About Mound House Field Trips
Mound House field trips are ideal for 4th and 5th grade level students. However, our programs are adaptable to audiences of varying grade levels – email or call 239-765-0865 with questions.
Field trips are scheduled in 2-hour blocks. Students will learn about Florida history and prehistory, how archaeology is used to understand the past, and the connection between humans and the environment.
During your visit, students will participate in 3 rotating activities (listed below), as well as have free time exploring the grounds, observation pier, museum exhibits, and museum store with a chaperone.
Groups are required to have a minimum of 10 students to be scheduled, and are limited to a maximum of 60 students per visit. A 1:10 ratio of adults to students is required.
Student activities take place in mostly in an outdoor environment – insect repellent, sunscreen, bottled water, and snacks are highly recommended. Groups are welcome to enjoy lunch at the picnic tables following the conclusion of the field trip programs. No secured storage for lunches or coolers are available. Bathrooms are available on site. All facilities are ADA accessible.
Due to heavy traffic on Fort Myers Beach from January through April, we encourage morning visits and if possible for trips to be taken May through December.
Payment and completion of appropriate paperwork is required before activities can take place.
Student Programs Offered
Please chose three:
Calusa Archaeology– This lesson introduces students to the field of archaeology. Students are challenged to think like archaeologists using a simulated excavation site to draw conclusions and record data. This lesson was developed to work most effectively with middle school learners however, the lesson can be scaled to any level.
Estuary Go! – This lesson introduces students to the estuarine environment surrounding Mound House. Students will randomly be assigned estuarine plants and animals to discover their relationship with the broader ecosystem. This lesson was designed for middle school learners but can be scaled to any level with younger students, for example, working together as one collaborative group to explore the estuary at large.
Calusa Masks– This lesson introduces students to Calusa culture. By utilizing masks, an object used for ceremonial and practical reasons across cultures and time, students will explore how and why the Calusa used masks. Students will learn about Calusa art and culture and cross cultural comparisons by making their own paper mask to represent someone or something meaningful in their lives. This lesson was developed with elementary students in mind but it can be scaled to a higher level of engagement as needed with nuanced discussions.
Surviving and Building Native – Students will compare compare and contrast modern and historic lifestyles of the people of Fort Myers Beach from the Calusa Period to today. At the end of the lesson students will be able to identify native plant and animal resources used by the Calusa. This lesson was designed for elementary learners but can be scaled up to high levels of engagement.
Calusa Tools- This lesson introduces students to Calusa material culture with replica Calusa era artifacts spanning utility and cultural uses. By using unstructured discussions and discovery-based learning, this lesson allows students to develop a deeper understanding of Calusa culture by “hands-on” history. The lesson includes an exciting spear-throwing demonstration! This lesson was designed for elementary learners but can be scaled up for higher levels of engagement.