The Natural Resources of San Mateo County
School Program
Providing Plenty
How did natural resources contribute to the growth of San Mateo County?
Tour
Visit a tule house, learn about mission outposts, and see a lumberjack’s tools as you discover Nature’s Bounty. The tour depicts the experiences of the different people who have been a part of the county’s history.
Students discover how the Ohlone, Spanish, Mexican, and American used the natural resources they found in the county to support their daily lives and to build San Francisco.
Discover the natural resources on a Spanish mission farm.
Ohlone Activities
After the tour, students “live” the Ohlone lifestyle as they try some of the following activities:
- Preparing an acorn meal
- Using a pump drill to make shell beads
- Twining cordage
- Playing Ohlone games
- Allergy Alert: Nuts and furs are used during program
Objectives
- Students will be able to identify natural resources of the area used by the Ohlone, Spanish and Mexicans.
- Students will be identify the changing use of natural resources as inhabitants moved from the Ohlone hunter‐gather lifestyle to the Spanish agrarian lifestyle.
- Students will be able to identify the importance of natural resources to the rancho economy.
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- Geared to third and fourth graders.
- History-Social Science Content Standards: 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 4.2, 4.3, 4.5.
- On-Site Cost: $108 per class. There is an additional charge of $6 per student for every student over 30.
- Virtual Cost: $50 without hands-on activities, $70 with hands-on activities.
- Fees apply to ONE CLASS PER PROGRAM
- A double program is charged for two programs.
Online during COVID-19
The San Mateo County Historical Association is offering virtual school programs during COVID.
Program
Discover the experiences of the different people who have been a part of the county’s history in this virtual program. First, students will view a pre-recorded video tour of the Nature’s Bounty exhibit. Then, students will engage in a docent-led Zoom presentation to discover how the Ohlone, Spanish, Mexican and Americans used the natural resources they found in the county to support their daily lives and to build San Francisco. An optional hands-on activity, creating a replica staves game set, is also available for an additional fee.
Details
- Available on Tuesdays-Fridays at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. (other times by special arrangement)
- Link to pre-recorded tour will be mailed after payment is received.
- Hands-on Activity materials will be mailed to the school; contact us if you require alternate arrangements. Please schedule tours with hand-on activities at least 10 days advance to allow for kit assembly and mailing.
- Fees 2021-2022: Fees apply to one class per program.
- Without hands-on activity: $50 for a 40-minute program
- With hands-on activity: $60 for a 50-minute program
Some scholarships are available for low-income schools. To apply, complete the online scholarship form.
Hands-On History
