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School Programs Detailed
We offer a wide range of nature field trips for various grade levels. Some, but not all programs can be adjusted to accommodate different age groups, length of time, locations, and multiple classrooms. We can even do some programs in the winter.
Unable to visit one of our locations? Ask us about possibly bringing a nature lesson to the classroom.
Don't see a program that fits your needs? Let us know, and we can create a program just for your class!
Programs We Offer
Click program tab to view description.
- Animal Life Cycles
- The World of Insects
- Geology Rocks!
- Glacial Geology
- Michigan Mammals
- Nature & Earth Science
Animal Life Cycles – Frogs and Pond Life
Age: K – 2nd grade
Season: Spring
Length: 1 – 1.5 hours
Location: Independence Lake or Rolling Hills
Description: Spring has begun and the pond is exploding with life! Discover the amazing process of an amphibian’s life cycle, and learn about creatures that call the pond home by using nets to dip into the pond. All creatures will be released at end of program.
The World of Insects
Age: Any
Season: Fall
Length: 1 – 1.5 hours
Location: Rolling Hills, Independence Lake, or County Farm Park
Description: Go on a sweep netting adventure to discover grasshoppers, beetles, and more living in the tall grasses, and roll logs to find what other insects live on the forest floor! All creatures will be released at end of program.
Geology Rocks!
Age: 2nd – 5th grade
Season: Any
Length: 1.5 hours
Location: Fox Science
Description: We will visit a nature preserve, but an unusual one, because the preserve once was a gravel pit! We will talk about how the rocks, sand, and gravel got there and why/how humans came to use the gravel and sand. We’ll talk about the 3 main types of rocks (igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks), the rock cycle, and search for fossils! Please note that this location does not have restrooms.
Glacial Geology
Age: 4th, 5th, and Middle School
Season: Any
Length: 2. 5 hours
Location: Park Lyndon
Description: Woodlands, marshes, fens, swamps, and geologic landforms are used to explain how glacial events 10,000 years ago created one of the most unique preserves in the state. The terrain is very hilly, and the program length can be shorted if desired.
Michigan Mammals
Age: 3rd – 5th grades
Season: Any
Length: 1 – 1.5 hours
Location: Rolling Hills or Independence Lake
Description: Program includes information, discussion and hands-on sharing about various Michigan Mammals, using pelts, study skins, skulls, etc. Examples of program activity: students are shown a mouse, a vole and a shrew study skin and asked to observe/describe what things are different about these three small mammals and then group discusses natural history info about each. Skins and skulls that represent 20 different mammals will be shared. A hike will follow inside discussion to look for mammal signs, like homes, tracks, scat, etc.
Nature and Earth Science Exploration
Age: Preschool – 2nd grade
Season: Spring or Fall
Location: Independence Lake
Length: 1 hour
Description: Become a field scientist as we hike through the forest to study trees by their leaf shape, discover glacial rocks, sort through soil for small creatures, and observe the lake habitat.
- Pioneer Day
- Grist Mill & Log Cabin Tour
- Signs of Fall
- Signs of Spring
- Water in Our World
- Wilderness Survival
Pioneer Day
Age: K – 3rd grade
Season: May – October
Length: 3.5 hours (includes snack/lunch break)
Location: Parker Mill
Description: Learn about how the pioneers lived by touring an operational grist mill, doing chores in a one – room log cabin built by the Parker Family, and taking a nature hike to learn about the wild plants and animals that would have provided food and medicine for the Parker Family. Optional – learn to cook over an open campfire.
Pioneer Grist Mill and Log Cabin Tour
Age: K – 9th grade
Season: May – October
Length: 1.5 hours
Location: Parker Mill
Description: Learn about Washtenaw County history and 19th century milling during an indoor/outdoor tour of the County's only operational pioneer flour mill. Students will learn about early area history, operation of the mill machinery, and see the processing of corn into flour, meal, and cracked corn. Due to the small size of the mill buildings, groups are limited to 30 people per tour.
Programs include sharing about three generations of the Parker family living here in Washtenaw County, i.e. different types of houses they lived in, and how they earned a living. Tour of a pioneer grist mill is included, where children are shown how corn flour and wheat flour was made 100 years ago. Mill tour involves children shelling corn, throwing this corn into the hopper and then seeing the mill at work grinding their corn into flour. Simple model used to explain how water powered this mill. Tour includes visiting an authentic 1870’s log cabin where modern life and late 1800’s cabin life are compared.
Signs of Fall
Age: K – 1st grade
Season: Fall
Length: 1 hour
Location: Various
Description: Discover the wonder of fall by using your 5 senses to explore the changes made during this time of year.
Signs of Spring
Age: K – 1st grade
Season: Spring
Length: 1 hour
Location: Various
Description: Spring is here and Mother Nature is waking up from her winter snooze! Explore the forest floor for little creatures, discover new spring flowers, and observe other exciting spring events.
Water in Our World
Age: 2nd grade
Season: Spring
Length: 3 hours (includes snack/lunch break)
Location: Independence Lake
Description: This program will start indoors with a presentation on how water impacts our world, the different kinds of water in Michigan, and the plants and animals that live in those habitats. Following the presentation students will visit a vernal pond and use nets to search for creatures, and visit the lake to learn how water flows across our land.
Wilderness Survival
Age: 2nd – 5th grade
Season: Any
Length: 3 hours (includes snack/lunch break)
Location: Independence Lake or Rolling Hills
Description: Learn skills and what gear you need to survive outdoors. In addition, students will practice shelter building and fire making. Students with teacher/parent/chaperone assistance can cook on fire if desired.
Locations
Curious to know more about the locations we host some of our programs at? For a brief summary of our most popular parks and preserves, please visit our Field Trip Locations page to see what other amenities each location has to offer!
Request Form
If you would like to set up a nature program please fill out a Nature Program Request Form. One of our Naturalists will be in touch to finalize details.