LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES

LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES

Education is the heart
of animal protection and wildlife conservation!

New England Primate Conservancy is an animal protection, wildlife conservation, and environmental protection organization that makes its greatest impact through education. Our programs illustrate the inextricable interconnectedness of these disciplines. All of our educational materials are offered without cost so that they may be enjoyed by the broadest possible audiences. Have a look below at the broad range of unique lessons and activities that make learning fun!

As a wildlife conservation and animal protection organization that makes its greatest impact through education, New England Primate Conservancy is committed to leaving a legacy of hope, and tools to build a better tomorrow for all of the Earth’s citizens. What we do in our daily lives impacts the future. Every small change in the right direction carries hope.

Embark on a virtual scavenger hunt that guides you throughout the NEPC website. Each correct clue brings you closer to deciphering a mystery. This engaging and interactive learning activity introduces you to a variety of topics and is a great way to initiate or extend discussions about conservation.
The study of conservation is filled with acronyms to descibe the threat levels to species. It is a veritable alphabet soup of wordplay and abbreviated shortcuts. This lesson breaks the code so you can focus on the long-term health of animal species and their habitats, as well as the threats that they face. 

Each of our lessons and activities address 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.

Learn the "Scientific Method" to discover the shared evolutionary history between and among primate species, including humans. A unique lesson that reinforces our shared evolutionary history and how each animal plays an important role in Mother Nature’s biodiversity.
A lesson for understanding how a dichotomous key can help to identify organisms in nature. In this lesson we explore how to use dichotomous keys to scientifically identify nonhuman primate species. You're the scientist as you solve and create dichotomous keys to identify tamarins and lemurs.
Become a detective and uncover how the ingredients in your candy may be harmful to the rainforests and those who live in them. Videos with very clear action items in each of 5 project steps walk you through how to accomplish each task. Good Detective Strategies and Helpful Hints are included.

As ecosystems nurture those who live in them, in turn, each species nurtures the ecosystem. The daily activities of wildlife result in habitat replenishment, reforestation, and growth. And, of course, animals depend upon their habitats for food, shelter, protection, nourishment, and all of the stuff of life. Thus, our “conservation-themed” lessons and activities relate to primates and other wildlife, and our “primate-themed” lessons relate to conservation. 

Inspired by flashcards, these cyber "flashcards" provide quick and easy insights into a variety of primate species. A fun and educational activity with so much to discover, like why each species may have multiple common names but only one scientific name, where in the world they live, and more.
A unique downloadable primate card deck introduces the diversity of nonhuman primate species and the habitats that they call home. A bonus section reveals "Who's in the Cards." One click brings you to the full Primate Species Profile. Learn while playing!
A journey of discovery, a short video takes you on a world tour of where primate species live. Five activities dig deeper into their habitats and the need to preserve them. Human primates, of course, inhabit every continent. What happens when our world collide?

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.

An activity for understanding what defines rainforests, their vast biodiversity, and their importance to the health of the Earth. A self-guided slideshow sets the stage for the downloadable gameboard and tiles. Have fun while learning!
Chimpanzees, like humans, use facial expressions to communicate and show their feelings. Sometimes chimpanzee facial expressions can look similar to human facial expressions. Sometimes they mean something similar. Sometimes they don’t. Follow the lesson, color, and learn.

If we hope for future generations to take up the mantle to protect and preserve the Earth’s resources, they need to understand the basics of how nature works!

Lessons and activities that we developed since early 2020 have been inspired by the need for a combination of classroom, at-home, and hybrid learning environments. We realize that some pretty clever educational content is needed to keep kids engaged, to make it easier for teachers to teach, for students to learn, and for parents to adapt to their sometimes unintended roles as academic coaches.

Lessons for understanding the natural cycle of life, how nature transfers energy from species to species, and how Mother Nature is self-nourishing, self-maintaining, self-renewing, and self-sustaining. Incorporate into your curricula, share with your children, or enjoy for your own interest.
This lesson starts at the foundation of how Nature supports all life. It explores food chains and energy flows. Includes a section just for educators. Key learning points include the interconnectedness and complexity of ecosystems and how nutrients and energy cycle through ecosystems.
Explore the world of pollinators, the resources they need to survive in their environment, and how cross-pollination is vital for ecosystem recovery and resilience. Consider the unique adaptations plants have to communicate with their pollinators and the reasons behind pollinator flower preferences.

Every animal and plant is vital to its ecosystems, each with its own unique role. We must leave them to do their jobs while preserving and protecting those habitats. It is the intelligence of Mother Nature’s plan.

Nonhuman primates are indicator species of the health of ecosystems. All are at risk due to habitat loss from human activities. If their habitats are threatened, so too is every creature that shares their habitats—and ultimately, so are we.

The backbone of our education programs, Primate Species Profiles is an ever-growing collection of stories of conservation in which our talented team of writers gives lets you peek inside the natural worlds of our fellow primates. Written in easy-to-understand prose...you may be surprised by what you’ll learn!
View and Learn! Primates At-a-Glance is a media gallery of beautiful graphics that gives you glimpses into the worlds of a variety of primate species—apes, monkeys, and prosimians. Species are listed in alphabetical order by common name. Click on any photo for the full species profile. 

The goal 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.