Classroom Visit programs are available December through March, during the school hours of 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please note that three weeks’ notice is required to process registration requests. All programs are an hour in length.
Winter 2023-2024 registration is now closed.
A Tree is Nice: PreK through First Grade
1 hour | 30 students maximum
Trees are important for both people and animals. Learn about the parts of a tree, the differences between deciduous and coniferous trees, and how to identify common leaves. Learn about how people and other animals use trees. Using a story, songs, and games, we’ll take a look at why trees are important to our natural world.
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Addresses the following Next Generation Science Standards:
- K-LS1-1: Survival
- 1-LS3-1: Young plants and parent plants
Illinois Early Learning & Development Standards:
- 2.A.ECa: Book sharing experiences (Language Arts)
- 2.B.ECa: Ask and answer questions about books read aloud (Language Arts)
- 7.A.ECa and 8.A.ECa: Order objects (Mathematics)
- 12A.ECa: Categorize living things
- 12.B.ECa: Needs of living things
- 12.F.ECa: Changes in weather and seasons
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$15 non-refundable registration fee
One program: $115
Two programs: $199
Three programs: $280
Four programs: $360
Five programs: $440
When it Starts to Snow: PreK through First Grade
1 hour | 30 students maximum
How do animals survive the long, snowy winter? Where do they go and what do they eat when it starts to snow? Discover answers to these questions by observing pelts, shells, and skulls in your classroom. Learn about animal adaptations and seasonal changes with a book, games, songs, and other fun activities.
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Addresses the following Next Generation Science Standards:
- K-ESS2-1: Weather conditions and patterns
- K-ESS3-1: Interdependence
- K-LS101: Survival
- 1-LS1-1: Survival
Illinois Early Learning & Development Standards:
- 10.A.ECb: Self and surroundings (Mathematics)
- 10.B.ECa: Analyze pictures and objects (Mathematics)
- 12.A.ECb: Awareness of self and environment (Science)
- 12.B.ECa: Needs of living things (Science)
- 12.F.ECa: Changes in weather (Science)
- 16.A.ECa: Recall immediate past (Social Studies)
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$15 non-refundable registration fee
One program: $115
Two programs: $199
Three programs: $280
Four programs: $360
Five programs: $440
Plant Investigations: Second through Third Grade
1 hour | 30 students maximum
Be amazed that something as small as a seed can grow into a great big plant. Explore the parts of plants, such as seeds, stems, roots, and leaves to understand how they grow. Use microscopes for a hands-on and up-close view of this green world.
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Addresses the following Next Generation Science Standards:
- 2-LS2-1: Plants need sunlight and water to grow
- 3-LS3-1: Young plants have similar traits of parents
- 3-LS3-2: Traits are influenced by environment
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$15 non-refundable registration fee
One program: $115
Two programs: $199
Three programs: $280
Four programs: $360
Five programs: $440
Habitat Happenings: Second through Third Grade
1 hour | 30 students maximum
Bring the woodlands, wetlands, and prairie into your classroom. Use microscopes to study the characteristics and adaptations of animals from these three ecosystems. Explore skulls, pelts, and animal mounts to learn about local herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. Please note: Program materials may vary based on availability.
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Addresses the following Next Generation Science Standards:
- 2-LS4-1: Plants and animals of different habitats
- 3-LS3-2: Traits are influenced by environment
- 3-LS4-3: Plants survive based on type of habitat
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$15 non-refundable registration fee
One program: $115
Two programs: $199
Three programs: $280
Four programs: $360
Five programs: $440
Hands-on Habitats: Fourth through Fifth Grade
1 hour | 30 students maximum
A habitat is a home for plants and animals. Find out what plants and animals make a home for themselves in Illinois’ woodlands, wetlands, and prairies. Learn about the adaptations that animals have developed to live in certain ecosystems. Explore skulls and pelts, and use microscopes to get a new view of our local herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. Please note: Program materials may vary based on availability.
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Addresses the following Next Generation Science Standards:
- 5-LS2-1: Energy transferred throughout a food web
- 4-LS1-1: Adaptations
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$15 non-refundable registration fee
One program: $115
Two programs: $199
Three programs: $280
Four programs: $360
Five programs: $440