CLASSES
Beginning Botany•Monarchs•Animal Families•Predator & Prey•Birds, Master Engineers•Animals of the Night•Backyard Habitats•The Nature Around Us•Changing Seasons•The World of Bats•Bio-Mimicry•To Stay or Go
Beginning Botany
This class uses activities to discover vascular, and non-vascular plants. Designed to fit in with current Common Core curriculum.
4-5th grade
Monarchs
The plight of the Monarch butterfly makes news headlines every Summer. What is happening to this beloved icon of summer? What can we do to help it?
This talk can be tailored to fit any age group.
Animal Families
What makes a mammal a mammal, or a bird a bird? What can we learn just by looking at how an animal is "clothed". An introduction to animal classification.
Pre-K to 2nd grade.
Predator & Prey
Predators are not necessarily the "bad guys" in the animal kingdom. Matter of fact, it's not that easy to be a predator. For every feature that a predator has to make it a good hunter, the prey has a counter feature that helps it to avoid attack. We will learn about some of these features, and have an opportunity to study skull specimens of animals that are common to the Chicagoland area.
4-5th grade.
Birds, Master Engineers
How does studying nature fit into S.T.E.M.? Engineering! From the tiny nest of a hummingbird, to the massive apartment complexes of Weavers, to the Bald Eagle nest that can weigh well over a ton, birds are masters of engineering.
2nd-5th grade.
Animals of the Night
What goes bump in the night, isn't scary, but fascinating. Learn about some of the animals that start to roam after you are tucked in bed.
Pre-K-3rd.
Backyard Habitats
There is a growing movement to change our pristine suburban lawns back into thriving habitats for wildlife. What are some of the things we need to consider to be able to attract, and keep our wild, and non-wild neighbors happy?
Available for schools, clubs, libraries, etc.
The Nature Around Us
The Chicagoland area is home to some amazing, unique habitats.
Churchill Woods (in between Lombard and Glen Ellyn) is a good example of these. From oak savannas to wetlands to prairies. I can meet with your school group to give you a tour of this treasure in your own backyard.
All ages.
Changing Seasons
Some animals migrate, some hibernate, and some just keep doing what they always do. Find out what your favorite animals do to survive throughout the year.
Pre-K to 2nd grade.
The World of Bats
Bats are not Blind! They are not dirty animals! They are not a rat with wings! This presentation will help you understand, appreciate...and, dare I say, make you fall in love, with this much maligned creature.
If you would like to have live bats at your program, there is an additional fee, and scheduling with my friends at "Incredible Bats"
2nd-5th grade.
Incredible Bats has programs for all ages.
http://www.incrediblebats.com/
Biomimicry
Have you ever had velcro shoes? Thank biomimicry! Biomimicry observes nature to see how it has solved problems, and then copies the techniques and applies them to new innovations. Learn how other animals, and plants are being studied to solve today's problems.
Fits in with Science and Engineering curriculum.
5th-7th grade.
To Stay or Go...
To stay or go, that is the question.
Winter brings many challenges and perils for animals and insects. Will they migrate, hibernate or be able to keep active and find food. Discover how nature around us adapts to our weather.