School Programs in the Classroom
One of our highly educated, professional program leaders will deliver in-person programs about natural sciences and DuPage County's cultural history. Programs are designed to meet national learning standards, including Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards.
Assembly-style programs are for groups with a minimum of 50 students from three or more classrooms and are available as long as there's a large enough space to accommodate all students and presenters.
Preschool
Students explore local wildlife species, where they live, why they live there, and how they survive, grow, and meet their needs through interpreter guidance and the use of biofacts, animal photos, physical movement, and discussion. Students also learn ways to respectfully interact with and observe native wildlife in their own communities. This one-hour interactive program is for 10 – 30 students. $10 per student.
Academic Year
Monday – Friday
Loan Box Links
Owls
Illinois Wild Mammals
Pre-Activity Sheets
Coloring Page (PDF)
Vocabulary List (PDF)
Suggested Reading List (PDF)
Kindergarten – Grade 1
Students investigate nature artifacts to explore the unique adaptations of three different groups of vertebrates – birds, mammals, and reptiles – and how these animals are taxonomically different from one another. This one-hour interactive program is for 10 – 30 students. $10 per student.
Academic Year
Monday - Friday
Standards Explored
Common Core
ELA/Literacy
- SL.K.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.K.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.1.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.1.2 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.1.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
NGSS
- K-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- 1-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- 1-LS3-1 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
Loan Box Links
Feathers
Illinois Birds
Illinois Wild Mammals
Students explore local wildlife species — where they live, why they live there, and how they survive, grow, and meet their needs through interpreter guidance and the use of biofacts, animal photos, physical movement, and discussion. Students also learn ways to respectfully interact with and observe native wildlife in their own communities. This one-hour interactive program is for 10 – 30 students. $10 per student.
Academic Year
Monday – Friday
Standards Explored
Common Core
ELA/Literacy
- SL.K.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
NGSS
- K-ESS2.E Biogeology
- K-ESS3.A Natural Resources
- K-ESS3.C Human Impacts on Earth Systems
- K-LS1.C Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organizations
- 1-LS1.A Structure and Function
- 1-LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms
- 1-LS1.D Information Processing
- 1-LS3.A Inheritance of Traits
- 1.LS3.B Variation of Traits
Loan Box Links
Owls
Illinois Wild Mammals
Pre-Activity Sheets
Coloring Page (PDF)
Vocabulary List (PDF)
Grades 2 – 3
Students investigate a variety of nature artifacts to discover how owls' adaptations and specialized lifestyles make them unique among raptors. They'll then dissect an owl pellet in the classroom. This one-hour interactive program is for 10 – 30 students. $10 per student.
Academic Year
Monday – Friday
Standards Explored
Common Core
ELA/Literacy
- SL.2.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.2.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.3.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.3.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
NGSS
- 2-LS4-1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 3-LS3-2 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
- 3-LS4-2 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 3-LS4-3 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
Students explore different survival strategies of local wildlife and investigate how predator-prey relationships affect wild communities and influence animal behavior. Students will also discuss the effects humans have on local wildlife. This one hour assembly program is for 50 - 120 students. $5 per student.
Academic Year
Monday – Friday
Standards Explored
Common Core
ELA/Literacy
- SL.2.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.2.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.3.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.3.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
NGSS
- 2-LS4-1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 3-LS3-2 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
- 3-LS4-2 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 3-LS4-3 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
Loan Box Links
Illinois Wild Mammals
Owls
Grades 4 – 5
Students explore native tree identification and trees’ relationships with wildlife and humans. Break out groups will examine tree samples and biofacts for self-discovery and inquiry. This one-hour interactive program is for 10 – 30 students. $10 per student.
Academic Year
Monday – Friday
Standards Explored
- SL.K.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
NGSS
- K-ESS2.E Biogeology
- K-ESS3.A Natural Resources
- K-ESS3.C Human Impacts on Earth Systems
- K-LS1.C Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organizations
- 1-LS1.A Structure and Function
- 1-LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms
- 1-LS1.D Information Processing
- 1-LS3.A Inheritance of Traits
- 1.LS3.B Variation of Traits
Loan Box Links
Trees
Students explore how life in nature is all about the balance between who is eating who and learn about food chains and webs. The roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers is defined with real-life local examples. Students will also discuss how the foods humans eat connect to nature and where these foods fit in a food chain. This one-hour assembly program is for 50 — 120 students. $1 per student.
