Museum Tour - All Ages
See our current exhibits
The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art is proud of its extensive collection of wildfowl decoys and artistic carvings. They are a unique art form indigenous to the Chesapeake Bay, closely tied to the history of the region. Guided tours are available to help students best appreciate the wonders within our museum and tie the exhibits to their curricular studies.

Guided Nature Trail Tours - All Ages
Guides will lead your class through the Norman Glen Nature Trail along Schumaker Pond, identifying many of our wetland plants, animals, insects, and birds. Binoculars and trail guides are provided!

Student Art Exhibit
This is an opportunity to showcase children's artistic endeavors and have their artwork displayed in a museum! This year's topic is "Nature's Treasures." All artwork and interpretations should fit within the addressed topic. Show opens on January 25, 2008 and will be displayed through February 24, 2008. Start working on submissions today. The exhibit is free and features art from area public, private, and home-school children. Take advantage of a wonderful chance to see how children of all ages express their artistic perspective using flat or 3-D mediums. This is a non-competitive art show. Deadline for submission is December 21, 2007. Space may be limited.

Mayday for the Environment
May 30, 2008 (10am to 2pm)The types of programs that the children will enjoy at the event include activities such as learning about the health of our watershed, wetland wonders, making environmental message banners, the rewards of recycling, interactive puppet shows, various art activities, learning about butterflies in our butterfly garden and making a birdfeeder. It is programs like these where students learn to become stewards of our cultural and natural heritage and carry on the traditions of the Bay.

Nature tales for tots (pre-K to 2nd grade)
These short (30 - 60 minute) environmental reading programs captivate and introduce your youngest students to the natural world through stories, history, science, and art projects. Can be done onsite or at your location! This program is funded in part by the MSDE. Arrangements can be made to offer them as a series to your students. Call for details. View the schedule of topics and dates.

Puppet Show (Pre-K-3rd)
Enjoy a presentation on select topics concerning the environment. Topics may include wetlands, ducks, frogs, fish, or call in advance to determine if we can make a show tailored to fit a science or nature topic your class is studying. Children love puppets and relate to our dramatic stories about nature and animals. On site or at your school!

All about birds

Bird watching and identification (2nd - 8th)
Guided by a trained bird watcher, students will be introduced to the techniques of rapid bird identification necessary for successful field identification. Class experience may be enhanced with tour of carvings in the museum.

Bird structure and function (2nd - 8th)
Have you ever wondered why birds have particular bills, or different shaped wings or feet? Why do scientists believe birds are the living descendants of dinosaurs? Come discover the "whys" of bird design and, perhaps, design your own bird.

Build a bird feeder (1st - 8th)
Do your students all like the same foods? Neither do birds. We will explore the favorite foods of local birds and build a birdfeeder. Students will take their birdfeeders back to feed the birds at home or at school. (Additional material cost for each birdfeeder = $5 ea.)

Build a Bird house (3rd - 8th)
Birds tend to be very particular about where they raise their young. This program helps your students explore the types of birds in the area and the requirements for a successful birdhouse. Students will build a birdhouse to take back their yards at home or at school. (Additional material cost for each birdhouse = $7 ea.)

All About Ducks (4th - 12th)
There are over 26 species of ducks on Maryland. Learn fascinating facts about these wonderful creatures. We will look at them from an artistic viewpoint as well as from the scientific viewpoint. Learn about migratory behaviors and environmental impact.

Ecology and Biodiversity

Plant Identification (5th - 9th)
With over 100 different plants identified on the museum grounds, your students will have a wonderful, tailored opportunity to develop and test their identification skills. Students will learn how to identify local native plants and test their newly acquired skills on the nature walk.

Ins and Outs of Insects (Pre-K-6th)
What is an insect? Are they friends or foes? We'll take a look at insect life cycles, adaptations for survival and insects' role in our ecosystem. Find out what fun it is to be an entomologist.

Spectacular Spiders (Pre-K-6th)
There is something creepy, yet wonderful, about spiders. Few creatures are as feared and misunderstood as these arachnids. Discover the variety and purpose of different styles of webs. Find out which spiders live in our region and which spiders are harmful. Learn all about these fascinating creatures.

