ready to take a journey beneath the surface as we take a closer look at one of nature’s hidden resources: groundwater! We’ll follow a raindrop’s journey as it soaks into the ground, squeezes through soil and rock, and finds its way into underground water storage zones called aquifers. Through hand-on discovery, we will learn what exactly aquifers are (hint: they’re not underground lakes!), how water gets filtered and moved underneath us, and why protecting our groundwater is everyone’s responsibility. You’ll never look at a puddle the same way again! 

 

Bee-yond the Garden: The Hidden Struggles of Pollinators - 30 Minutes or 1 hour for up to 30 people  

A beautiful butterfly darting between flowers, a busy bee crafting golden honey, a bird singing its cheerful tune- these are the scenes we love to see. But behind those picturesque scenes lies a hidden struggle. Pollinators are responsible for one in every three bites of food we eat. They play a vital role in our ecosystems and our daily lives, yet we rarely stop to consider what would happen without them. Join PCCD as we take a moment to see the world through the eyes of a pollinator, discovering the daily challenges they face and learning how we can help make their journey a little easier! 

 

Enviroscape Explorers: See the Flow, Know the Impact - 30 Minutes for up to 15 people

Ever wonder what happens to a raindrop after it hits the ground? Sure, you see it fall from the sky and splash onto the earth, but what you don’t see is the wild journey it takes next. As it hits the ground, that raindrop is picking up bits of soil and tiny debris, brushing over forgotten wrappers and oily patches, and absorbing invisible chemicals as it rushes toward our rivers, lakes, and even our drinking water. Yikes! With the help of our 3D Enviroscape model, you’ll get a front row seat as we make it “rain.” From farms to factories, streets to storm drains, you’ll see pollution in action and learn how it travels through a watershed. See the impact and leave inspired to be part of the solution! 

 

Rain Check: Simple Solutions for Water Conservation - 30 Minutes for up to 30 people

Rain doesn’t just fall, it moves, and fast! After hitting your roof, stormwater races through your neighborhood and straight into our streams, ponds, and rivers Sounds harmless, right? Not quite. Along the way, that stormwater picks up all kinds of unwanted hitchhikers from leftover motor fluids dripping on driveways to grass clippings, spilled fertilizer from lawns, and even pet waste that’s been left behind. But don’t let pollution rain on your parade! PCCD has your back with tips and tricks on how you can make a difference. We’ll break down what a watershed is, how pollution sneaks into our water, and how you can fight back with Best Management Practices (BMPs) like rain barrels, rain gardens, and smarter landscaping. When it comes to water conservation, don’t think about it, just dew it! 

 

Past the Porch: Landscapes of Influence - 30 Minutes for up to 30 people

Homeowners Associations (HOAs) play a powerful role in shaping the look and feel of residential communities, but their influence goes far beyond curb appeal. Whether it's breaking ground on a new project, installing a septic system, or choosing what to plant in your yard, the everyday choices made by homeowners and HOAs have a direct impact on the environment. In this session, we’ll uncover how to make those decisions in ways that protect natural resources and reduce negative effects so your next project can be both beautiful and eco-friendly. Your neighborhood has more power than you think, especially when it comes to protecting the environment! 

 

Stewards of the Land: The Role of Conservation Districts - 30 Minutes for up to 30 people

Ever wonder what a Conservation District actually does? Join the Pike County Conservation District for a hands‑on, interactive session all about who we are and why we matter! We’ll break down how this local, community‑based agency works to protect Pike County’s soil, water, and natural resources, introduce you to the people behind the work, and show how conservation happens right here at home , from helping landowners and schools to connecting residents with cool programs and career paths in conservation. It’s a fun, friendly way to learn what we do and how you can be part of protecting the place we all call home! 

 

The Underground Truth: A Hands-On Look Below the Surface - 30 Minutes for up to 15 people

Think water just sits underground? Think again! In our Groundwater Flow Model program, you’ll dive below the surface to see how water really moves through soil and rock and how that movement affects the wells we rely on for drinking water. Using a hands-on physical model, you’ll watch how water flows through different underground layers, how pumping from a well changes the shape of the water table, and how pollution events can affect not just you but your neighbors too! This isn’t just about water below ground; it’s about understanding the connection between groundwater flow and the health of wells in our community, and why what happens unseen underground matters to the water we depend on every day. 

 

The Ripple Effect: How Streams Shape Life and Water Quality - 1 hour or 2 hours for up to 20 people

What secrets lie beneath the ripples of your neighborhood creek?  Join PCCD for an exciting, hands-on adventure into the fascinating world of stream ecology! In this interactive session, we’ll journey through our local watershed to uncover the hidden connections between land, water, and wildlife. You’ll collect and identify macroinvertebrates, small aquatic organisms that live on the stream bottom and act as living indicators of water quality, giving you real evidence of how healthy (or stressed!) a stream ecosystem is. As you get up close with nature’s tiniest water quality indicators and use field tools to test the water, you’ll reveal exactly how healthy our stream truly is and what we can all do to protect it. 

 

Classroom Version - 45 minutes: While you may not be able to collect macroinvertebrates in the classroom, you'll still have plenty of fun learning about them through hands-on activities!

*Fishing License Special Exemption Application with PA Fish and Boat Commission required for this program. Call PCCD for more information.

 

Swampy Science: The Wonders of Wetlands - 30 Minutes or 1 hour for up to 30 people

Think wetlands are just muddy, bug-filled places? Think again! While you may think of wetlands as just places filled with mud and mosquitoes, the truth is they are the natural world’s secret superheroes, acting like kidneys for the landscape by filtering and cleaning water, absorbing excess rainfall to reduce flooding, and providing rich habitat for plants and wildlife big and small. Let’s take a dive into the wonderful world of wetlands as we learn the true power of these ecological powerhouses. Through demonstrations and interactive activities, you’ll find out what exactly a wetland is, why they are so important, and how you can be their hero. Let’s take a closer look together at the wonderful world of wetlands and discover why they deserve our admiration and protection!