Academic Year
Monday – Friday
Standards Explored
Common Core
ELA/Literacy
- SL.4.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.4.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.4.6 Language: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
- SL.5.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.5.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
NGSS
- 4-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- 5-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- 5-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and Dynamics
- 5-PS3-1 Energy in Chemical Processes and Everyday Life
Students discover how to identify wild mammals that live in DuPage County by studying skulls and bones, learning basic natural history, and using techniques that unravel wildlife mysteries. This one-hour interactive program is for 10 – 30 students. $10 per student.
Academic Year
Monday – Friday
Standards Explored
Common Core
ELA/Literacy
- RI.4.1 Reading Standards For Informational Text: Key Ideas and Details
- RI.4.2 Reading Standards For Informational Text: Key Ideas and Details
- SL.4.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.4.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- L.4.6 Language: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
- RI.5.1 Reading Standards For Informational Text: Key Ideas and Details
- RI.5.2 Reading Standards For Informational Text: Key Ideas and Details
- SL.5.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.5.2 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.5.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
NGSS
- 4-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- 4-LS1-2 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
Loan Box Links
Illinois Wild Mammals
Skulls
Tracking
Pre-Activity Sheets
Crossword (PDF)
Vocabulary List (PDF)
Suggested Reading List (PDF)
Grades 6 – 8
By taking a closer look at examples of locally endangered wildlife students will examine what causes a species to become threatened or endangered and what the next steps are toward protection. Students will tackle how humans affect endangered wildlife's survival and will develop a plan that could help a local species. This one-hour interactive program is for 10 - 30 students. $10 per student.
Academic Year
Monday – Friday
Standards Explored
Common Core
ELA/Literacy
- SL.6.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.7.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.8.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
NGSS
- MS-LS2.A Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
- MS-LS2.C Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning and Resilience
- MS-LS4.D Biodiversity and Humans
- MS-ESS3.C Human Impacts on Earth Systems
- MT-ETS1.B Developing Possible Solutions
Students explore the world of local wildlife and the anatomical differences between vertebrate groups. They'll get an up-close look at different nature artifacts to help them identify the diverse adaptations and survival strategies that contribute to animals' success. This one-hour interactive program is for 10 — 30 students. $10 per student.
Academic Year
Monday – Friday
Standards Explored
Common Core
ELA/Literacy
- SL.6.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.7.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.8.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
NGSS
- MS-LS1.A Structure and Function
- MS-LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms
- MS-LS2.A Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
- MS-LS2.B Cycle of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems
- MS-LS2.C Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience
- MS-LS4.D Biodiversity and Humans
Grades 9 – 12
Students explore the world of local wildlife and the anatomical differences between vertebrate groups. Students get an up-close look at different nature artifacts to help them identify the diverse adaptations and survival strategies that contribute to animals' success. This one-hour interactive program is for 10 – 30 students. $10 per student.
Academic Year
Monday – Friday
Standards Explored
Common Core
ELA/Literacy
- SL.9-10.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.11-12.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
NGSS
- HS-LS1.A Structure and Function
- HS-LS1-B Growth and Development of Organisms
- HS-LS2.A Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
- HS-LS2.B Cycle of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems
- HS-LS2-6 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- HS-LS2-7 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- HS-LS2-8 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- HS-LS4.D Biodiversity and Humans
Students are introduced to the Illinois state-endangered Blanding's turtle, the challenges the species faces, and how humans affect its survival. Students discover human's capacity to do good as they learn about the species recovery efforts that the Forest Preserve District is taking. This one-hour program is for 10 – 30 students. $5 per student.
Academic Year
Monday – Friday
Standards Explored
Common Core
ELA/Literacy
- SL.9-10.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
- SL.11-12.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
NGSS
- HS-LS2.A Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
- HS-LS2-7 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- HS-LS2-8 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- HS-LS4.D Biodiversity and Humans
Program Extensions
Blanding's Turtle Recovery PBL
Adopt a Blanding's Turtle