Field Studies

For more than 30 years, the Elms Environmental Education Center has offered meaningful outdoor experiences for elementary through high school students in St. Mary's County, Maryland. Elms field studies are fully integrated into the classroom curriculum, and are aligned with both Maryland Environmental Literacy and Next Generation Science Standards.

During grade-specific field studies, students explore the diverse habitats of our county, including forests, wetlands, meadows, and beaches. Field Study programs are led by SMCPS Elms environmental education staff at The Elms and at our long-term partner site, Historic Sotterley Plantation.

Elementary

  • Kindergarten What Living Things Need & Reusing Natural Resources, Spring @ Elms.

  • 1st Grade Structure & Function of Plants and Animals, Fall and Spring @ Elms.

  • 2nd Grade Habitats, Pollinators & Seed Spreaders, Fall and Spring @ Sotterley.

  • 3rd Grade Wetland Ecosystem Interactions, Winter @ Elms.

  • 4th Grade Chesapeake Bay Watershed & Structure and Function of Aquatic Organisms, Fall @ Elms.

  • 5th Grade Ecosystem Exploration by Canoe, Fall and Spring @ Sotterley.

Middle School

7th Grade students assess biodiversity, work with native plants, and conduct Student Service Learning in the Nursery, Fall and Spring @ Elms.

High School

High School programs are offered for any content area (not just science!)

Locations:

  • The Elms (land-based)

  • Sotterley (land or land/canoe-based).

Contact elms@smcps.org to schedule.