Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Speakers/Exhibitors available on request!
Request a program by contacting Marc Rogoff
by email at marc.rogoff@njdepwptest.net or call (609) 292-1276.
Educators are available for in-classroom and public presentations, community fairs and festivals.
Programs and Presentations (including downloadable programs and supplemental materials)
Fish & Wildlife staff can conduct presentations live at your facility on request. There is no charge for this service and hands-on activities can be included with the presentations. Programs can all be adapted to grade-level and specific interests. All programs run from 45 – 90 minutes.
If you are looking for a specific topic or focus that is not listed here, contact our office – we can often create something that will meet your needs.
For Students (Auditorium or Classroom)
Environmental Protection: What YOU Can Do! More or Less (Environmental Stewardship)
Environmental Protection, What You Can Do! . . . More or Less is an “interactive” PowerPoint presentation that was created by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to introduce audiences to environmentally friendly and unfriendly practices.
Using up-to-date statistics, common sense, and a bit of humor, we will explore common habits that we all share that affect the environment. Some of these are environmentally beneficial and some are detrimental. More of the good and less of the bad is the goal – saving time, money and the earth can be the result!
Environmental Protection: What YOU Can Do! More or Less
Environmental Protection: What YOU Can Do! More or Less – Supplemental
The Wonderful World of Water (Water & Water Conservation)
This presentation will have you drowning in information! Your head will be swimming with facts, statistics and trivia about that wonderful substance called H2O.
Included: Examine a working model of groundwater, point and non-point pollution and water conservation practices.
Testimonials:
- This program almost makes me want to go back to the beach.
Martin Brody, Chief of Police, Amity Island (Imaginary) - Pas mal. (Not Bad – French)
Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Oceanographer (Deceased) - I learned things I did not know.
Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman, Sovereign of Atlantis and King of the Seven Seas (Also imaginary) - It made me thirsty for more.
Thomas Edward Lawrence, aka Lawrence of Arabia (Parched historical figure)
The Wonderful World of Water – Automated
We’re Still Here (A Climate Change Message of Hope)
The end is near; we have less than ten years left; it’s worse than a nuclear war – messages of doom and gloom are what children are exposed to through the news media when it comes to climate change. This attitude can only lead to despair and helplessness. This presentation looks at climate change as another challenge to deal with in a long line of challenges that we have overcome throughout history. With amusing visuals and well-known music, this presentation will have students chanting a positive message of hope.
Prehistoric Life of New Jersey, Dig It! (Dinosaurs, Mammoths & Sharks, Oh, My!)
New Jersey’s wildlife has always been diverse and interesting. Examine fossils from New Jersey from one billion years ago to todays endangered and threatened species. Learn about the changes in terrain, sea level and climate that influenced our native species over geologic history and then sort through 15 million year old sediments to find fossils you can keep! (The venue must provide snap-and-seal baggies for each participant.)
Prehistoric Life of New Jersey, Dig It!
Skywatching (Stars, Clouds, Birds & more)
Look up!, what can you see? This presentation looks at the sky and what you can see when you gaze up. Learn the basics of sky-watching, including tips and tricks to enhance your experience. Construct a star-chart that you can use at night. (Venue must provide a DARK room for the presentation.)
Heavenly Wildlife of New Jersey (Wildlife, Astronomy & History)
The night sky includes 88 official constellations. 42 of these celestial connect-the-dots figures are animals. 26 of those are native or domestic New Jersey residents. Hear mythical tales of how these animals made it to the firmament and learn about their habitats down here on Earth. Construct a star-chart that you can use at night. (Venue must provide a DARK room for the presentation.)
New Jersey Underfoot (Geography & Geology of New Jersey)
Sand, wood, soil, concrete and asphalt; this is what we walk on every day without thinking about how it got there, and what else lies beneath our feet! This workshop will examine the geology and geography of our state and how products from the Earth are used by people. For school students, the workshop features hands-on activities that focus on classification, interpretation and investigation. Using natural objects, electronic and hard-copy maps and scale models, educators will conduct activities and participate in techniques that can be incorporated into classroom and after-school activities and lessons. (Hand-outs and sample lesson plans will be provided.)
Sands-On Science (Climate Change & the Jersey Shore)
This interactive program was created in-house in 2019 and includes 5 classroom activities.
Promotional Text 1
It doesn’t matter whether you live near the beach or not, sand is an important part of your life! This workshop examines the worlds most used solid natural resource. Interactive models demonstrate sea-level rise and resiliency. All materials are provided, including the Sandbox, a portable Sand Museum!
Promotional Text 2
In New Jersey we are familiar with the feeling of sand under our feet. What is sand & how has it become the most used solid material on earth? Examine the uses, history & mystery, conduct studies & review lessons to truly get into the grit of the science of sand.
- Activity 1: Beach Profile
This activity is done on location at a beach and includes mapping the formations and slope.
