Would you like the SM&NC to come to you?

Our SM&NC in the Schools Outreach Programs are designed to provide in-class, hands-on programming for groups that cannot travel to the museum or that would like additional program experiences in-school. Have a goat, chinchilla, or lizard visit your classroom, travel 600 years in the past to discover Woodland Indian life, create a map of Connecticut, explore the three rock types, and more!

Click HERE for progam pricing and reservation form!

Grade Level

Search by grade level

Early Childhood and Preschool

Program Type

Search by Program Type

Live Animal Programs

Meet Our Staff

All SM&NC school programs are taught by professional environmental educators, many of whom hold Master's Degrees. Our educators all have extensive experience teaching children about nature and the natural sciences in both indoor and outdoor settings. We look forward to meeting your group!

Lisa Monachelli, Director of Education & Heckscher Farm
Lisa has been with the SM&NC since 2010. She holds Bachelor's Degrees in Biology and English/Creative Writing from WV Wesleyan College and a Master's Degree in Environmental Education from Southern CT State University. Before coming to SM&NC, she worked for CT DEP Divisions of State Parks and Education, Maine Audubon Society and the New Canaan Nature Center. She has been previously named the Outstanding Outdoor Educator for Connecticut by the CT Outdoor & Environmental Education Assoc. Her favorite part of sharing nature with children is to instill appreciation for "nature's underdogs" - those plants and animals often disliked. She is responsible for program scheduling, working with many of our grant-funded programming, creating curricula, teaching school and public programs. She is also serves as our Summer Camp Director.

Victoria Jaffery, Assistant Director of Education & Heckscher Farm                                                                                                                                                                                                  Victoria has been with the SM&NC since 2007. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science from the University of Rhode Island. Before coming to the SM&NC, she worked at the Bronx Zoo, the CT Humane Society and various horse farms in the area. As Assistant Director of Heckscher Farm, Victoria is responsible for the managing Education and Animal Care Managers, Interns, and volunteers. She teaches many of our farm classes, including Otterly Amazing and Hands-on Heckscher.

Mark Mogensen, Manager of Heckscher Farm Operations
Mark has been with the SM&NC since 2008. He Holds a B.A. in Natural Resource Management and Engineering with a concentration in Wildlife Management from the University of Connecticut. Before the SM&NC, he worked for the State of CT Department of Environmental Protection for three years. Mark has a true passion for everything outdoors with an affinity for wildlife and landscape photography. As Co-Manager of Heckscher Farm, Mark is responsible for the daily operation and the maintenance of all farm grounds and buildings. Mark also teaches many classes on the farm including Hands-on Heckscher and the Junior Curator Program. Mark can often be found outdoors on the grounds tending to the farm

Nick Kovalik, Assistant Manager of Education                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Nick has been with the SM&NC since 2023. He has a bachelor's degree in zoology from the University of Maine in Orono as well as a master’s degree in biology and a post-baccalaureate certificate in zoo and aquarium studies from Western Illinois University in Macomb. Nick is also certified as an interpretive guide through the National Association of Interpretation. Nick has extensive volunteer experience with Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport. He has also worked at The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk and Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley, Illinois. As assistant manager of education, Nick teaches a variety of programs on animals, the environment, science, agriculture, and history. He also oversees the education team. Nick has a love for the natural world and a passion for conservation.

Niall Fitzgerald, Environmental Educator                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Niall started  at the SM&NC in the spring of 2025. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental studies from Stonehill College in MA. Before the nature center Niall worked at the Bronx Zoo, Maritime Aquarium, Beardsley Zoo, and the Greenburgh Nature Center. He has a passion for all wildlife but reptiles are his favorite and loves to spread awareness about the creatures of which people are often afraid.

Emily Resnik, Environmental Educator                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Emily is an enthusiastic Environmental Educator who started working at the SM&NC in 2025. She has a bachelor's degree in Sustainability from Hofstra University. Before SM&NC, Emily worked for several nature-based organizations such as the Greenwich Audubon Society, the Wolf Conservation Center, the New Canaan Nature Center, the Pound Ridge Land Trust, SoundWaters and Bedford Farms. Emily loves demonstrating her passion and knowledge with her students and SM&NC guests and can frequently be found sharing fun facts and anecdotes with those around her. As an Environmental Educator at SM&NC Emily is responsible for both animal care and creating and delivering exciting, interactive, and educational animal and science programs.

Joshua Sefranek, Environmental Educator                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Joshua started as an environmental educator at SM&NC back in the fall of 2024. Prior to working here, Joshua journeyed up and down the coast, applying his degree in conservation biology as an environmental educator in a variety of settings. From working as a naturalist in South Carolina to running informative tours at the Bronx Zoo, Joshua has spent his life pursuing one goal: instill and promote passion and enthusiasm for nature and wildlife. If you catch him around the farm, make sure to ask him about his favorite trees! (Assuming you'll want to listen to him ramble on for the rest of the afternoon.)

Ben Schmitt, Environmental Educator                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Ben has been with Stamford Museum and Nature Center since 2022. He holds a B.S in Environmental Science from the University of New Haven. He's taken care of gardens and farm animals since middle school, volunteering as an apprentice and Mentor at Ambler Farm in Wilton, CT. His favorite topic to teach about is adaptions and how animals and plants have evolved over time to become what they are now. When he isn't teaching, Ben can be found taking care of the more exotic animals at SM&NC, and will talk forever about what makes each of them so amazing.