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The District is dedicated to providing high quality, interactive education programs that meet Indiana state science standards to Porter County schools, grades K-12.
Our programs cover the four Rs of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink, but also include a wide range of other topics including the roles that water, trees, individuals, and even worms play in keeping our planet healthy along with ways that everyone can make a difference. Our goals are to provide thought-provoking, interactive lessons that not only provide an opportunity for learning but prompt continued inquiry. Our programs encourage students to learn through exploration, logical thinking, and discovery and also incorporate a variety of learning styles. Program Cost: Free Program availability: Year-round (except Love Those “Ladybugs”) Min/Max. group size: 10/60 Location & length: Satellite – we come to you! 1-1.5 hrs. NOTE: Presentations are given to one class at a time. A designated room for the presenter cuts down on move time between classes. If an extra room is available for presentations, we’ll take it.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink!Age group: 2nd-3rd grades
Where Does It Go? Students learn the importance of waste reduction. Through a series of fun and interactive activities, kids begin to learn the basics of what can be recycled, and the importance in taking steps to first Rethink, by reducing and reusing our waste with simple steps one can practice on a daily basis.
Age group: 4th- 5th grades
The Four Rs Students go back in time to explore how Native Americans and pioneers practiced the 4 Rs and the ways we can we learn from them today. Students learn of the challenges that face us today and how some materials are easier to recycle than others. All this, while learning about the impact of waste in our landfills and on our environment.
Age group: 6th-9th grades
Lifecycles of Everyday Stuff Parallel to living things, material products also have a “birth, life, and death”— a life cycle. For a material product, these steps include design, raw materials, manufacturing and distributing, useful life, and disposal or reuse. Students explore this new tool of ‘Life cycle assessments’ – also called cradle-to-grave analysis to look at the environmental impact of the total life of a product.
Wonderful Worms Age group: All ages
Goal: To appreciate and learn about earthworms and their role on earth. Through the use of a vermicompost bin, students dig deep into the “root” of our food chain (soil) and meet the creatures responsible for making it. Indiana State Science Academic Standards Edible LandfillAge group: 2nd-12th grades
Goal: To learn about the challenging process of properly disposing of solid waste and discover ways to diminish the waste stream. Students see how the design of a landfill affects the environment by building a model of a landfill from edible items. Indiana State Science Academic Standards
Water WatchersAge group: 2nd-12th grade
Goal: To appreciate and learn about our precious water resources and how to protect them. Students engage in activities including a journey with Fred the Fish and becoming a water droplet to help explain the human impact on water and learn what they can do to rectify the problem. Indiana State Science Academic Standards
Lesson of the LoraxAge group: K-3rd grade
Goal: To learn about the beauty of a well-balanced ecosystem. Students learn the important role that trees play in keeping a natural, healthy environment. Students then become Deputy Loraxes and learn how they can “speak for the trees!” Indiana State Science Academic Standards
Pollution TownAge group: 4th-6th grade
Goal: To appreciate and learn what humans can do to improve their local environment and watershed. This hands-on, interactive model introduces non-point source pollution and demonstrates the large impact students can have on their own environment –especially on a local level. Indiana State Science Academic Standards
GarbologyAge group: 4th-12th grade
Goal: To appreciate how analyzing garbage can reveal information about a society and the impact that society makes on the environment. Students become garbologists as they find clues and make observations and inferences about garbage! They learn of the challenges archaeologists face and the importance of recycling. Indiana State Science Academic Standards
Love Those “Ladybugs”Age group: Preschool-3rd grade
Goal: Explore the concept of biological controls as an alternative to chemical use. Students learn about the ladybird beetle and their role on earth. Each student will experience a ladybird beetle up-close for study. Program availability: Seasonal: April-November, weather permitting
Lakes and Dunes in My BackyardAge group: 3rd-5th grade
Goal: To introduce students to the resources and animals that live in the Great Lakes region and how to protect them. Students learn about the unique animals and resources that are in the Great Lakes region. Each student will see the resources first hand and explore ways to conserve them.
Just Ask!!!We can adapt ANY program to suit the needs of your classroom and age level! |
