School Programs in the Classroom
One of our highly educated, professional program leaders will deliver an 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.
All Grades
Forest Preserve District experts will meet your students in-person for a career outreach event. Students can ask questions and learn about the different career opportunities at the Forest Preserve District. Experts may bring along real equipment from their career field.
Careers
Ecologist
Farming
Forest Preserve Ranger
History and Museum
Naturalist
Natural Resources Management
Outdoors STEM Careers
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Native freshwater mussels are important natural purifiers of water and serve as indicator species about the health of an aquatic ecosystem. The Forest Preserve District propagates native freshwater mussels at its Urban Stream Research Center at Blackwell Forest Preserve.
This exhibit highlights the science behind our propagation efforts, featuring the biology and life-cycle of mussels, the technology used to count and track lab-raised individuals, and the engineering processes of various aquatic-housing systems. Hands-on activities include:
- Examination of mussel specimens
- Use of a microscope to count baby mussels
- Exploration of mussel larvae to host fish
Standards Explored
NGSS
- K-ESS3-1 Earth and Human Activity
- K-ESS3-3 Earth and Human Activity
- 1-LS3-1 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
- 2-LS4-1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 3-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- 3-LS3-2 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
- 3-LS4-4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 4-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- 5-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- 5-ESS3-1 Earth and Human Activity
- MS-LS2-4 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- MS-ESS3-3 Earth and Human Activity
- HS-LS4-5 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
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 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 are introduced to the differences between groups of animals and spend time focusing on one of the following: mammals, birds, or reptiles and amphibians. Students explore what makes each group unique through discussion of local species' lifestyles and looking at nature artifacts. This one-hour assembly program for 50 - 120 students. $1 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
Amphibians and Reptiles
Feathers
Illinois Birds
Illinois Wild Mammals
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 explore what makes a good habitat while investigating different local habitats and the types of wildlife that make those habitats their home. Students will also discuss how humans share habitats with wildlife and they how to protect these wild neighbors. This one-hour assembly program is for 50 - 120 students. $1 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 Prairies
Prairie Plants
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. $1 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 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)
Students explore how Illinois wildlife are built to survive some of the harshest winter extremes while investigating different strategies that wildlife employ to deal with winter weather. Students may take inspiration from nature's solutions to better cope through winter. 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
Loan Box Links
Feathers
IL Wild Mammals
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