LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES

LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES

Education is the heart of animal protection and wildlife conservation!

New England Primate Conservancy offers a broad range of project-based unique lessons and activities that make learning fun! All educational content is provided without cost so that it may be enjoyed by the widest possible audiences. The programs illustrate the interconnectedness and interdependence of animal and environmental conservation.

Our project-based lessons allow students to work individually or in teams. Students can actively engage in real-world and personally meaningful activities. The lessons encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, self-management, project management, and collaboration. All can be applied across multiple academic disciplines. All are engaging, with games, graphics, videos, and more.

Each addresses issues pertaining to wildlife, their habitats, and the conservation of their ecosystems. Even those that are specifically primate-themed speak to the importance of habitat conservation and why habitat preservation and protection are important to the futures of our fellow primates. It is impossible to disentangle the interdependence of species and their ecosystems.

You’ve asked for more ways to bring NEPC into the classroom and we’ve responded with on-demand Our Cousins in the Canopy videocasts, Primates…in a Nutshell videos, and scheduled webinars. Learn more by clicking on the graphics below. 

The goal of all of our educational content is responsible stewardship of our planet and her creatures because…education is the heart of animal protection and conservation. We can all be part of the solution. Education is the key.

In this captivating videocast series, you’ll be astonished by the vast array of primate species, their incredible diversity, and the unique ways they adapt to their environments. You’ll also find that, despite the title of this series, many of our nonhuman primate relatives do not reside in the treetops.
“In a nutshell” is an idiomatic expression that refers to describing or summarizing something as briefly and concisely as possible. When it comes to the very intricate and complex lives of our primate cousins, this is no easy task. This video series provides quick insights into various aspects of nonhuman primates’ lives.
Part of the "Primates...in a Nutshell series, this is a video journey into the world of primates, their habitats, their lifestyles, and more. A collection of youth-friendly videos for understanding primates, primate conservation, and how everyone can help.
Do you have a school project about primates or primate conservation? Are you setting up an informational or fundraising booth about primates and primate conservation at your school fair? Have you wondered about how you can help raise awareness for primate protection? Not sure of where and how to begin? Many kids ask us for ideas, so we’ve created these suggestions.
The study of conservation is filled with acronyms. From the organizations that make determinations about threats to species to the many scientific teams that provide critical data to the Conservation Statuses assigned to each species, it is a veritable alphabet soup of wordplay and abbreviated shortcuts. This lesson demystifies these codes and why they are important.
Embark on a virtual scavenger hunt that takes you through NEPC’s website, where you can discover the importance of primate conservation. Each guided step helps you uncover clues that lead to solving a mystery quote. This fun and interactive learning experience covers a range of topics related to conservation and primate protection. It's particularly popular in high school programs, and also suits students in lower grades with educator support.
Rainforests! The Earth’s lungs. They’re being destroyed globally at unimaginable rates. Here's an engaging lesson and activity designed to explore the defining features of rainforests, their incredible biodiversity, and their crucial role in maintaining Earth's health. A beautiful video introduces the concepts supported by a downloadable game and fun lesson modules! Includes Educational Standards.
Chimpanzees, much like humans, utilize facial expressions to convey emotions and communicate. At times, their facial expressions may resemble those of humans, and their meanings can be similar as well. Sometimes they aren’t! Engage with the lesson, color, and explore the learning experience. This content aligns with Educational Standards.
Crested black macaques are known for their striking facial expressions! Like all primates, they rely on these expressions to convey their emotions. This resource features a BBC Earth video, intriguing facts, and four coloring pages you can fill in however you wish. Educational standards are also included.
Dive into the world of mystery as a detective to unveil the secrets behind how your favorite sweet treats might be causing trouble for rainforests and their inhabitants. Engaging videos breaking down five mission steps to tackle each challenge. Plus, get ready for some top-notch Detective Strategies, Action Items, and Handy Hints along the way!
This is Primate Jeopardy! Inspired by the popular TV game show, we've adapted this template to help you assess your knowledge of primates or explore the NEPC website for answers. Discover fascinating facts about apes, monkeys, and prosimians, including their habitats and ways you can help protect them. Don’t forget to phrase your responses as questions!
Your daily choices impact habitats and the creatures for whom they are home. From the products you purchase to your entertainment choices, how you use social media, and your choice of animal companions, you can make a difference, if even a small difference. Thousands of people making small changes result in significant differences. And that’s really good news!
A one-of-a-kind downloadable primate card deck includes instructions for four engaging games, showcasing the diversity of nonhuman primate species and their natural habitats. A bonus section titled "Who's in the Cards" offers a quick link to detailed Primate Species Profiles. Enjoy learning while you play! Now aligned with Educational Standards.
Inspired by traditional flashcards, these digital "flashcards" offer quick and accessible insights into various primate species. This engaging and educational activity invites exploration, uncovering fascinating facts such as why each species can have several common names yet only one scientific name, their habitats around the globe, and much more.
Embark on a voyage of exploration through a brief video that guides you around the globe to explore where the world’s primates call home. Delve further into their environments and the importance of conservation through five engaging activities. While human primates can be found on every continent, what unfolds when our worlds intersect?
Primate species exhibit remarkable diversity. Explore the "art" of crafting well-informed theories to understand the various adaptations in their appearances and lifestyles. Utilize the 5-step scientific method to create and support your hypotheses. In this lesson, the process of reaching your conclusions weighs more heavily than correctness.
Get ready for a mind-blowing journey into the world of scientific species identification. Unlock the secrets of classifying nonhuman primates. Gear up to put on your scientist hat as you crack codes and craft dichotomous keys to distinguish between the feisty tamarins and the lively lemurs. Let the scientific sleuthing begin!
Apply the 7-Step Scientific Method to explore the common evolutionary history of primate species, including humans. This engaging lesson emphasizes our interconnected evolutionary journey and highlights the vital role each animal plays in the rich tapestry of Mother Nature's biodiversity.

"WHAT IS NATURE?" MODULES:

Lesson 1 of the "What is Nature?" series establishes a foundation for grasping how Nature supports all life forms. Understanding Nature is crucial for its protection. This lesson explores food chains and energy flows, including a special section for educators. Key learning points emphasize the complex interconnections within ecosystems and the cycling of nutrients and energy throughout these systems.
In Lesson 2 of "What is Nature?" we explore the intriguing world of pollinators, emphasizing the vital resources they need to flourish in their environments. This lesson underscores the important role of cross-pollination in promoting ecosystem recovery and resilience. Consider the extraordinary adaptations that plants have developed to attract their pollinators, along with the various factors that affect pollinator flower preferences.
Lesson 3 of "What is Nature?" delves into Biodiversity, the very foundation of life! It embodies Mother Nature's winning formula for success! Discover Earth's Living Organisms, which encompass Genetic, Species, and Ecosystem Diversity, along with Biodiversity Hotspots and the steps we can take to promote biodiversity. This lesson includes captivating videos, insightful graphics, and interactive activities.
Bring NEPC into your classroom, school, library, or organization with our informative educational webinars. Contact us to schedule your webinar! Click here to learn how.