Virtual Classroom Programs

Virtual Classroom Programs

One of our highly educated, professional program leaders will deliver a virtual classroom program 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. 

Program reservations for the 2021 – 2022 academic year are now open. We offer programs throughout the academic year (Sept. 1 through June 1), and most are available Monday through Friday. 

View the available virtual school programs and descriptions below. Then, click the green button to complete and submit a form to request a virtual school program.

Request a Virtual Program

Preschool, Kindergarten & Grade 1 

Wildlife and You

Wildlife and You

This program increases students’ interest and awareness in the natural world. The importance of respecting wildlife and the proper ways to interact with and observe native wildlife are reinforced. Thirty-minute virtual program for 10 – 30 students. $1 per student.

Academic year
Monday – Friday

Standards Explored
Common Core:

ELA/Literacy

  • SL.K.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
  • SL1.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
  • SL1.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
  • SL1.4 Speaking and Listening: Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

NGSS:

  • K-ESS2-2 Earth’s Systems
  • K-ESS3-1 Earth and Human Activity
  • K-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
  • 1-LS3-1 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

Loan Box Links:

Illinois' Wild Mammals

Pre-Activity Sheets:

Coloring Page (PDF)
Vocabulary List (PDF)

Grades 2 & 3

Farm Food Chain

Farm Food Chain

Students explore the role of water and what plants need to grow; learn what lambs need to grow and develop; learn how honeybees help pollinate our crops; investigate how food is produced and how transportation changed how people are supplied with food; and learn how farmers changed the land to grow food more efficiently. Forty-five minute virtual program for 10 – 30 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

    Social Studies

  • SS.H.1.2 History: Change, Continuity, and Context
  • SS.EC.1.3 Economics and Financial Literacy: Economic Decision Making
  • SS.G.2.3 Geography: Human-Environment Interaction: Place, Regions, and Culture
  • SS.EC.3.2 Economics and Financial Literacy: Exchange and Markets
  • SS.G.3.2 Geography: Human Population
  • SS.G.3.3 Geography: Global Interconnections 

NGSS:

  • 2-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
  • 3-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
  • 3-LS3-1 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits 

Pre-Activity Sheets:

Suggested Reading List (PDF)
Baby Farm Animals (PDF)
Vocabulary List (PDF)

Meet the Reptiles

Meet the Reptiles

Students are introduced to the scientific concept that animals are grouped by shared characteristics. This program focuses on reptiles and how they differ from other terrestrial vertebrates through activities, discussions, and presentation of live reptiles. Forty-five minute virtual program for 10 – 30 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' Amphibians & Reptiles

Pre-Activity Sheets:

Reptile Groups (PDF)
Vocabulary List (PDF)
Suggested Reading List (PDF)

Wildlife and You

Wildlife and You

This program increases students’ interest and awareness in the natural world. The traits and diversity of local wildlife will be investigated. Forty-five minute virtual program for 10 – 30 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
  • S.L3.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
  • SL.3.3 Speaking and Listening: Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

NGSS:

  • 2-LS4.1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
  • 3-LS3-2 Herdity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
  • 3-LS4-2 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
  • 3-LS4-3 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

Loan Box Links:

Feathers

Illinois' Wild Mammals

Grades 4 & 5

Raptor Adaptations

Raptor Adaptations

Students explore the characteristics that make a raptor different from other birds and identify the different groups of raptors. While examining real biofacts such as skulls, wings and feet, students learn about the adaptations these birds have to help them in their role in the food chain. One-hour virtual program for 10 – 30 students. $1 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

Loan Box Links:

Feathers

Owls

Pre-Activity Sheets:

Crossword (PDF)
Vocabulary List (PDF)
Suggested Reading List (PDF)

Wildlife and You

Wildlife and You

This program increases students’ interest and awareness in the natural world. The traits and relationships between local wildlife will be investigated, as well as how the Forest Preserve helps wildlife in DuPage County. Forty-five minute virtual program for 10 – 30 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
  • S.L5.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
  • SL.5.3 Speaking and Listening: Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

NGSS:

  • 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

Loan Box Links:

Feathers

Illinois' Wild Mammals

Grades 6 - 8

Behind the Scenes of a Wildlife Hospital

Behinds the Scenes of a Wildlife Hospital
Students take a virtual tour behind the scenes of Willowbrook Wildlife Center, a native wildlife rehabilitation center, and explore the process of caring for an animal from admission to the final goal - release back into the wild. One-hour virtual program for 10 – 30 students. $1 per student.

