National Park Service at Wolf Trap - Education Programs

All programs are free. Grade recommendations are based on Virginia’s Standards of Learning, however any grade may participate. Each program is best given to one group at a time (20 – 40 students with chaperones), however the park can arrange for simultaneous programs to allow for entire grades to field trip at the same time. Call (703) 255-1893 for information and reservations.

Grade:            Kindergarten
Title:              Natural Sounds
Length:           20 minute program at the school or park
Available:       October – March
Curriculum:     After students learn about the five senses
Description:    Students explore natural sounds with a Park Ranger. Increases awareness and appreciation of sounds in nature; expressing sound with movement.
Post activity:   Drawing sound

Grade:             Second
Title:               The Physics of the Theater
Length:            1 ½ hour program at the park
Available:       October – June
Curriculum:     Developed to accompany the lesson plans “The Physics of Toys”
Description:    Students come to the park and become stagehands. Using all simple machines learned about in class (wheels, axels, pulleys, levers, wedges, screws, and inclined planes), the students solve a problem that a stagehand might encounter.

Grade:             Third, Fourth
Title:               Junior Ranger Program
Length:          1 ½ hour program at the park
Available:       October - April
Description:    Students experience local history by touring Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. Students learn about pre-park history and the benefactress of the park. Students also explore the stage and backstage areas of two theaters in the park; of which, the Filene Center, has one of the largest stages in the country. While touring the park, students complete the Junior Ranger Activity Booklet and at the end receive the official Wolf Trap Junior Ranger Patch.
Post activity:   Word search

Grade:             Fifth
Title:             The Technology of Sound
Length:          1 hour program at the park or school auditorium
Available:       October – April
Curriculum:     After students have learned about sound waves.
Description:    Students explore a modern sound system. From a sound wave, through a microphone, to a loudspeaker – students learn how vocal amplification happens.