Tami Kruer, our Education Coordinator, offers assistance and educational resources to schools and community groups, and provides leadership in the District’s conservation education/information program. Below is a list of school programs Tami offers and the age group they pertain to. Please contact Tami at the District office, to schedule a program or for further information on our educational services.
(812) 256-2330, ext. 3462
E-mail: tami.kruer@in.nacdnet.net
Clark County SWCD Educational Programs
| Animals Along the Trail with Lewis and Clark (Gr. 3-8) Special program on the animals discovered by Lewis and Clark during their expedition into the unexplored lands of the American west. Animal Homes and Habitats (Pre-K to 4) Each day we can discover animal homes and habitats right in our own backyard. Students will learn how to be good observers of nature and why we shouldn’t disturb what we find. Several examples of animal homes will be shared with the group. Butterflies and Moths (Pre-K to 8) Butterflies and moths are beautiful insects. Students will be exposed to the concept of metamorphosis while discussing these incredible creatures. Ants All Around (Pre-K to 5) The ants go marching one by one to get out of the rain for a good reason! Students will learn the reason as well as other amazing antidotes about ants. Go Batty! (Pre-K to 8) Bats are often misunderstood mammals thought to spread rabies, attack humans and animals and get tangled in your hair. Students will identify some of the myths surrounding bats and learn the facts about these interesting and intriguing creatures. For The Birds (Pre-K to 8) Birds are some of the most beautiful creatures around. Birds hatch from eggs and have feathers. Some birds migrate. Other birds stay in Indiana during the cold winter months and may need help finding food and shelter. Students will learn what to do to attract birds to their backyard and tips for bird-watching and bird-feeding. Animals Along the Trail with Lewis and Clark (Gr. 3-8) Special program on the animals discovered by Lewis and Clark during their expedition into the unexplored lands of the American west. Animal Homes and Habitats (Pre-K to 4) Each day we can discover animal homes and habitats right in our own backyard. Students will learn how to be good observers of nature and why we shouldn’t disturb what we find. Several examples of animal homes will be shared with the group. Butterflies and Moths (Pre-K to 8) Butterflies and moths are beautiful insects. Students will be exposed to the concept of metamorphosis while discussing these incredible creatures. Ants All Around (Pre-K to 5) The ants go marching one by one to get out of the rain for a good reason! Students will learn the reason as well as other amazing antidotes about ants. Go Batty! (Pre-K to 8) Bats are often misunderstood mammals thought to spread rabies, attack humans and animals and get tangled in your hair. Students will identify some of the myths surrounding bats and learn the facts about these interesting and intriguing creatures. For The Birds (Pre-K to 8) Birds are some of the most beautiful creatures around. Birds hatch from eggs and have feathers. Some birds migrate. Other birds stay in Indiana during the cold winter months and may need help finding food and shelter. Students will learn what to do to attract birds to their backyard and tips for bird-watching and bird-feeding. Early Hoosiers and Nature (Gr. 3-8) Early Hoosiers relied on natural resources for their survival. They used things found in nature for food, clothing, medicine and building supplies. Learn how important natural resources were to the people of Early Indiana and why they are still important today. EggCeptional Animals (Pre-K to 3) Birds hatch from eggs; but they’re not the only ones. Students will identify other animals that hatch from eggs, learn why only bird egg shells are hard, and discover that eggs come in all shapes and sizes. Endangered Species (Gr. 3-6) What factors can cause a species to be placed on the endangered list? How many endangered animal species are there in Indiana? Through a hands-on activity students will learn the answers to these questions and that animals must depend on humans to make good decisions. Something’s Fishy (Gr. 2-8) What makes a fish a fish? How do they eat and breathe underwater? How many kinds of fish are there? Is there an easy way to catch them? Students will learn fascinating fish facts that will help them answer those questions as well as have an opportunity to draw their favorite kind of fish. Frogs and Toads (Pre-K to 5) How do you tell a frog from a toad? Journey through the life cycle of a frog/toad and learn fantastic facts about these amphibians. All life stages will be discussed as well as how frogs/toads use their senses in some amazing ways. Incredible Insects (Pre-K to 8) Icky? Gross? Creepy? You bet! As well as neat, cool and quite incredible; even edible! Students will learn about the similarities among insects as well as some unique and unusual differences that make them so fun to watch and learn about. Ladybug, Ladybug (Pre-K to 3) Are all ladybugs ladies? Students will learn about the many types of lady bugs (ladybird beetles) and some of the legends surrounding them. They will learn to appreciate these beneficial insects. Awesome Owls (Pre-K to 8) Owls have fascinated man from time immemorial – to some cultures they are symbols of wisdom, while to others they are harbingers of doom. Students will learn how awesome these creatures really are. Radical Reptiles (K-8) Snakes, lizards, turtles & tortoises, alligators & crocodiles, and tuatara are all kinds of reptiles. Students will learn about these special animals and how human fear can affect an animal species. Discovering Rocks and Soil (Pre-K to 6) Soil is made from pieces of rock, broken down over time, mixed with nutrients, dead plants and animals. Some soil is very healthy and fertile; other soil is not. Students will learn how to look at soil a little differently and ways to prevent soil from being eroded by wind or water. Salamanders (Pre-K to 4) What is life as a salamander like? Students will discover facts about these unusual amphibians and be introduced to the story “The Salamander Room” by Anne Mazer. Seeds Get Around (Pre-K to 2) Seeds contain the beginnings of new plants and are eaten by people and animals. They also travel by wind, water and air. Students will focus on all the types of seeds that they eat or use each day. Simply Spiders (K-6) Spiders are not insects, they’re arachnids! There are more than 30,000 of these amazing creatures known to scientists. Students will learn how these creatures are beneficial to humans and why they do the things they do. Trees Are Terrific (Pre-K to 5) Oxygen, shade, and wood products are just some of the things we get from trees. Trees must have the proper conditions and management to stay healthy. Students will learn to appreciate the wonderful gift of trees and the consequences of taking them for granted. Water, Water Everywhere (K-4) Water is one of our most important natural resources. Students will learn about the water cycle and ways they can conserve water at school and at home. The Living Web (K-4) Using yarn and special natural resources name tags, students will learn how everything in nature is connected during this hands on activity. Wolf Wonders (Gr. 2-8) Wolves have fantastic senses of sight, smell and hearing. Students will listen to the sounds of wolves, learn interesting facts about these wonderful creatures, and find out why wolves are endangered in most states. Wonderful Worms (K-6) Earthworms are underground gardeners who keep our soil healthy and fertile. Learn how these wiggly, squiggly creatures can turn our garbage back into soil. Learning About Life Cycles (K-3) Only Rain Down the Drain! (2-6) |
Other educator resources:
Project Learning Tree
www.plt.org/
Project Wild
www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/7547.htm
includes Aquatic Wild, Growing Up Wild, Fly Wild
Project Wet
www.projectwet.org/
Go FishIN
www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/7545.htm
The SWCD’s Natural Resources Conservation Educational Facility is home to a 50 Trees of Indiana exhibit, a butterfly house, a square-foot garden, a bluebird trail, and native plant gardens.
This area is enjoyed by thousands during the annual 4-H fair, however, it is also available by request to groups for educational purposes. Please check with the SWCD office for more details.
