Programs and environmental education assistance are available upon request for schools, youth groups, adults and other special interest groups.
Scroll down to see the environmental education programs available at this time. If you don't see a program on the topic you are looking for, just ask and we'll see what we can do. Call 563-547-3634 and ask for Angela.
Click on a program below for more information...
AMPHIBIANS (Grades K-3)
ANIMAL DEFENSE ADAPTATIONS (Grades 3-6)
AWESOME AUTUMN (Grades K-2)
BIRDS OF A FEATHER (Grades K-4)
GARBAGE, WHAT A WASTE! (Grades 4-6)
GOING, GOING, GONE! (Grades 4-8)
HANGING OUT WITH BATS! (Grades K-3)
INSECT INQUIRY (Grades 1-3)
LESSONS OF THE LORAX (Grades 3-4)
MIGRATION (Grades 5-8)
MONARCH MADNESS (Grades 1-6)
NATIVE AMERICANS (Grades 4-6)
PASS THE ENERGY, PLEASE (Grades 3-5)
PLANTS (Grades 1-7)
TERRIFIC TREES (Grades 1-6)
TRACKS (Grades 3-7)
VERTEBRATE ANIMAL GROUPS (Grades 2-4)
WHOO AM I? A CLOSER LOOK AT OWLS (Grades 1-6)
WILDFLOWER WALK (Grades 3-8)
AMPHIBIANS (Grades K-3)
A program on amphibian basics covering physical characteristics of amphibians and their lifecycle. I will touch briefly on different amphibians that call Iowa home. The program will wrap up with the book Salamander Room and a short discussion about the story to review what the students learned.
ANIMAL DEFENSE ADAPTATIONS (Grades 3-6)
A look at how animals protect themselves from enemies in the wild. My box turtle, Roxie, accompanies me to help reinforce the adaptations.
AWESOME AUTUMN (Grades K-2)
This program discusses the changes that trees go through in autumn. We will discuss the difference between conifer and deciduous trees, seeds of different trees, and the animals that are dependent on trees for food. We will read the book In a Nutshell by Joseph Anthony and then do a short art project.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER (Grades K-4)
Get to know the birds as we discuss what characteristics make a bird a bird, and learn about some of the different birds we can see here in Iowa. *OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: After a short indoor program we will head outdoors to view a variety of birds. This is a great program for a field trip out to the nature center where the children can experience both prairie and woodland habitats and the birds that reside there!
GARBAGE, WHAT A WASTE! (Grades 4-6)
Students will learn about how much waste we as Iowans and Americans produce. The students will get a chance to sort through "garbage" to see what can be recycled and learn what happens to the items that don't get recycled! This is a great program to help celebrate Earth Day!
GOING, GOING, GONE! (Grades 4-8)
A program on extinct and endangered species. Students will learn what has caused the demise of animals and what can be done to make sure we don't lose any more. We will focus primarily on animals that live or have lived in Iowa.
HANGING OUT WITH BATS! (Grades K-3)
Is a bat a bird? How long can a bat live? If they are nocturnal, how can they see at night? These are just some of the questions I will answer during the program as I help children (and adults!) understand why bats aren’t as scary as they think! We will end the program with the story Stellaluna by Janell Cannon.
INSECT INQUIRY (Grades 1-3)
Is it an insect or arachnid? This program will help the students understand the things that put invertebrates into the “insect” category. We will discuss the physical characteristics, lifecycle, and how insects protect themselves from potential predators.
LESSONS OF THE LORAX (Grades 3-4)
This program uses Dr. Suess’ book The Lorax to help the students better understand the idea of wise use of our natural resources. Throughout the story we will discuss the decisions that were made and what could have been done differently. Activities after the story can include a truffula tree craft or a picture frame.
MIGRATION (Grades 5-8)
We will discuss what migration is and why many animals embark on this incredible journey every year. The main focus of the program will be on bird migration. *OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Flute’s Journey is a book we will read to help us understand why this journey is getting harder for some animals like birds. After reading the book we will do an activity on changing the land to help students better understand habitat factors necessary for survival.
MONARCH MADNESS (Grades 1-6)
During this program students will learn the characteristics of insects and how butterflies protect themselves from enemies. Finally we will focus on the life cycle of the monarch in particular. This program goes great with hatching out monarchs in your classroom! If you wish to schedule a monarch tagging program this is best done by September 12 in order to tag the monarchs before they are finished migrating through. TAGS ARE NOT PROVIDED. You are responsible for purchasing the tags from www.monarchwatch.org.
NATIVE AMERICANS (Grades 4-6)
This program introduces the students to Native Americans that lived in the area now known as Iowa, how they lived, and the problems that arose between them and the Europeans. We will discuss the Native Americans spiritual connection with the Earth and respect of all it’s beings — a lesson that “white man” has yet to learn. We conclude the program by reading the book Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, an adaptation of the speech that Chief Seattle gave to the US government in the mid 1850’s. Time permitting there is an activity using Native American symbols.
PASS THE ENERGY, PLEASE (Grades 3-5)
A program to help explain the food chain. Children will learn the flow of energy from producers to primary and secondary consumers down to the decomposers. After reading the book Pass the Energy, Please! we will have a short discussion about how humans have changed the balance of nature and what can be done to protect the fragile balance.
PLANTS (Grades 1-7)
Young students will learn about plants and their importance in our lives as we read and discuss the book The Giving Tree. Older students will be introduced to plants through their uses, types and a brief discussion of photosynthesis; or through a discussion of whether plants are important in the lives of humans. Tutorial websites are available so students can learn more about plants while sharpening their computer skills!
TERRIFIC TREES (Grades 1-6)
Did you know that the forest has layers much like a house or apartment building? During this program we will learn the names of the different layers and which animals call them home. Younger students will be turned into trees, while older students will learn why trees are so important to humans! Obviously a program on trees is best done with outdoor time, but the program can also be adapted to an indoor program. Outdoor programs require more time.
TRACKS (Grades 3-7)
Have you ever seen an animal track in the mud or snow and wondered who made it? During this program we will discuss how a person can tell if an animal has been in the area, and which animal it was! We will read a short story and then take a look at some animal track flashcards. Animal pelts are used to help in the discussion. *OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: If you are interested in making plaster casts of animal tracks you will be responsible for providing the plaster of Paris, bucket, water and newspaper. This activity will require at least an hour session, the more time the better!
VERTEBRATE ANIMAL GROUPS (Grades 2-4)
Do you know what group of vertebrates has a special sense organ which allows them to feel the nearness of a predator or obstacle before it can be seen? Through a game of vertebrate trivia we will learn about the 5 different groups of animals classified as vertebrates and discover the answer to this question and many others.
WHOO AM I? A CLOSER LOOK AT OWLS (Grades 1-6)
We will take a closer look at one of the greatest winged hunters. While investigating an owl foot, skull, pellet, and a mounted owl we will learn why they are such efficient hunters. For the younger crowd we will conclude the program with an owl craft.
WILDFLOWER WALK (Grades 3-8)
Spring is a great time to get out and watch nature waking up after its long winter’s nap. The woodlands around the nature center produce a multitude of spring wildflowers. A hike to view these spring beauties will require at least one hour.
Any comments, questions or suggestions? Just email us at howardccb@yahoo.com THANKS!
The Howard County Conservation Board in the provisions of services and facilities to the public does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, national origin, age, or handicap. If anyone believes he or she has been subject to such discrimination, he or she may file a complaint alleging discrimination with either the Howard County Conservation Board or the Office of Equal Opportunity, US Dept. of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.