Exploratory Enrichment
Exploratory Enrichment is a program through Erie 1 BOCES and local cultural sites that provides meaningful opportunities for children by combining in school work and a learning day at a local site. The current offerings are listed below. For more information on any of these programs or to book, please contact Debbie Schweigert at (716) 821-7188 or Email Debbie Schweigert.
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
Albright-Knox Art Gallery Art’scool Program
Erie 1 BOCES teachers are invited to schedule free guided tours for K–12 school groups as part of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery’s Art’scool program, which is designed to support the development of the critical and creative thinkers of tomorrow. Art’scool tours include a transportation subsidy, are led by an Albright-Knox–trained docent, and align with New York State Learning Standards and Next Generation Learning Standards.
Albright-Knox Art Gallery Access AK: Creative Connection Program
Organizations that provide services for people with disabilities are invited to schedule free individualized group sessions through the Albright-Knox Art Gallery’s Creative Connection program. Using guided tours, hands-on art workshops, and discussions specifically designed to meet the needs and interests of each participating group, this program enables and encourages individuals to express themselves both verbally and nonverbally in the embrace of the museum.
Aquarium of Niagara
Erie 1 BOCES and the Aquarium of Niagara have teamed up to offer a S.T.E.M. aligned educational experience. Teachers and students will have the opportunity to observe and document the myriad of organisms living in the seas. Learn more about the opportunities at the Aquarium of Niagara.
Buffalo Museum of Science
The Buffalo Museum of Science offers tours and workshops to allow students to experience the different exhibits and learning opportunities at the museum. The Buffalo Museum of Science offers programming in a range of science disciplines and tailored to specific grade levels. The museum tailors their offerings to the New York State science standards to align with the curriculum.
Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village
Join the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village and E1B in an authentic learning experience in which your students are immersed in social studies and historical thinking skills. Students will engage in inquiry-based activities aligned with the Social Studies Standards and critical elements of the Next Generation Literacy Standards. This experience will culminate in students creating an authentic presentation of their learning in student-led tours of the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village. Learn more about the experience here.
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra offers age appropriate,interactive youth concerts for students in pre-K-12th grades throughout the year, as well as musician visits to classrooms through the BPO Connect teaching artist program.
Buffalo Zoo
The Buffalo Zoo offers a wide variety of programs for students that cover a range of topics and are tailored to specific age ranges. In addition to trips to the Zoo for programs, classrooms can also take advantage of distance learning opportunities, where students learn about and observe animals at the zoo, while never leaving their classroom. Click here for a link to a pre-sale form for your group.
Burchfield Penney Art Center
The Burchfield Penney Art Center has a range of educational programs serving pre-K through grade 12 including children with special needs. Their aim is to provide insight, encourage open mindedness, and offer opportunities for deeper and more meaningful interactions with art and artists. A visit to The Center connects children to art, to ideas, to one another and to the community in which they live.
At The Center, they offer workshops that continue and underscore the learning begun in the center exhibitions. They connect tours to curriculum offering the Ekphrastic Tour (ELA), Discovering Architecture Tour (Math), and What Makes the BPAC Green? Tour (Science).
Darwin Martin House
Join the Martin House Complex and E1B in a literacy-focused learning experience in which your students explore the correlation between the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, critical elements of the Next Generation Learning Standards, the STEAM movement, and NYSK12SS Framework, all resulting in student-led tours of the Martin House Complex. Learn more about the Martin House Program.
Earth Spirit
Earth Spirit offers a variety of environmental programs for schools.These programs are conducted at Earth Spirit field centers, your school or facility or any other prearranged location (e.g. parks, camps or private sanctuaries). Their educators are available year-round for half-day (up to three hours), full-day (up to six hours) or residential experiences.
Genesee Country Village & Museum
Genesee Country Village & Museum offers a number of programs specifically for school groups. Classes can choose a self-guided tour, or a focused field study which focuses on a particular area of the curriculum and areas of the village. Additionally, in late April-early May and late-October, the village offers guided tours, where the tour guide is dressed in traditional 19th century attire and tours the groups to six different buildings in the village.
Just Buffalo Literary Center
Just Buffalo Writing Center offer a variety of in-school creative writing programs including writers-in-residence, bookmaking, performance poetry, graphic novel writing, creative college essay writing, and more. They are also a free after school gathering place for students between the ages of 12-18, designed to aid young and emerging writers in the cultivation of their writing skills through writing workshops, literary events, and one-on-one assistance with all kinds of writing. Learn more about the programs at Just Buffalo Literary Center here.
The Lancaster Opera House hosts a number of affordable student matinees throughout the year. These shows, performed during school hours, are geared towards different age groups and are often based on a book that may be included in the curriculum.
Music is Art Music is Art's mission is "exploring and reshaping music's cultural, social, and educational impact on our community." In addition to their major festival each year, Music is Art also offers a number of educational programs for local schools which allows students to experience music within their communities.
Shea's Performing Art Center
Shea's Performing Art Center provides a number of educational experiences for students, including group tickets to shows and performances at their theater.
Theatre of Youth- TOY
Theatre of Youth has always been dedicated to providing enriching experiences for the youth of WNY. While the plays are certainly entertaining, they pride themselves on performing shows that have underlying themes and messages that are important for all children. Whether it be highlighting the impact of bullying; demonstrating empathy, awareness, and sharing; questioning ethical dilemmas like plagiarism; or dealing with acceptance, diversity, and self-identity; Theatre of Youth provides a safe, responsible, alternative space to explore and practice the fundamental tools of the Next Generation Learning Standards. Not only that, students don’t even realize the great things they are learning because they are having so much fun!
Young Audiences of WNY (YAWNY)
Young Audiences offers residencies, workshops, and assembly performances with professional artists. A residency is a series of three or more workshop days with a teaching artist, allowing students to experience high-level, in-depth learning. Workshops and assemblies can be part of residencies or can be booked independently. Programming is customizable based on curriculum needs, school themes, or special events.