Lathrop E. Smith Environmental
Education Center
 his center, owned and operated by Montgomery County Public Schools, is
located approximately in the middle of Montgomery County and is included
completely within the boundaries of the Rock Creek Regional Park. Meadowside
Nature Center is a short walk away and visits can be arranged through
the on-site coordinator. The 450 acres of rolling hills which are immediately 
adjacent to the Smith Center have been dedicated as a natural or conservation
area by the park commission. As such, the springs, marshes, creeks, lake,
 ponds, forests, meadows and newly constructed emergent wetland are being
managed and maintained as environmental study areas. Hiking trails provide
access to all points. Program possibilities at Smith Center include water
quality monitoring along the nearby North Branch of Rock Creek. Orienteering
courses designed to teach map and compass skills have been established
in the area. Nearby grist mill ruins and an old graveyard provide sites
for historical studies.A planetarium with a 14'  dome and the Bob Wright
Observatory are available to further astronomy activities. The 80 foot
Stan Ernst Observation Tower can be used with many studies. A physically
and mentally challenging Confidence Course is popular with students and
is for use by teachers who have participated in the Confidence Course
Trainer's Workshop (EE-06). The media center, called the Retriever Room,
contains instructional resources to support the outdoor education programs
at all centers. Various worm composting bins and a composting demonstration
area encourage students to recycle whenever possible.
last updated 2/2005 |
