Middle School Programs
Programs are offered by semester, either Fall (September – December) or Spring (January – May). They do not include the exhibits or the Blue Planet Theater. Programs are offered Monday-Friday from 10:30am – 12:30pm.
= indoor component; 
= outdoor component; 
= trail component
Programs are offered by semester, either Fall (September-December) or Spring (January-May). These indoor and outdoor classroom investigations provide an integrated approach to the selected educational standard. They do not include the exhibits or the Blue Planet Theater.
6th Grade Exploratory Program
- Fall: Soil Rocks!
There is so much more to soil than meets the eye! In this program, students will learn about soil formation in Georgia by conducting field work on the GEHC grounds! They will collect soil samples, analyze them, and draw conclusions about how local soils were formed and what they are made of.
GPS: S6CS4; S6E5
AKS: 6SC_E2005-14; 6SC_E2005-17; 6SS_A2007-1; 6SS_A2007-11
Spring: Water & Weather
Meteorology is a fascinating field of science that has a strong connection to the hydrologic cycle. In Water & Weather students will explore the roles of water in various Earth processes, they will collect local weather data using multiple scientific instruments, and then use their data to create a local forecast.
GPS: S6CS4; S6E3; S6E4
AKS: 6SC_A2005-14; 6SC_D2005-15; 6SS_A2007-1; 6SS_A2007-2
7th Grade Exploratory Program
- Fall: The Dynamic Environment
Seasonal changes are easy to identify in North Georgia, but what about the daily changes that are more difficult to spot? In this program, students will collect and analyze environmental data, and then determine how their data affects individuals, populations, and communities at GEHC.
GPS: S7CS4; S7CS9; S7L4
AKS: 7SC_B2205-10; 7SC_B2005-11; 7SC_B2005-12; 7SC_B2005-13; 7SC_B2005-16; 7SS_A2007-11
Spring: Georgia Wildlife: Classified!
Georgia has a huge amount of biodiversity and GEHC is a great place to observe and learn about it! In Georgia Wildlife: Classified! students will become familiar with some of the most common Georgia wildlife as they observe, collect, and classify various organisms.
GPS: S7L1
AKS: 7SC_F2005-18; 7SC_F2—5-19; 7SS_A2007-12
8th Grade Exploratory Program
- Fall: Energy Matters
Nanotechnology is a cutting-edge field of science that has a tremendous number of applications! Energy Matters will introduce students to matter at the nano-scale through hands-on inquiry activities and it will provide students with an understanding of how nanotechnology applies to energy transformations.
GPS: S8P1; S8P2
AKS: 8SC_B2007-11; 8SC_C2007-13
Spring: Magnetism Matters
The unique characteristics of magnets allow them to be extremely useful in a wide variety of applications! In this program, students will participate in hands-on inquiry activities that allow them to observe the interesting properties of matter that magnets possess from nano-scale to macro-scale.
GPS: S8P1; S8P5
AKS: 8SC_B2007-11; 8SC_G2007-20; 8SC_G2007-21
Tours of the F. Wayne Hill Water Resources Center
Time: 10:30-12:30
Take a guided, walking tour of Gwinnett’s state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility! Students will follow the path of wastewater as it is treated through numerous fascinating processes at the F. Wayne Hill Water Resources Center near the GEHC.
Museum Tours
Time: 11:00-12:30
The Museum Tour option is available for Middle School groups. Students will learn about the history and importance of water through a guided tour of the Blue Planet Theater, Discover H20, Rivers to Reefs and Water Ways exhibits. Our Gold Certified LEED Building tour will allow students to gain more knowledge about reusing materials and sustainable practices. The Museum Tour does not include a trail walk.
2009-2010 Guidelines
6th – 7th Grade Exploratory Programs
September 8 – May 7
- Reservations are required. Exploratory and F. Wayne Hill Water Resource Center Programs are offered daily Monday-Friday from 10:30am - 12:30pm. Museum Tours are offered daily Monday-Friday from 11:00am - 12:30pm.
Please note: late arrival will reduce program time. - Minimum class size is 15 students. Class size is limited to 28 students maximum. Total group size is limited to 112 students.
- The ratio for chaperones is 1:14. The maximum number of chaperones per class is 3. The minimum age for chaperones is 18 years old. Chaperones should make other arrangements for younger siblings.
- Lunch space is available on a reservation-only, first-come, first-served basis.
- The Middle School Programs do not include the exhibits or the Blue Planet Theater. Groups should register for the Museum Tour in order to utilize those amenities. The Museum Tour does not include a trail walk.
Admission for Middle School Programs
Gwinnett County Student $7.00
Out-of-County Student $10.00
Gwinnett County Chaperone $7.00
Out-of-County Chaperone $10.00
There is no charge for teachers or staff with a valid school ID.
For reservations call Education Registrar, Leslie Morris, at 770.904.3513
Gwinnett County Public Schools maintains a partnership with the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center through its on-going support of educational programs designed to advance student achievement in Science. GCPS Lead Teachers supervise the educational content of the programs offered at the Center and welcome your suggestions. For questions concerning our programs, please contact:
- For Pre-Kindergarten- 5th Grade Programs
Contact: Kathy Barrett at kathy_barrett(at)gwinnett.k12.ga.us
For Middle & High School Programs
Contact: Holly Rutledge at holly_rutledge(at)gwinnett.k12.ga.us
