Elementary Grades 1-5 Programs

If you do not see a program that meets your needs please contact an Education Specialist so that a specific program can be designed for you.

1. Animal Tracks and Clues (1-5) - Although we do not know it, many animals visit us night, often leaving only footprints as evidence. This activity entails students learning track identification as well as making take-home track replicas with plaster of Paris.
2. Animals of Kansas (3-5) - Habitats and climate in Kansas provide many opportunities for a wide variety of animals and plants. Students will learn about the animals that live in Kansas, what they eat and the habitats in which they live, as well as complete a scavenger hunt to help them identify Kansas animals.
3. Beaks, Bills, Feathers and Quills (1-5) - Birds are fascinating animals from having the ability to fly to the uniqueness of having feathers.  In this program, students will learn about what makes birds so fascinating.
4.  The Dirt on Dirt (3-5) - Using charts and samples, students will learn how soil is made, what its components are, and what organisms may live there.
5. Fossilized In Time (3-5) - Kansas fossils are sought after for their uniqueness and beauty. During this activity, students will be able to make their own Kansas fossil mold and learn when and where the fossil lived, how it formed, as well as other Kansas geological information.
6. Fun-damental Physics (3-5) - Students will complete hands-on stations about electricity and circuits, density, magnetism, gravity, inertia and much more.
7. Incredible Insects (1-5) - Insects are the largest group of all animals, yet we still don't know much about them. In this activity, students will learn some creepy-crawly facts about insects as well as catch and identify them.
8. A Mammals World (3-5) - Mammals are the most distinct animals of the Animal Kingdom and have been around since the age of dinosaurs. Yet, within their own group, they are very diverse amongst themselves. So what makes them so unique? How are mammals different from all other animals of the world? Students will find out this and much, much more in this interactive activity.
9. Mix and Match Animals (1-4) - Dividing animals into groups is an important part of wildlife identification. This program gives students the opportunity to learn how animals are classified, using objects and pictures such as feathers, fur, scales, wings, and behaviors, such as diet and habitat.
10. My Senses Tell Me (K-3) - This lesson facilitates students' interactions with their environment by encouraging them to learn more about their surroundings with their senses, and helps them to become more aware of how much they rely on their senses to learn new things.
11. National Archery in the Schools (4-5) - Students will be involved in standards-based, hands-on activities in archery skills, techniques, safety strategies, shooting form and much more while getting the chance to shoot compound bows.
12. Nature Treasure Hunt (1-5) - There are many hidden treasures in the outdoors, and each one has a special place in nature. This exciting activity gives students the opportunity to look for items that may otherwise be forever overlooked.
13. On the Brink of Extinction (3-5) - People, animals and plants share the earth and depend on each other to live. Due to humans, more wildlife and plants are endangered now than ever before. This activity highlights these points and involves learning about endangered species of plants and animals and studying on specific species.
14. "Rock-It" Science (4-5) - Students will learn about the three rock and mineral classifications and some uses of local rocks and minerals.  By looking at the physical properties that geologists study, students will also have a chance to identify unknown rocks.
15. Wild About Plants (1-3) - Students will learn through hands-on activities why plants are considered a living organism, the parts of plants, how plants grow, the uses of plants and plants under a microscope.
16.  Winterizing Nature (3-5) - What does Mother Nature do to prepare for winter?  We’ll learn what the plants and animals of Kansas do to get ready for the cold months ahead. Some will live, some will die, while others just get up and leave. The ones who stay are either active or sleep…… a lot.

Programs for Smaller Groups of Students (30 or less)

1. The Barefoot Burglar (4-5) - Forensic science is the study of objects that relate to a crime. Students will observe, classify, compare, use numbers, measure, predict, interpret data and draw inferences to solve a crime.
2. Art and Nature - Nature provides ample inspiration for students to explore their artistic talents.  Students will learn how to interpret a piece of music, draw things from an up close and distant perspective, write poetry, create their own style diversity group mural and make a natural sculpture.
3. Owl Pellets (3-5) - In this program, students will have an opportunity to study an owl's diet by dissecting owl pellets.  They will also learn about local owls and their behaviors.  A nominal donation fee per student is requested.  This program needs to be booked at least four weeks in advance, depending on the amount of students that will be in attendance.