Group Programs Brochure

Our current program offerings are listed below. However, we’re always happy to work with group leaders to tailor a program to your specific needs. Workshops and programs marked with an “*” are conducted only at the Museum. Workshops will require extended class time.

Programs by Subject

Program Descriptions

All About Owls

Learn about the natural history and unique adaptations of birds of prey. Each student will dissect an owl pellet to determine what the owl had eaten.

This program is offered only as a workshop.

Grades 3-8, 1 ½ hours

Animal Adaptations

This popular program helps students identify and understand various animal adaptations. Activities focus on adaptations that give clues to the animals’ habitat and how they survive in the wild through both physical and behavioral adaptations.

Preschool - Adult, 45 minutes to 1 hour

Endangered Species

Take an interactive look at endangered species in Illinois and beyond. Explore causes for their declining status, determine what specifics are required for survival and what we can do to protect them.

Grades 3-6, 1 hour.

Digging up the Past: An Archeologist’s Day

Do all archeologists look like Indiana Jones and venture into frightening, unknown places? Only in the movies! Step into the shoes of real life archeologists and learn about their tools, where to dig, what to look for, and how to find and care for valuable artifacts. Take part in a dig for artifacts. Available as additional workshop activity for two hour time during which students make coil or pinch clay pots or take part in an archeology game.

This program is offered only as a workshop.

Grades 3-adult, 1 ½ - 2 hrs

Exploring the Senses

Our five senses allow us to connect with our world, people, and nature. Learn all about those senses in this highly interactive class. Experience taste, smell, touch, sight, and hearing. Compare our sensory abilities to the animals and insects around us.

Outdoor experiences are included in accordance with weather conditions.

Preschool – Grade 2, 45 minutes to 1 hour

Focus on Fossils

How do we know about dinosaurs, ancient plants, and sea creatures? Fossils hold the answers. Students will examine a variety of fossils, including trilobites, teeth, bone, footprints and coprolites (fossil feces). Through an interactive story about a fossil fish, learn how fossils are made, how climate and geology have changed through time, and what rock types commonly contain fossils. Sessions conclude with each student making a take-home fossil.

 

This program is offered only as a workshop.

Grade 2-6, 1 ½ hours

I Speak for the Trees

Based on Dr. Seuss’ classic story The Lorax, students learn why the Lorax is trying to save the truffula trees. The Lorax is sending the message that we need to take care of all parts of our Earth. Students learn why trees are important, what we need versus what we think we need, and how practicing the 3R’s can help us be good Earth protectors.

A workshop may be added to this program for an additional fee. Outdoor experiences are included in accordance with weather conditions.

Preschool-Grade 3, 45 minutes to 1 ¼ hours

Incredible Insects

Insects are everywhere! There are more insects on Earth than all other animals combined. Are all bugs insects, and what body parts are the same for all insects? See the world through an insect’s eyes and watch simulated mouth parts in action. Older grades will explore insect life cycles and roles insects play within natural areas.

Outdoor experiences are included in accordance with weather conditions.

Grades 1-6, 1 hour

LaSalle Expedition and the Fur Trade

What motivated early explorers such as LaSalle to venture into unknown territory? From Montreal to the Great Lakes to the mouth of the Mississippi River, how did this French explorer affect the lives of the Native American people? How did the Native Americans influence LaSalle and his men? Discover how the fur trade changed the land and cultural development.

A workshop may be added to this program for an additional fee.

Grade 4-Adult, 1-1 ¼ hours

Let’s Get Growing

What is a plant? How do they grow? Explore the wonderful world of plants as students take a close-up look to discover what plants need to grow, how seeds develop into plants, why plants need certain insects to survive, and how plants become so widely dispersed.

Outdoor experiences are included in accordance with weather conditions.

