School Programs
Indian Creek Nature Center offers a variety of programs for students of all ages. Our naturalists will facilitate hands-on activities with students as they explore the trails and habitats of the Nature Center.
Elementary School Programs Brochure
"Wild In The Classroom" Brochure
Programs for All Grades--Kindergarten through 6th Grade
Honeybees:
Season-Fall, Winter, Spring.
Concepts: Life cycles, pollution, adaptations, beekeeping, products.
Program Length: 1 hour. Cost: $2.50/student.
Maple Syruping:
Season-February 28-March 24.
Concepts: Tree anatomy and physiology, seasonal changes, Native American culture.
Program Length: 1 hour. Cost: $3.00/person.
Note: Students and chaperones are all charged for this program. Everyone is served maple syrup on ice cream. Please let us know if you have anyone with food allergies or special needs.
Interpretive Trail Hike:
Season-Fall, Winter, Spring.
Concepts: Visit creek, floodplain, prairie & woodland habitats with naturalist.
Program Length: 1 1/2 hours. Cost: $2.50/student.
Monarch Tagging:
Season-Fall.
Concepts: Life cycle, metamorphosis, migration, adaptations.
Program Length: 1 1/2 hours. Cost: $2.50/student.
Kindergarten, First, Second and Third Grades
Insects:
Season-Fall, Spring.
Concepts: Life cycles, metamorphosis, adaptations, collection.
Program Length: 1 1/4 hours. Cost: $2.50/student.
Reptiles & Amphibians:
Season-Fall, Spring.
Concepts: Animal classification, metamorphosis, adaptations, life cycles.
Program Length: 1 1/4 hours. Cost: $2.50/student.
Mammals:
Season-Fall, Winter, Spring.
Concepts: Classification, adaptations, skulls, tracks, predator/prey, food chains.
Program Length: 1 1/2 hours. Cost: $2.50/student.
Plants & Seeds:
Season-Fall.
Concepts: Anatomy, plant communities, seed disperal, how animals use seeds.
Program Length: 1 1/2 hours. Cost: $2.50/student.
Birds:
Season-Fall, Winter, Spring.
Concepts: Characteristics, adaptations, migration, identification, bird watching.
Program Length: 1 1/2 hours. Cost: $2.50/student.
First, Second and Third Grades
Habitat Exploration:
Season-Fall, Spring.
Concepts: Creek, floodplain, prairie & woodland habitats, communities, adaptation, food chains.
Program Length: 1 1/2 hours. Cost: $3.00/student.
Ponds & Wetlands:
Season-Fall, Spring.
Concepts: Habitat, adaptations, dip netting, classification, life cycles.
Program Length: 1 1/2 hours. Cost: $3.00/student.
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grades
Outdoor Skills:
Season-Fall, Winter, Spring.
Concepts: Knots, fire building, knife safety, shelters, compass, maps, hiking safety.
Program Length: TBA. Cost: TBA.
Prairie Field Study:
Season-Fall, Spring.
Concepts: History, plant and animal communities, adaptations, food chains, data collection.
Program Length: 2 hours. Cost: $3.00/student.
Woodland Field Study:
Season-Fall, Spring.
Concepts: Communities, layers of the forest, food chains, identification key, adaptations.
Program Length: 2 hours. Cost: $3.00/student.
Pond & Wetland Field Study:
Season-Fall, Spring.
Concepts: Communities, food chains, adaptation, dip netting, water quality.
Program Length: 2 hours. Cost: $3.00/student.
Water Quality:
Season-Fall, Spring.
Concepts: Water quality monitoring (pH, O, N, P) indicator species, biodiversity.
Program Length: 2 hours. Cost: $3.00/student.
Map & Compass:
Season-Fall, Spring.
Concepts: Map reading, compass skills, orienteering, teamwork.
Program Length: 2 hours. Cost: $3.00/student.
Snowshoeing:
Season-Winter.
Concepts: History, winter ecology, seasonal change, recreation.
Program Length: 2 hours. Cost: $3.00/student.
Geology:
Season-Fall, Winter, Spring.
Concepts: Rock types, layers of the earth, ecological forces, Iowa's geologic products.
Program Length: 2 hours. Cost: $3.00/student.
Fossils:
Season-Fall, Winter, Spring.
Concepts: Fossil formation, Iowa's fossil history, simulated fossil dig.
Program Length: 2 hours. Cost: $3.00/student.
Hands-on Conservation Experience:
Season-Fall, Winter, Spring.
Concepts: Service learning projects are available. Arrangements made with ICNC's land steward.
Program Length: TBA. Cost: TBA.
All programs have a minimum $40/hour fee.
Programs on other specific topics can be arranged. Please call 319-362-0664 for details and scheduling.
Please inform us of any special needs your students may have. Most areas are wheelchair accessible.
Your program fee includes free admission to all exhibits and use of picnic facilities. Please call early to reserve your program date. Our calendars fill quickly!
Visiting the Nature Center
Dress for the season. Wear old clothes that can get dirty, sturdy shoes and long pants. Warm clothes, jackets and boots in the winter and rain gear for wet days are a must.
Lunch/snacks should be eaten outside at picnic tables, on the lawn or on the deck. Please bring a trash bag and remove all your trash. Encourage group members to plan and bring a "no waste" lunch/snack. Please inform the Nature Center in advance if you plan to eat on the grounds.
Please help preserve the habitats by not picking plants or littering!
Cancellation Policy
Please give the Nature Center at least 24 hours advance notice if you need to cancel. You will be billed for the minimum program fee if you have not cancelled or do not show up for the program. Only in cases of extreme weather will ICNC cancel a scheduled program.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Jan Aiels at jaiels@indiancreeknaturecenter.org or Margaret Wolter at mwolter@indiancreeknaturecenter.org for information.
Call (319)362-0664 to arrange a program.
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