Beautiful Butterflies (Pre-K -6th)
Delmarva gets to host several species of Lepidoptera. Students will get up close and personal. They will learn to identify the varieties that we see in our region, look at adaptations, life cycles and migratory behaviors. They will also learn how they can attract butterflies to their own backyards.

Wetland Wonder (4th - 9th)
The fragile border between water and land is one of the most productive areas within the environment, especially on the Eastern Shore. Too often these wetlands are overlooked, altered, or eradicated by well-meaning people. Explore the wonders of our wetlands and their special attributes and develop a sense for their uniqueness and value.

Get to know your Watershed (4th - 12th)
Schumaker Pond is one of the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Many of the headwaters are located in urban settings and are subject to the pressures and pollution the urban areas bring. Learn why the headwaters are so important to the health of the Bay, what problems are related to them, and what students can do to protect them during an interactive wetland demonstration.

Soil Detectives (3rd-8th)
Let's all look at dirt! Soil is important for plants and animals. It is made out of crushed rocks, minerals, and decayed material. Every food chain starts with soil and sunlight. Get your hands dirty and see what animals live underground, while learning the basics of soil ecology.

"Tree"mendous Trees (Pre-K - 6th)
Find out how trees work inside and out. Trees have body parts just like you and me. Learn about ways people use and depend on them. Find out what items are made from tree products and how you can protect forests everyday with simple tips.

Scat and Tracks (1st-4th)
Play a fun game and sing songs about animal droppings. Learn to tell whether a carnivore or an herbivore left their mark. Look at different animal tracks and see if you can match them up. This lesson helps students' observation skills when in nature and in everyday life.

Herpetology (3rd-8th)
Reptiles and amphibians are unique in many ways. Learn how cold-blooded animals stay warm during winter and other fascinating facts. Did you know that a snake has a very short tail and more ribs than any other animal? Turtles can hold their breath over 2 hours. We will talk about all these animals and more in this lesson.

Animal Habitats (All Ages)
Play games that demonstrate the places animals live and hat makes a good habitat. There are four key things a habitat must have. Become a deer and see how animals must adapt to their environment and what they must do to survive in the Project Wild game, Oh, Deer! Learn about different types of habitat and the animals that live there.

Water Works (1st - 5th)
Ever wonder how much water there is on Earth or why we never seem to run out? Learn about the water cycle by taking a journey through the eyes of a droplet of water. Make stops at the ocean, in a cloud, inside an animal, and even go underground. Water is everywhere but not all water is good to drink. Learn the importance of water conservation today!

Local Ecology (4th - 12th)
Take a backyard journey through the seasons. Discover why we have seasons, what plants and animals do to adapt, and how to recognize the seasons in nature.

Seasons of Delmarva (PreK-8th)
Students will learn about ecosystems and how they interact. They will play a game that shows the interdependence of nature and see how "we're all in this together". The activity demonstrates how humans impact the environment and what we can do to help. They will also meet some key species of the Eastern Shore.

Nature and Art

Plant prints and rubbings (1st - 8th)
Discover the delicate beauty in a leaf while creating unique art designs through plant rubbings and prints. Students will learn about leaf structure and design as well as learn new, simple techniques to take the beauty indoors.

Explore the Art of Fish Printing (All Ages)
Learn the Japanese art of Gyotaku, using real fish models. Students will learn about native species and leave with a finished piece of artwork. Bring white t-shirts to print on for a handmade souvenir! (optional)

Soap Carving a Decoy Head (2nd- 8th)
The Ward Museum has the largest public collection of carved ducks in the world! Learn hands-on how to carve your own duck head using real (but very safe) tools. This is a great way to combine a lesson of the history of our region with an art curriculum. ($2 material fee per student).

Paint a Flattie (All ages)
Make a wildfowl pin or magnet. Students will learn the different species and coloration of wildfowl as they paint wood cutouts. These make nice gifts. ($5 material fee per student).

Basics of Carving: Carve and Paint a Canvasback Duck Head (8th-12th)
This more advanced carving class utilizes real tools and wood. The students will learn woodcarving techniques, take home a fine art project, and gain a stronger appreciation for the heritage of our region. Class size is limited to 15. This is a three hour class. ($10 materials fee per student).