(Teachers can download the lesson plan and conduct this activity on their own.) - Activity 2: The Colors of Sand
Examine the sand under the microscope or magnifying glass.
Using the tweezers, carefully place the sand grains into the boxes provided.
Using the reference chart, identify the minerals in the sand.
Compare your sample to samples from other beaches around the world.
(Teachers can download the lesson plan and conduct this activity on their own.) - Activity 3: The Colors & Shapes of Sand
An expanded version of Activity 2, for older students.
(Teachers can download the lesson plan and conduct this activity on their own.) - Activity 4: Ocean Acidification
Using the materials collected during the prior activities, we then add a mild acid to the sand and examine the results. This then leads to a discussion of the long-term effects of climate change
(Teachers can download the lesson plan and conduct this activity on their own.) - Activity 5: Sea Level Rise & Resiliency
Using the Shoreline Model, participants examine the impacts of sea level rise on a small home on the Jersey shore. Participants use the “wave generator” to recreate a storm surge at low tide, high tide, and future sea levels. The participants then propose options to protect the house and use provided materials to test their ideas.
(Best done live, but teachers can view the presentation online and conduct this activity virtually.)
The Town of Away (Recycling & Waste Management)
Where does stuff go when we throw it AWAY? Why, it goes to the town of AWAY! AWAY, a mythical place we all want to get to, a place for all the stuff we lost or discarded. What would happen if AWAY was real? Examine what happens to our stuff when we are done with it.
Climate Change and New Jersey’s Wildlife (Climate Change & Wildlife)
This program looks at the impacts of climate change and their effects on New Jerseys wildlife and the habitats in which they live. Each page within the presentation is linked to multiple lesson plans and resources. Includes 7-page teachers guide and some familiar musical accompaniment.
Climate Change and New Jersey’s Wildlife
Climate Change and New Jersey’s Wildlife – Automated
Environmental and Wildlife Careers (Life-long Learning and Career Skills)
This presentation looks at the many career paths within the NJDEP as well as federal, state, local, commercial, and non-profit jobs with an environmental focus. Features interviews with a diverse group of employees highlighting their fields, backgrounds, education, and interests.
New Jersey State Symbols (Wildlife & Civics)
The Garden State has over 20 official symbols and more than half are alive. What are the NJ state symbols ? How does something become an official state symbol? Can you help create more? A 3-D display includes all the current and pending state symbols including the state dinosaur, the state dance, and the state cryptid!
Indoor/Outdoor Games & Activities
Staff can conduct or supervise environmental activities from a variety of sources related to the many different environmental topics we regularly support. These hands-on activities vary by subject and grade-level. Most of the activities are taken from the Professional Development Projects (listed below) and require minimum materials and preparation. Advanced training with teachers and parents will allow them to participate and assist with these activities.
WILD ON THE OUTSIDE (Wildlife of New Jersey)
Interactive games and activities that focus on wildlife living in the Garden State. (See paragraph above)
Displays (Events and Festivals – Indoor or Out)
DEP can provide tents, tablecloths, and handouts, but requests the venue supplies up to 2 tables for our displays.
Sands-On Science (Climate Change & the Jersey Shore)
Prehistoric Life of New Jersey, Dig It! (Dinosaurs, Mammoths & Sharks, Oh, My!)
Skins, Skulls, Tails & Tales (Wildlife & Environmental Stewardship)
This exhibit features samples of real and recreated animal skins, skulls, features, nests, claws, teeth, and the stories behind them.
WILD ON THE OUTSIDE (Wildlife of New Jersey)
Interactive Environmental Stewardship Models
These hands-on scale models were built in-house at DEP for educating the public on water pollution, conservation, and environmental awareness.
New Jersey State Symbols
Fish & Wildlife Mobile Education Trailer
See website link
Professional Development for Educators
Project WET
See link for details. Sampler and full workshops available for a limited time.
Project WILD/Aquatic WILD
See link for details. Sampler and full workshops available for a limited time.
Project Learning Tree
See link for details. Sampler and full workshops available for a limited time.
Climate Change
In 2020, New Jersey became the first state in the nation to include Climate Change education in the state standards. This workshop features a sampler of exemplary lessons from multiple sources including; SUBJECTtoCLIMATE, the Projects, NJDEP, and others. Participate in the activities and take a tour of some of these resources to help you find lessons that are appropriate for your classroom needs.
Environmental Education (Life-long Learning)
This workshop is a basic introduction to environmental education practices, resources, and organizations that can assist you in helping your students connect with the world around them.
Greening Your School – Schoolyard Habitats – Take It Outside (Outdoor Classrooms & Gardens)
Whichever name you choose, this workshop explores the many opportunities available to make your school or facility into a learning tool. See how to create an outdoor learning space, attract wildlife, grow a garden, and save money in the process.