Second & Third Grade
Registration & Fee Information
ECO-EXPLORATIONS
1.5 hours
180 students maximum
This is one of our more popular programs. Students hike through woodlands, wetlands and meadows and investigate the interactions and adaptations of producers, consumers, and decomposers in these natural areas. Observe and compare the unique characteristics of each ecosystem.
For a full-day experience, add a lab to this program!
Potential to address the following IL Learning Standards / Key Concepts:
11A - Scientific Inquiry
12A - Living and Non-living
12A/12B - Adaptations
12B - Habitats
12B - Food Webs / Interactions
TREES: ANIMAL HOUSES
1.5 hours
180 students maximum
Trees are what we do best! The many form of interdependence between trees and animals is explored through a variety of activities. Trees provide homes as well as food for animals. In return, animals are vital for the life cycle of trees because they often disperse seeds, are an important part of soil formation, and more. Students (and perhaps teachers) also will discover how much trees provide for humans.
(This program pairs nicely with our Leave No Child Inside program.)
Potential to address the following IL Learning Standards / Key Concepts:
11A - Scientific Inquiry
12B - Habitats
12B - Food Webs / Interactions
12E - Natural Cycles
TERRIFIC TREES
1.5 hours
180 students maximum
Student gain an appreciation for the diversity of trees by comparing their overall shapes, sizes, and colors. Although their life cycles and basic parts are very similar, there are also many differences in their seeds, fruits and leaf shapes. Activities include simplified tree identification.
Potential to address the following IL Learning Standards / Key Concepts:
11A - Scientific Inquiry
12A - Life Cycles
12A/12B - Adaptations
TREES: NATURE'S RECYCLERS
1.5 hours
180 students maximum
Nature wastes nothing! Nature re-uses material in many different cycles including the water and soil cycles. Trees play an important role in those cycles. Learn how water is cleaned and re-distributed and how leaves and branches build soil. This gives your students a good introduction into ecosystem ecology.
Potential to address the following IL Learning Standards / Key Concepts:
11A - Scientific Inquiry
12A - Life Cycles
12B - Food Webs / Interactions
12E - Natural Cycles
LEAVE NO CHILD INSIDE
1.5 hours
200 students maximum
A growing body of research is telling us that unstructured time spent outdoors in nature is critical to children's physical, social, and emotional development. Such outdoor experiences can foster creativity, emotional well-being, independent learning, and problem solving. The beauty of the Arboretum changes daily, and your students will have an opportunity to explore whatever is most interesting on the day of your visit. One of our guides can be on hand to answer questions and guide students to exciting observations, but the focus is on free exploration of nature.
(This program pairs nicely with Trees : Animal Houses described above.)
This program is not meant to address any specific IL Learning Standards.
FULL DAY OPTION FOR 3RD GRADE
ECO-EXPLORATIONS PLUS LAB
3 hours (1.5 field hours and 1.5 lab hours with lunch in between)
180 students maximum
Enhance your experience at the Arboretum by spending the entire day with us. Students participate in the field Eco-Explorations program for half the day, and use microscopes to closely examine the adaptations of plants and animals from wetland, woodland, and prairie ecosystems the other half of the day.
Potential to address the following IL Learning Standards / Key Concepts:
11A - Scientific Inquiry
12A - Living and Non-living
12A/12B - Adaptations
12B - Habitats
12B - Food Webs / Interactions
12B - Scientific Instruments