Preschool-Grade 4, 45min – 1 hour

Life in the Slow Lane: Pioneer & Native American Lifestyles

Ready for some fun at a pace far slower than today’s breakneck speed?  Hands-on experience as a pioneer and Native American awaits you.  This activity-filled program illustrates the knowledge and skill it took to survive in years past.  People adapted their lifestyles to what nature offered them, or, as in the case of the Pioneers, what minimal items they could buy in town.  A wide variety of activities are available: corn grinding; quill writing; rope, candle, butter, and necklace making; tin punch craft; clay pottery; Native American/Pioneer foods; and Native American games.  Other activities may be available on request.  Pricing depends on length of class and activities chosen.

This program is offered only as a workshop.

Grades 3-Adult, Minimum 3 hours

Museum Tour

Stroll through the museum with an educator who will highlight the newest and most famous exhibits. Focus on the Mason Creek fossils, endangered animal species or the LaSalle Expedition exhibit.

Grades 3-6, 1 hour.

Native American Games

Native Americans of all tribes played games primarily to develop adult survival skills, but they were also for entertainment and fun. After an interactive presentation, students play a variety of games. This program also includes artifacts and discussion from Native Americans: One with the Land. (Take-home project for workshop is a “jackrabbit hit,” made from cornhusks and feathers.)

This program is offered only as a workshop.

Preschool-adult, 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours

Native Americans: One with the Land

Everyday life and activities among Woodland and Plains tribes come to life. As 21st century inhabitants, how would we be able to find food and cook without a grocery store or a microwave? Students ponder what it would be like to have lived 400 years ago, relying only on the natural environment to survive. LOTS of hands-on artifacts, even a bison robe to try on!

Preschool-adult, 1 hour

Nature Walk

Join us for a walk outside! This program looks at many aspects of nature – animal homes, plants, sensory awareness, insects, trees, and animals such as the Lords Park bison. Be ready for the weather and fun!

Available only spring, summer, and fall. Program will be rescheduled if weather conditions prevent this program from running.

Preschool-Adult, length of program varies.

Our Feathered Friends

What makes a bird a bird? Learn the ups and downs of bird life, take a close-up look at feathers, and discover what types of beaks and feet are the best tools for different foods and habitats. Older grades will try their wings at flight and migration.

A workshop may be added to this program for an additional fee.

Grades 1-8, 1-1 ½ hours

Our Earth Needs YOU!

Yes, people from 0 to 100 are needed to help protect the environment we all share! Learn about nature’s cycles and how humans are creating problems. Discover how we harm the environment through pollution, over-consumption, and waste generation. Through interactive discussion, students will consider ways to reduce these stresses, with an emphasis on decreased waste generation: reducing, reusing and recycling.

Kindergarten-Adult, 1 hour

Reptiles and Amphibians

Yuck! It’s slimy and slithery…or is it? Interactive discussion and activities help students understand what reptiles and amphibians are and their similarities and differences in comparison to other animal groups.

Preschool-Grade 3, 45 minutes to 1 hour

Touching on Traditions

 

Tours and workshops are presented in conjunction with the Museum’s annual multicultural exhibit Touching on Traditions at the Lords Park Pavilion. Groups learn about a variety of winter holidays and traditions celebrated around the world. This exhibit, developed by Elgin area families who have immigrated from other countries, features more than 60 ethnic winter traditions. The displays include lights, trees, costumes, and other holiday materials. Teacher packets will be available for those registered for a program.

Touching on Traditions is only available from Thanksgiving- New Year's.

Preschool-Adult, 1 hour
The Lords Park Pavilion is located at 100 Oakwood Drive., Elgin, IL.

What’s a Dinosaur?

Travel back in time 65 million years ago to the “Age of Dinosaurs.” Were all dinosaurs big? What color were dinosaurs? What makes a dinosaur a dinosaur? These are just a few of the thoughts we’ll discuss as we dispel some of the myths about dinosaurs. Names of dinosaurs are discussed, but not stressed. See the life-size cast of a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull.

Preschool-Grade 2, 45 minutes to 1 hour

Wild about Rocks!

Pumice, sandstone, slate, oh my! What are they and what do they have in common? They are all rocks! Learn the ways geologists identify rocks and minerals and the difference between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Learn the many rock materials we use or see in everyday life. Fossils “come alive” as students learn how they are made and why they are important in understanding our natural history.

Grade 2-6, 1-1 ¼ hours