Academic year
Monday – Friday

Standards Explored:

Common Core:

  • 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-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Wildlife and You

Wildlife and You

This program increases students’ interest and awareness in the natural world. The behaviors and patterns of interactions of local wildlife across multiple ecosystems will be investigated. One-hour virtual program for 10 – 30 students. $1 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
  • S.L.8.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration

NGSS:

  • MS-LS1-4 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
  • MS-LS2-2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
  • MS-LS2-4 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
  •  

Loan Box Links:

Feathers

Illinois' Wild Mammals

Grades 9 - 12

Blanding's Turtle Recovery

Blanding's Turtle Recovery

Students discover what factors have led to the decline in Blanding's turtle populations, then explore the different management techniques that have gone into the recovery effort of this endangered species. One-hour virtual program for 10 – 30 students. $1 per student.

Academic year
Monday - Friday

Standards met:

Common Core:
  • SL.9-10.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
  • SL.11-12.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
NGSS:
  • HS LS 2-2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
  • HS-LS2-7 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
  • HS-LS2-8 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
  • HS-LS4-5 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

    Loan Box Links:

Illinois' Amphibians and Reptiles

The Evolution of Agriculture

The Evolution of Agriculture

Students investigate and discuss crucial changes in farming technology over the past 125 years including transportation, expanding markets, the development of agri-business, and modern issues such as genetic engineering, feed additives, consumer safety, and environmental effects. One-hour virtual program for 10 – 30 students. $1 per student.

Academic year
Monday - Friday

Standards Explored
Common Core:

Social Studies Standards

  • SS.G.3.9-12 Geography: Human Population
  • SS.G.6.9-12 Geography: Geographic Representations, Human-Environment Interaction, Population
  • SS.G.8.9-12 Geography: Geographic Representations, Human-Environment Interaction, Population
  • SS.EC.8.9-12 Economics and Financial Literacy: National and Global Economy
  • SS.H.4.9-12 History: Perspectives

NGSS:

  • HS-LS2-7 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Pre-Activity Sheets:

Vocabulary List (PDF)

Wildlife and You

Wildlife and You

This program increases students’ interest and awareness in the natural world. Emphasis will be placed on how humans both positively and negatively impact local ecosystems and wildlife. One-hour virtual program for 10 – 30 students. $1 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-LS2-7 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
  • HS-LS4-5 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

Loan Box Links:

Feathers

Illinois' Wild Mammals

College

Comparative Vertebrate Biology

Comparative Vertebrate Biology

Students compare the anatomy and lifestyles of the four main groups of terrestrial vertebrates, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. One-hour virtual program for 10 – 30 students. $1 per student.

Academic year
Monday – Friday

Loan Box Links:

Illinois' Amphibians and Reptiles
Illinois' Birds
Illinois' Wild Mammals
Owls

Conservation Biology: Blanding's Turtle Recovery

Conservation Biology: Blanding's Turtle Recovery

Students discover what factors have led to the decline in Blanding's turtle populations, then explore the different management techniques that have gone into the recovery effort of this endangered species. Ninety-minute virtual program for 10 – 30 students. $1 per student.

Academic year
Monday - Friday

Loan Box Links:

Illinois' Amphibians and Reptiles

The Evolution of Agriculture

The Evolution of Agriculture

Students investigate and discuss crucial changes in farming technology over the past 125 years including transportation, expanding markets, the development of agri-business, and modern issues such as genetic engineering, feed additives, consumer safety, and environmental effects. One-hour virtual program for 10 – 30 students. $1 per student.

Academic year
Monday - Friday

Wildlife and You

Wildlife and You

This program increases students’ interest and awareness in the natural world. A wide range of wildlife-related topics can be covered based on the class needs. One-hour virtual program for 10 – 30 students. $1 per student.

Academic year
Monday – Friday


Ask a Forest Preserve Expert

Do you have a topic that requires expert advice but don't see it here? A Forest Preserve District expert will meet virtually with your students to explore your questions. For examples of the types of questions we can answer, please visit our Inquiry and PBL page.

On This Page

Preschool
Kindergarten & Grade 1
Grades 2 & 3
Grades 4 & 5
Grades 6 - 8
Grades 9 - 12
College
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