AFTERNOON ECOLOGISTS
WINTER 2021 SCHEDULE
An in-person, outdoor program on Bainbridge Island to deepen science knowledge, strengthen problem-solving skills, and inspire teamwork.
Afternoon Ecologists
Bringing Science Learning Outside
New this school year, Afternoon Ecologists is an in-person, outdoor program on our Bainbridge Island campus for students in 3rd – 6th grades!
Designed to align with Washington’s 3rd – 6th grade science curriculum, this program is a fun, engaging opportunity for kids to safely connect with friends, deepen science knowledge, and strengthen problem-solving skills.
Led by current University of Washington Master’s Students in Education and experienced staff instructors, the Afternoon Ecologists program gets students learning outside with peers while deepening their understanding of the impact science and engineering can have on their communities and the planet.
This 7-week program begins the week of February 1st and ends the week of March 19. We are offering sessions Monday – Friday afternoons, with each day of the week focused on a different theme. When registering, you will pick a day of the week (or more than one day of the week if you like!) that your child will participate in for seven consecutive weeks.
Program times are:
- Mondays 3:00 – 5:00 pm (3rd-4th grade sessions sold out!)
- Tuesdays 3:00 – 5:00 pm (3rd-4th grade sessions sold out!)
- Wednesdays 3:00 – 5:00 pm
- Thursdays 3:00 – 5:00 pm
- Fridays 2:00 – 5:00 pm (5th-6th grade sessions sold out!)
Mondays: Water and Watersheds
- Ever wonder how a drop of rain gets from a pond to Puget Sound, and what that drop might encounter along the way? In our Monday sessions, get ready to investigate the journey that water takes as it moves through IslandWood and discover how crucial that journey is in shaping our ecosystem.
Tuesdays: Weather and Climate
- What’s the difference between weather and climate, and how do both of them impact our environment and communities? From the micro-climate of a single tree to global weather patterns and trends, we’ll dig into the wild world of weather and climate during our Tuesday sessions.
Wednesdays: Adaptations
- How are you adapted to your environment? During our Wednesday sessions, we’ll explore the unique adaptations our forest friends need to survive and thrive here.
Thursdays: Garden and Land Stewardship
- What does it mean to be a steward of the land? We’ll be getting our hands dirty on Thursdays as we learn about ways to care for our planet.
Fridays: Investigations
- What do scientists look like? They look like you! On Fridays we’ll be using inquiry and observation to study the wonders around us.
Please note, 5th & 6th-grade groups for Fridays are currently sold out. We’ll be running another session in the Spring, so stay tuned!
The program is for students in 3rd – 6th grades.
This program will be held on our Bainbridge Island campus, at 4450 Blakely Avenue NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.
Given uncertainty about school schedules and evolving state health & safety guidelines, we recognize that much can change between now and the start of the program in February. Please rest assured that we will be providing full refunds in the event that your child is unable to participate due to a shift in school schedules or if IslandWood is unable to hold programming. Otherwise our cancellation policy is as follows:
- Full refund (less $40 processing fee) for cancellations at least four weeks before the start date of program
- 50% refund for cancellations at least 2-4 weeks before the start date of program
- Cancellations within two weeks of the start date of program are not eligible for refund. Exceptions may be considered in cases of extenuating circumstances.
Our Approach: Project-Based Learning
Like many of our programs, Afternoon Ecologists is designed to support project-based learning. Project-based learning (or PBL) allows students to investigate, explore, and develop skills and knowledge by analyzing real world problems and thinking critically about potential solutions. Basing our programs in this approach helps drive curiosity and encourages students to engage with their learning. Designed around each day’s theme, students in the program will pursue projects throughout their seven-week experience that will help spark creativity, enhance science knowledge, and strengthen collaboration skills.
“My daughter is loving the program. She comes home jazzed with all sorts of cool info. So nice for her to have a place to be outside with friends and amazing instructors. Thankful for your program. It’s really boosting her spirits in these crazy times.”
– Stephanie P., Afternoon Ecologists Parent
COST: Tiered Pricing
We are committed to making sure this opportunity is financially accessible for all 3rd – 6th graders who are interested in participating. To support this commitment, we are offering tiered pricing and scholarships.
Additional financial support is available for families who find our tiered pricing beyond their reach. Please contact joanh@islandwood.org for more information.
Monday – Thursday Sessions Pricing:
- $210 – This is the full cost of the program. Please choose this option if you’re able to do so.
- $105 – Please choose this option if it’s the right financial fit for you.
Friday Sessions Pricing:
Please note that pricing for the Friday option is higher as the Friday sessions include an additional hour each week.
- $315 – This is the full cost of the program. Please choose this option if you’re able to do so.
- $160 – Please choose this option if it’s the right financial fit for you.
**If you have the capacity to help make this program accessible for other children, please consider adding a donation during the registration process. Thank you in advance!**
“My daughter got in the car and she was Chatty Patty: ‘Oh we did this, and we saw banana slugs, and there are these kinds of ferns, and these kinds of animals, and we’re gonna look for this…’ We have a forty-minute drive back home from IslandWood, and my daughter talked the whole time. She was super excited and super pumped.”
– Jamie, Afternoon Ecologists Parent
SAFETY AND LOGISTICS
The Afternoon Ecologists program will be run in alignment with the WA State Department of Health’s guidelines for safe outdoor programming. For more details, click the link below.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hope this will help answer some of the questions you may have. If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Joan Hutchinson at joanh@islandwood.org.
We are following all of the COVID-19 safety precautions as outlined by the WA State Department of Health. For more details, please visit our Safety & Logistics page.
Yes! Students who have participated in Afternoon Ecologists before can expect to participate in new activities and build new skills, as well as revisit a few favorite IslandWood activities and strengthen existing science knowledge.
Yes! Each day of the week will focus on a different theme.
Students will only be indoors to use the bathrooms and in the case of inclement weather. If there’s bad weather, each group will use separate indoor spaces.
Yes, we’re happy to accommodate requests and to see friends exploring together! When you register, there is a form field that will ask you about any friend requests.
Unfortunately not. We often have a waitlist for programs, and in fairness to those on the waitlist, we don’t allow transfers to anyone outside your family.
No. Given COVID-19, we’re limiting the number of people on campus to reduce the risk to our staff and children participating in the program.
Yes, the program is open to all 3rd – 6th graders in the Puget Sound area!
Yes! In the registration form, where it asks you for any friend requests, you can share that your child is part of a pod, along with the name of each child in the pod that’s also signing up. Please note, your child will still need to wear a mask and participate in social distancing while at IslandWood.
Help Make Outdoor Learning Accessible for All 3rd - 6th Graders in the Community
As you know, many families have been hit hard by COVID-19. Would you help ensure that every 3rd – 6th grader has the opportunity to participate in this program, regardless of their financial situation?
We Want to Hear From You
As a new program, we would love to hear your feedback about how we can continue to evolve Afternoon Ecologists to best meet our community’s needs.
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