Branching Out With Trees
Students will broaden their knowledge about trees as they hike and learn to identify trees through distinguishing characteristics such as bark and leaf shape.
{May-November}
Grades K-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Prairie Patterns
Students will explore the plants, animals and history of the Illinois prairie as we hike through the forest preserve. Watch as we turn a student into a prairie animal!
{June-November}
Grades K-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Wetlands and Waterfowl
We will head to the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve and learn about the five fabulous functions of wetlands. Students will be introduced to the animal and plant life within the kettle marsh and waterfowl areas at Middle Fork.
{July-October}
Grades 3-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Aquatic Ecologist - Newly Updated!
Students will discuss how watersheds are related to water quality. Then they will test water quality using simple kits and compare results with the aquatic organisms they collect. Pre-trip review of vocabulary is essential for this program.
{Mid-April - Mid-October}
Grades 3-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Frog Follies
Explore the frog and toad life cycle. Have a hoppin' good time while singing in a frog chorus and turning a classmate into a frog.
{Mid-April - Mid-October}
Grades K-2
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Hatchet
This program is designed to complement Hatchet, a story of a young boy's adventure in the wilderness by Gary Paulsen. Students will interpret the book through hands-on activities, including basic survival skills. Available only at Homer Lake Forest Preserve.
{Year-Round}
Grades 4-6
Program Length: 2 hours
Sights and Sounds of Nature
Students will hike and explore the wonders of our natural world. Students will be engaged in a variety of hands-on discovery using their senses.
{Year-Round}
Grades K-6
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Remarkable Reptiles
Learn more about the anatomy and adaptations of these ancient creatures. Students get an opportunityto meet our resident reptiles face to face.
{April - October}
Grades K-5
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Into Insects
Students have the opportunity to go searching for these six-legged creatures. Discover what makes an insect unique and where these creatures are hiding.
{April - November}
Grades K-5
Program Length: 1.5 hours
The Nature of Winter
Take a break from being indoors and gain a new appreciation for this surprisingly active time of year. Students will explore physical and behavioral adaptations that allow local flora and fauna to survive winter, and hike to observe these first hand.
{December - March}
Grades K-6
Program Length: 1-1.5 hours
Birds of a Feather
Students will learn basic bird identification and explore their amazing adaptations. Then we'll go on a hike to find birds living in the preserves.
{Year-Round}
Grades K-6
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Illinois Mammals
Learn about Illinois mammals and how the presence of wildlife has changed since Illinois was settled. We will transform a classmate into a mammal and then search for clues left behind by area mammals.
{Year-Round}
Grades K-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Naturalist in the Classroom
A member of the environmental education staff will visit your classroom and bring the flora and fauna indoors. Visits may be scheduled anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Presentation length varies from 30 minutes to an hour per classroom. Our favorite classroom visits include: Remarkable Reptiles, Trees, Insects, Birds and Illinois Mammals.
{Year-Round}
Grades K-8
Program Length: Variable
Junior Winter Bird Feeding Challenge
In this exciting new program, students will maintain bird feeders and make observations of birds at your school; then they send in their data to the Illinois Audubon Society for compilation. Education staff also visit your classroom three times during November, January and February to introduce the program and conduct activities about bird identification and adaptations. This year, due to the generous suport of the Champaign County Audubon Society, through a grant from the National Audubon Society, we are able to offer this program free of charge! Space is limited; call for more information.
{November-February}
Grades 2-6
Program Length: Visits 1 & 2 are 45 minutes; visit 3 is 20 minutes.
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Growing Up in the 19th Century
What was it like to be a child in the past? Was it similar to today or vastly different? We'll see!
Grades 1-2
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Over the River and Through the Woods
How did people move west? Students will explore the many ways both people and manufactured goods made their way to the frontier.
Grades 2-3
Program Length: 1.5 hours
A Roof Over Your Head
A lot can be learned about pioneers by looking at their homes. Take a closer look at house-building methods and learn what it was like to live in a pioneer house.
Grades 3-4
Program Length: 1.5 hours
First Illinoisans
Long before Euro-American settlers arrived in Illinois, the region was home to many native peoples. What was life like for these first Illinoisans? How have things changed?
Grades 3-5
Program Length: 2 hours
School House/School Days
Were all teachers once mean and strict? Were all children polite? Find out in our old-time schoolhouse! Spend a morning or afternoon "back in history" with one of our schoolmarms or masters. This program is available most days in October, and mid-April through May.
Grades 2-5
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Wagons Ho!
Pack your wagon because we're heading west! Learn how to get to Oregon and find out what a skid, an heirloom and a tinderbox have in common. Wherever you are in your trek across the Oregon Trail unit, this program will spice it up.
Grades 4-5
Program Length: 2 hours
Ft. Sumter Has Surrendered: J.T. Everett Has Not!
How many major Civil War battles were fought in Illinois? None. Does that mean the war had no impact on Illinoisans? No! Learn about the effect of the war in Illinois and what it was like to be a soldier; and enjoy a special surprise ending!
Grades 5-8
Program Length: 2 hours
Kids as Collectors
For several years, area children have exhibited their personal collections in our Kids as Collectors cases. Encourage your students to contact the Early American Museum about displaying their collections this year.
Grades K and Up
Contact the Early American Museum for more information.
Kids as Curators
Kids as Curators is an exciting opportunity for you and your students to experience history through collecting, something we all do! Learn the who, what, when, where and why of collecting. Through classroom visits by museum staff and a trip to the museum, you will discover what really goes on "behind the scenes" in our museum. Your class will design and put together their collection, which will be on display in the museum for several months. This project will be tailored to meet your needs. Participation is limited. Contact the Early American Museum for more information.
Writing Historic Tales
What a great way to incorporate Social Studies and Language Arts into one exciting program! Local children's authors team up with our educator for storytelling and writing. Learn some secrets to writing historic fiction, then study museum artifacts and begin writing a story based on what you saw. This program most often takes place in the museum, but can also be presented in your classroom. Available dates are contingent upon your needs and the author's schedule.
Grades 3-8
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Educator in the Classroom
If you are finding it difficult to schedule a field trip to the Early American Museum, consider bringing a part of us to you! Our historical educator will tailor her visit to meet your classroom needs. Possibilities include, but are not limited, to, established traveling kits; specific topic program, such as the Depression Era; and projects, such as oral histories. Call to discuss any idea you have for your class. This experience could be for one class, multiple classes, or your entire school.
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Seed Safari
Students will explore plant life cycles and plant diversity, and experience the botanical garden through games, drama and science experiments.
{April-October}
Grades K-2
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Botany Basics
Explore the world of botany. Learn why plants are important and study their diverse structures and adaptations. Students will participate in a hands-on seed planting activity followed by a tour of the botanical garden.
{April-October}
Grades 3-5
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Horticultural Education in the Classroom
Soil Science
Students will learn about the diversity and contents of soil through hands-on investigations. They will look for decomposers in their own humus box, make mini mud pies to learn different soil types, and mix their own potting soil for planting seeds.
{Year-Round}
Grades 1-5
Program Length: 1 hour
Seed Safari & Botany Basics
A modified version of Seed Safari and Botany Basics is also available in your classroom. Visits can be scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
{Year-Round}
Program Length: Varies from 30 minuts to 1 hour per classroom
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