Environmental Education Provider Information
Programs for Kindergarten-2nd, 3rd-5th, and 6th & Up included here were taught during the school year. They are organized by grade range and topic. While the programs and activities were developed for use with home school students and families, they can be used for any group.
The program development/marketing information is based on what we've learned by running these programs for the past 3 years. Each program includes topic references and background information useful for the program leader as well as parents of the students attending.
Environmental Education Provider Pages
Printed copies of our 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 Home School Curriculum are available. Please send $2.75/year for postage to:
Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Road SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403-7134.
Kindergarten - Second Grade: Discover Your Wild World
Honey Bees-What Makes a Bee?-Bee Jobs-Bee society-Bee products and how they are made.
Magnificent Mushrooms-What is a mushroom?-Fungus in our lives-Mushroom hike.
Unusual Animals-What is a rodent?-Woodchucks, chipmunks, moles, shrews, etc.
Animal Signs & Sounds-Tracks & scat-Homes & holes-Bird calls-Animal sounds.
Squirrels-What makes a squirrel-Habits and diet-Seasonal activities-Related rodents.
Winter Wonders-Ice cube science-Snowflakes-Snow as habitat and insulation.
Maple Syrup Time-Trees-Where it comes from-Forms & uses-How to get it.
Rocks-Types and formation-Fossils-Kinds in our area.
Water Birds-How are they different?-Waders, ducks, divers-Migration and life cycle-Signs hike.
Third - Fifth Grade: Explore Your Wild World
Insects-Characteristics and adaptations-Life cycles-Social insects-Pollination biology.
Seeds & Fruits-Adaptations and dispersal strategies-Seed bank-Food uses-Fruit hike.
Symbiosis-Types of relationships-Helping or hurting?-Root fungi, galls, lichens, cowbirds.
More Mammals-Hoofed mammals-Aquatic animals-Flying mammals-Life cycles.
Winter Woodlands-Evergreen adaptations-Conifer & twig identification-Plant dormancy-Tree hike.
Ravenous Rodents-Characteristics & adaptations-Teeth-Habitat & homes-Hike for signs.
Rocks & Fossils-Rock types and formation-Collecting and identifying-Sand casting.
Soil-It's Alive!-Soil types and formation-What's in it-Study invertebrates-Conservation-Hike.
Cultures of the Creek-Historic peoples-Shelter & habits-Food & middens-Signal trees.
Sixth Grade and Up: Understand Your Wild World
Insect Ecology-Characteristics-Life cycles and metamorphosis-Pollination biology-Insects in agriculture.
Plant Interactions-Plant diseases-Galls-Types & shapes-Fungal associations-Chemical deterrence.
Resource Management-Scope of field-Forestry, geology, biology,etc.-Careers in parks: rangers and naturalists.
Astronomy-Seasonal constellations-Telescopes-Sun viewing-History of navigation.
Restoration Ecology-Reintroduction of lost native species-Otters-Eagles-Turkeys-Osprey.
Maple Syruping-History-How & why-Products-How to run an operation.
Soil Conservation-Soil formation-Loss prevention-Construction, agriculture, business.
Population Ecology-Animal populations-Deer, birds, predator, human effects-Habitat-Management.
Invasive Aliens-Insects-Plants-Control methods.
Family Home School Programs
Our Iowa Prairies-Discover the rich pioneer history of our state's largest ecosystem. Learn about the plants and animals that survive best in the prairie. Take a prairie hike, play games, and find out how to establish and maintain a large or small prairie planting of your own. Try your hand at some prairie restoration techniques.
Enjoying Winter Birds-Discover what makes a bird a bird, and find out which species migrate and which stay here. Learn about the neotropical conncection and observe our winter birds. You will hike, play games, and learn how to create good bird habitat in your yard. We will also introduce you to Project FeederWatch, a research program you can continue at home. Then you will make a bird feeder.
Iowa Nesting Birds-Discover birding basics, and which native species are likely to nest in your area. Learn about neotropical migrants, and how to help desirable nesting birds. You will hike along one of our Bluebird trails, play games, and find out about Bluebird trail establishment and monitoring. We will introduce you to the Cornell Nest Box Survey program, which you can continue at home. Then you can help us get bird boxes ready, and build a Bluebird house.
Protecting Our Water-Discover our Iowa waterways and wetlands and learn their importance and function in our environment. You will hike to our wetland to observe its fauna. We will teach you how to do various water quality tests and introduce you to the Iowater and Adopt-A-Stream Programs. Learn how to protect our wetlands from erosion and other water quality threats. Then you can help us further restore our wetland. (Dress in older clothes/shoes.)
Woodland Wildlife-Explore the woods and learn about the animals living there. Interview a popular gobbler. Find out how woodland creatures' special features help them survive. Discover how trees help the environment. Use forestry tools that help us study trees, and play indoor and outside games.
Birds of Prey-Find out how raptors are special among birds. Discover the unique features that help them survive. Participate in activities to help you understand raptors. Learn which of these birds migrate and where. Play a raptor game. Hike to the river to try to spot our national bird.
Winter Fun-Discover how plants and animals survive cold weather. Do ice and snow experiments. Learn what tracks tell us and which creatures make trails this time of year. Play winter animal games. Walk through the woods and prairie to find signs of active animals and enjoy the season.
Spring Woodlands-Discover the features of flowers. Learn which plants are seen first every year and how the woods are different in the spring. Find our what animals are doing this time of year and who has babies. Explore the spring woodlands on a bird and flower walk.
Water Wildlife-Discover wetlands and learn about their importance. Find out what creatures, large and small, live in or near water. Hike to our wetland, collect aquatic creatures, and study how they are specially suited for their lives. Play games that illustrate life in a wetland. Find out what you can do to help protect our water wildlife.
What to Bring/How to Dress Students
WE WILL GO OUTSIDE every session! Please remember to bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and insect repellent in warm weather. Always bring a rain jacket or rain suit. A hat is also a good idea. Wear tennis shoes or hiking boots, NOT open-toed shoes or sandals. For cold weather wear warm layers of clothing and boots, and bring a warm hat and mittens.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For questions about these programs, call the Nature Center at 319-362-0664 or contact Home School Coordinator, Christine Kirpes at janature@aol.com
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