Amazing Animal Adaptations

As we prepare for the coming winter and the challenges snow, ice and cold bring us, the natural world is also getting ready!

In this interactive program, students will explore 3 different strategies wildlife use to survive winter’s hardships: hibernation, adaptation and migration.

Student teams rotate through the Animal Adaptation Mystery Stations, solving inquiry-based questions using magnifiers and their senses to examine materials such as feathers, furs, and food.

Mindfulness movement exercises between stations engage imagination, incorporating the unique characteristics of the animals we discuss.

K-3, Classroom

Autumn Discoveries!

With the crisper air and waning daylight, fall provides a beautiful time for nature to prepare for the colder months ahead.

In this program, students will discover amazing adaptations and strategies wildlife use to transition to winter.

We will explore seed dispersal, migration, hibernation and the incredible role leaves play in the ecosystem through hands-on, interactive activities.

Mindfulness exercises, using the senses and imagination, as well as yoga stretches and breathing techniques, such as “Acorn to Oak” and “Turkey Breath” teach students to embrace autumn’s rich bounty at a slower pace!

K-3, Classroom and outside components

Fascinating Feathered Friends (K-2)

What makes a bird a bird?!

Through fun and interactive activities students will explore the unique characteristics which make this group of animals so special.

Working in cooperative teams, students will apply the concepts of beak and feet adaptations to solve the mystery of what certain birds eat-and in what habitat they can be found.

Exploration of feathers using magnifiers hone their observation and focus skills, engage their sense of touch and sharpen their descriptive language art abilities.

Bird identification through fields marks and songs of common birds will be explored during whole class activities such as Fly to Your Flock and Bird Song Chorus.

Energizing yoga stretches, “Flying Cardinal” and “Seated Pigeon” and calming “Eagle Breath” bring bird-themed mindfulness to the group.

K-2, Classroom and outside components

Fascinating Feathered Friends (3-5)

Birds are visible every month of the year, day and night, making them an ideal group of animals to study!

Students will explore and examine the unique physical adaptations, such as beaks, feet and feathers, of several bird families.

Using inquiry-based group activities students will also investigate the various roles birds play in critical ecosystems. They will learn identification strategies of bird field marks and song, giving them tools to enjoy the birds found in school and home habitats, enhancing outside experiences.

Mindfulness exercises using energizing yoga stretches such as “Eagle Arms” and “Seated Pigeon”, as well as calming breathing techniques “Feather Breath” and “Flying Bird Breath” teach students skills to increase focus and destress-in the classroom and beyond!

Grades 3-5, Classroom and outside components

Forest Acrobats: Fascinating Gray Squirrels!

How do they balance high in the treetops? Where do they make their nests? Do they have a good sense of smell?

In this fun and interactive program, we will explore all aspects of our furred neighbors, the amazing gray squirrel! Learn about their intelligence, diet, nesting strategies, and clever winter food storage.

We will head outside, scouting your location for evidence of these limber mammals using your new squirrel smarts!

Habitat Happenings

How does wildlife utilize the critical habitat elements of food, water and shelter around your school?

In this interactive program, students will explore this question through a series of activities designed to investigate the unique habitat needs of a variety of animals.

Working in teams, using their communication skills and applying natural history information and concepts, students will understand the habitat value of their school grounds.

Using fun animal characteristics and their imagination, students will learn breathing techniques to calm and focus, as well as yoga stretching exercises to energize!

K-2, Classroom and outside components

Habitat Investigations

Have you ever wondered what types of wildlife live around your school? How do they survive?

In this program we will discover, through a Habitat Assessment Survey, where animals could find the essential elements of food, water and shelter.

Student teams will then analyze the results of the survey, using a critical thinking exercise to create habitat improvement plans for their school grounds, presenting a scaled drawing with written details to the class.

Grades 3-5, Classroom and outside components

Incredible Insects

They buzz, hop, crawl, and fly, performing many vital roles in every habitat! Our insect communities have many lessons to teach us.

Together we will explore the world of insects, from what makes an insect a unique group of animals, the ecological value they play, to the peculiar adaptations which enable them to survive.

Using sweep nets, collection jars and magnifiers, students will investigate the variety of these amazing creatures throughout surrounding habitats, recording the data in an Insect Survey Summary form.

