Our friends at the Chewonki Foundation have been here at CELT’s offices this week, presenting their Owls of Maine outreach program to our first grade classes from Pond Cove Elementary. Every year since 2006, CELT has funded a mini-grant for the first grade team to bring this awe-inspiring program to our students.
Over two days, approximately 120 students come to CELT to learn from Chewonki educators – who bring real, live owls! The children are given the opportunity to observe three owls, examine physical characteristics, discuss habitats, nocturnal behaviors and adaptations to Maine winters. The program ties directly into the 1st grade science unit, Night and Nocturnal Animals.
This year Chewonki leaders Matt Weeks and Jessica Woodend brought a Great Horned Owl, a Barred Owl, and a Saw Whet. The students were mesmerized to see these magnificent creatures up close – and the owls appeared to be equally enthralled with their young audiences.
