It’s an amazing educational opportunity for all ages!

Program includes:

• 60 minute kayak adventure on the Blackstone River *

• 60 minute experiential science program on land

• Introduction to using advanced water testing equipment

• Urban planning activity

Program Topics:

• READING AND RIVER (Pre-k, K): This program starts in the indoor river classroom, where students will listen to nature story and complete a simple craft project. Afterwards, they board the Explorer for a fun river experience, where they will learn a bit about some of the wildlife that call the river home. This program is age appropriate in length as well as content. Call for adjusted pricing

• ANATOMY OF A RIVER (Grades 1-3): In the (indoor) river classroom, this engaging program will introduce students to the “anatomy” of a river, allowing them to gain an understanding of how some river valleys were formed (including the Blackstone). Students will create models of rivers, allowing this to better understand how ice and rivers shape the landscape. Out on the Explorer, students will enjoy a ride through Central Falls, Cumberland and Lincoln while learning how to use binoculars and exploring what they can see in, on and along the river.

• TINY RIVER LIVES (Grade 4+): Instead of looking at the larger picture, this program focuses on the very small picture of the river. On shore and in the indoor classroom, students will learn about freshwater plankton, use a plankton tow to collect samples, and use digital microscopes to explore the microscopic life of the river. When aboard the Explorer, students will enjoy a ride on the river that focuses on how the microscopic health of the river affects ALL life on the river. They will take water samples and do some water testing to determine the health of the river.

• CITIES AND CYCLES (Grade 5+): The Blackstone runs through 25 cities and towns - how has all that human activity affected the river in the past and how can students, as future environmental stewards, be aware of the price of progress? In the indoor river classroom, this program take a deeper look at the water cycle, how humans interact with it (both passively and directly), and how communities can be planned to have lower impact on the river. Once on board the Explorer, students will not only cruise the Blackstone, they will carry out a variety of water tests that will help illustrate how humans are (or are not) affecting the river now.

• WATERSHEDS AND HEAVY METAL (Grade 7+): Every human community on earth sits inside a watershed - some are rich and diverse, some are more arid and ancient. All provide a place for civilization to flourish. The indoor river classroom portion of this program include a look at our watershed, and challenges students to build their own. Out on the boat, student will learn about human activity has affected the Blackstone Valley Watershed by doing some more advanced water testing as well as observing the current ecological health of the river.

Don’t see a topic that fits your curriculum or classroom projects? We are happy to create a program just for you!

Call (401) 724-2200, x217 for information or to book a program

NEW! for High School Students

RiverClassroom Adventures for High School

Looking for a different way for your teenage students to experience the river? RiverClassroom Adventures are a unique science experience - students will explore the river in kayaks, taking water samples, learning about widllife and the revitalization of the river. Once back on shore, the science experience continues with water testing and understanding how urban development effects the river.

Each kayak session can accomodate up to 25 students and 2 adults.*

Students will learn about:

• Basic boating safety

• The natural history and diversity of species found along the river

• The impact of the industrial revolution on the river

• Water health and the urban impact on riverine and wetland water system