Amherst Recreation is pleased to offer a Science classroom experience to children from ages 5-15 at the Peabody Mill Environmental Center, an environmental and science education center abutting almost 600 acres of Joe English conservation land. Our Homeschool Science classes are taught by Amherst Recreation staff (Find bios for our educators below)
Our monthly classes are grouped as a series of three that follow a seasonal theme. We strive to offer a diversity of subjects that will appeal to many different interests and will hopefully inspire the interest and imagination of our students! Classes are typically held the third Tuesday of each month. Please click on the date links for specific dates.
Each class will have a hands-on piece and group projects will be included to build team-working skills. All classes will have an outdoor component. Please dress appropriately for the weather! A refillable water bottle is also great to have. Anyone registered will be notified by email of classes are cancelled due to inclimate weather.
“I would highly recommend the staff at PMEC for a memorable program for your students!” -Homeschool Parent
About Our Educators!
Program Coordinator Nicole Colvin-Griffin:
“I have been an environmental educator here for the past 5 years. I have 20+ years of experience working with children including teaching in Montessori and Waldorf Schools as well as creating my own nature and art based program from my home. My love of nature began as a child and led me to explore the natural world all over the country by hiking and backpacking. If you don’t find me out on the trails or looking for Macroinvertebrates in the pond here at PMEC, come inside the office and say hello! I am happiest when sharing the magic of the natural world with children!”
Laurie Toupin:
Laurie is an environmental/science writer and educator. She has an environmental engineering background with a masters in journalism. She has published with Scholastic, The Christian Science Monitor, and Odyssey Magazine for children. She has tagged swans, otters, and black bear to aid in conservation efforts. She loves hands-on learning and believes that children retain information best when interacting with their subject. Laurie loves camping, hiking, biking, boating, and anything to do with the outdoors. She lives in Brookline, NH with her three children, three hamsters, cat, dog, lizard, chicken, and her husband.
Kelly Gibson:
Kelly Gibson is currently at Southern New Hampshire University, in the process of obtaining a degree in sociology and non-profit grant writing. Before coming to PMEC, Kelly was a long-time home schooling parent that utilized the programs offered through PMEC. Kelly is now excited to use her Waldorf inspired philosophy and her outdoor education experience by teaching environmental education at PMEC. For fun, Kelly enjoys kayaking, letter boxing, circus arts, as well as spending time with her children, two bunnies, and a dog.