Animal Encounter
Enjoy a trip to our nature center to discover different kinds of animals native and non-native to Ohio. We will learn about animal parts, adaptations, and simple similarities as well as differences between reptiles and amphibians. Students will use their senses to observe these creatures hands-on for an experience they will never forget!
Birds of a Feather
Discover birds you can see in this area, and in your own backyards! Students will identify the different parts of a bird that makes it different from other types of animals. Students will see how different birds are specially made to help them survive their environments.
Creek Critters
This is a safe and unique chance to discover the water and wildlife of Alum Creek. Working together in groups, students will take part in a scavenger hunt, use underwater viewers to observe beneath the surface of the creek and try to catch crayfish and aquatic insects using nets and even bare hands!
Discovery Hike
Young students will enjoy an exploratory hike through the woods. While on the hike, students will be collecting items in order to make “nature necklaces.” Nature will provide the schedule as we discover plants, animals, rocks and other interesting things and look for evidence of life in the forest.
Green Sprouts
There are many ecosystems of various sizes on our planet. This class will help students understand interactions between living and nonliving things within an ecosystem. Students will play a predator/prey game, and then be able to construct their own ecosystem with craft supplies.
Hidden
Enjoy learning about natural camouflage and the different animals that benefit from this adaptation. After going on a hidden “woolly worm” hike, students will observe and reflect upon different characteristics that make camouflage successful, and then play a game to experience how important camouflage is between predators and prey.
Interesting Insects
Insects are everywhere in the world around us. This class teaches about characteristics of insects through a variety of activities. By the end of the class, students will gain an appreciation for insects and be able to identify which arthropods they see in everyday life are insects and which are not.
Making Tracks
A trek into the woods will show students evidence of animals that visit the forest. Students will then work in groups to discover animal tracks, the native Ohioan creatures that made the tracks, and a few different characteristics about each unique animal.
Nature Craft
Students will enjoy crafting, creating, and using simple items found in nature. Options include making and taking home a bird nest, collage, nature journal, sun catchers, nature rubbings, or a tree cookie mural.
Sounds of Nature
Discover how everything makes characteristic sounds through a form of vibration. Using age-appropriate objects and senses, students will discover the various methods of sound production and then categorize them. Students will also learn about animals that use the same method to create the sound in nature.
The Fantastic Five
Learn about the five senses through hands-on activities singling out each sense. We will compare our senses to a few animals that share those same senses, and then test each one through listening, smelling, tasting, feeling, and seeing activities.
Under Your Feet
Explore the forest floor as we use tools to dig into the dirt and see what we can find. We will discover both living and non-living things, as well as plant parts and what they need to survive. Be prepared for excitement and fun as we learn what interesting things are underneath our feet!
Wild Ohio
Students will explore the different facets of a mammal’s life through playing games, holding live specimens and investigating animal pelts.
Rockin' Habitats
We all love animals. What is you were given the chance to create an animal and give it some characteristics to help it survive in its habitat? Your students will do just that by creating a rock creature, explaining how it will survive in its habitat, and finding the perfect habitat for it.