They will also learn “Bee Breath” for calming and “Butterfly Wings”, an energizing yoga pose, perfect exercises to generalize to any situation!

K-3, Classroom and outside components

Lessons from Mother Nature

Turtles basking in the sun, stretching their necks. Squatting patiently on a floating lily pad, a frog focuses on flying food. The architect of this new habitat, an industrious beaver, glides by a perched great blue heron.

In this imagination-infused program, will we explore the diversity of wildlife and the lessons they offer us, using the richest of all habitats-a beaver pond.

Students will learn the fascinating natural history of this habitat’s animals through activities designed to engage their senses, using items such as beaver pelts, dragonfly exuvia and turtle shells in their investigations.

Nature-themed mindfulness exercises such as “Snake Breath”, “Turtle Necks” and “Dragonfly Wings” teach students fun techniques to calm, focus and energize, at school and in other areas of their lives!

K-5, Classroom activities are adapted to correspond to grade level

Migration Marvels

Seasonal movement of many animals requires tremendous energy and poses numerous risks. So why migrate?!

In this interactive program, students will uncover the reasons behind this survival strategy, the challenges these animals face along the way and how they prepare for this arduous journey- both to and from their wintering grounds.

A series of activities, games and mindfulness exercises, such as yoga stretches and breathing techniques, will get your students moving and thinking!

K-3, Classroom and outside components

Mindfulness with Mammals

How does a beaver create a new habitat? Does fox fur have the same texture as a squirrel’s pelt?

In this hands-on program, we will explore mindfulness concepts as we delve into the fascinating natural history of 7 of our common mammals, including adaptations, behaviors and their critical role in various ecosystems.

Students learn “Sniff Like a Fox” breathing technique to calm and focus, while we discuss that clever canine.

Using pelts and magnifiers, students will engage their senses and hone focusing skills, creating their own Mammal Discovery Guide as they rotate through various stations.

Mammal-themed seated yoga poses such as “Alert Deer” and “Curious Raccoon” teach energizing stretching, perfect for classroom movement!

K and up. Classroom activities are adapted to correspond to grade level

Ready, Set, Grow!

Plants provide energy for all life-including us! How does this incredible energy flow? What characteristics make trees and wildflowers unique?

Using fun and imaginative games, students will explore the various components of plants, how they grow, and their seasonal adaptations.

Through group activities we will also uncover the science behind energy flow through food chains and food webs, and amazing seed dispersal strategies.

Our “Acorn to Oak” yoga stretch demonstrates photosynthesis and tree growth, while teaching students a mindful way to energize!

K-3, Classroom and outside components

Spring Sampler

Frogs are singing, buds are bursting, insects buzzing, and birds are searching for places to build nests. Nature is letting us know spring is finally here!

In this program, students will discover the unique adaptations and strategies plants and animals use to get ready for a busy summer season.

A brief introductory lesson in the classroom is followed by outside discovery, using binoculars, magnifiers and our Spring Sampler Investigation Guide.

Mindfulness activities using the senses such as “360 Wheel”, “Owl Ears” and “Sniff Like a Fox” enhance the magic and discovery of this beautiful transition season!

K-5, Activities are adapted to grade level.

Web of Life

How does energy flow within various ecosystems? In this interactive, hands-on program, explore this question through a series of fun games and activities!

Using a wetland habitat as our focus, we will create a model, depicting the energy flow in a food web, imagining we are the various animals living in this essential habitat.

Investigation stations, featuring wetland amphibians and aquatic insects, provide curious minds an opportunity to use their magnifying glasses and observation sheets to discover the unique characteristics of these program animal guests!

Wildlife Tracking: Discover the Hidden Stories

Without seeing animals around us, how do we know they are there?

In this investigation-themed program, students will learn the essential skills to bea nature sleuth and read the context clues in the habitats around their school to discover the wildlife stories often hidden from view.

In the classroom, students will examine key animal tracking patterns, foraging and nesting behavior and natural history facts, using a variety of items to hone their detective skills.

Outside, Student Discovery Teams use our Investigation Organizer Tool to apply the concepts and techniques to uncover the stories wildlife are telling.

Each Student Discovery Team will prepare a brief summary to present their investigative findings to the class.

Mindfulness movement exercises will be used to help focus observations andquietly move about our study area.

K and up. Activities are adapted to correspond to grade level