Thicket Theater (1st-8th)
Older students work in groups to make their very own puppet show concerning the environment and what is happening to the plants and animals after a brief discussion about human impacts. Younger children take part in a play on either bioaccumulation in "Ms. Jackson's Orchard" or the food chain in "Once Upon a Daisy". Bioaccumulation affects predators such as bald eagles from poisons farmers use on crops. The food chain play relates the sun and soil, plants, herbivores, carnivores, decomposers, and top predators in the circle of life.

Capturing Nature through Artistry (All Ages)
Get your kids geared up for the Ward Museum's Student Art Show. Let your student's talents shine through this expressionistic program. Have them pick between a drawing, acrylic or watercolor medium, and let their artistic eye transfer the outside environment onto paper.

History and Social Responsibility

Animals in Danger (K- 6th)
Many of nature's most marvelous creatures are endangered. Students interact with each other and as a group using their sleuthing ability to find out which endangered animal they might be. They may also pantomime the animal's actions and discuss fascinating facts about the animal and why it is endangered.

People of the Chesapeake (2nd -12th)
Learn about local heritage of the Eastern Shore watermen. Hear poetry written on the Bay waters and shores. Create a menu of watermen's bounty. Guess which watermen your classmate might be. Hear the history of how Native Americans utilized the Bay and how settlers have changed it over the past 400 years

Lemuel and Steven Ward (All Ages)
Get up close and personal with two very famous artists. Learn about the legacy of decoy carving and how this art form affected their life on Delmarva. The Ward Brothers used simple tools to create their marvelous birds. Participate in a hands on demonstration of the tools of the trade. Take a look a life on the Eastern Shore during the early 19th century.

Schumaker Ecological Surveys (6th - 12th)
In conjunction with the Wicomico River project, the Ward Museum, and Chesapeake Bay Foundation, (CBF), students will learn techniques to and assist in gauging the health of Schumaker Pond on an on-going basis. Surveys will be done in the following areas: macro-biological, micro-biological, flowering plants, non-flowering plants, and insects. The results will be used to help the CBF and Wicomico River Projects monitor the health of the river and Bay, and the Ward Museum to develop better programs of ecological importance to our community.

Our Chesapeake Bay (All Ages)
Concerned about what is going on with the Chesapeake Bay waters? Come and join our discussions and activities (tailored towards any age group), to learn many aspects pertaining to the Chesapeake, such as: geological history, the state of the bay, residents in and around the bay, biological and ecological imperatives, economic impacts, and the history of the bay.

Killer Trash (All Ages)
Students learn the impacts litter can have on nature and the topic of entanglement. Why are our ocean animals at such risk? What is biodegradable? See how your rubbish measures up on our trash timeline. Learn where trash ends up and how to reduce landfills by recycling. Relay race to see which team can sort recycling the fastest.

Celebrate Earth Day (Pre-K-6th)
Get a jump start on Earth day! Carrying out what was brought to the public's attention in 1963, we will be offering environmental awareness and fun activities to get your students thinking about ways they can work together in order to help improve our Earth.

Masters of Disasters (All Ages)
Take a look at climate change and how it affects the community. Learn about the different kinds of disasters there are and how to prepare for such an event. Get inside the inner parts of tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and volcanoes through hands-on demonstrations tailored to any age group.

Registration information

To schedule a tour or program, please call the Ward Museum Education Department at 410-742-4988, ext. 104 or 110 or e-mail Rose Clay, education assisstant. We can set up a program that will fit your needs. The Department will put together a maximum of four sessions per visit. Generally, your class or group will be split into smaller groups and rotate between the stations. The facility can accommodate up to sixty students on sight. Larger groups are welcome but must come on different days. All reservations must be made two weeks in advanced.

PRICING: The Ward Museum is a MSDE State Aided Institution. Special pricing for school groups are as follows. Museum gallery tours are $2 per person. Each educational program session is $3 per person or 3 sessions for $8.

Non-MSDE Groups: Museum gallery tours are $3 per person. Each educational program session is $4 per person or 3 sessions for $10. Non-profit rate is 50% off with verification of 501c3.

Some sessions may have an additional cost for materials

LIMITED TIME SPECIALS: 50% off entire charge for MSDE schools through December 2007

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