Meet one of our animals up close and personal via Zoom. Your class will receive a 15 minute introduction to the animal of your choice, followed by 10 minutes of question/answer time.

ILLINOIS STATE REPTILE

Become familiar with our state reptile-the painted turtle. Students will learn to distinguish reptiles from other animals, as well as how to identify the painted turtles from other types. Students will be able to engage in a real time question and answer session with Grove experts. (all grade levels)

ILLINOIS SNAKES

Learn all about what types of snakes make Illinois their home-as well as how snakes are successful predators without any appendages. Students will be able to “meet” some of The Grove’s snakes and have a real time question and answer session with Grove experts. (all grade levels)

GROVE BIRDS OF PREY

The Grove is home to many different types of native raptors to Illinois-discover what makes these birds adapted to be such great hunters, what they eat and where you can find them. Students will get a close up look at some of the birds of prey that call the Interpretive Center home, and be able to have all their questions answered with Grove staff. (all grade levels).

GROVE OPOSSUMS

Discover why opossums are such an important part of the ecosystem at The Grove. These elusive animals can be hard to find in nature, but students will get to meet and study our resident opossum and learn all about them! (all grade levels)

A visit to Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie is an opportunity to experience the Illinois of yesteryear, when prairies covered most of the state.

PRAIRIE PRIMER

The Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie natural areas will introduce young explorers to prairie life—both plant and animal. Students enjoy a sensory rich experience that allows them to touch, smell and see the differences between Illinois native prairie plants. A guided trail walk allows students to identify common prairie plants and discover evidence of animal life.

Illinois Common Core and NGSS: K-LS1-1; 1-LS1-1

PRAIRIE 101

Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie is the ideal setting for students to see first hand how this grassland differs from other types of ecosystems. Students will learn to identify the characteristics of native plants and find out what makes prairie plants adaptable to such harsh conditions. We’ll discover the principles of controlled fire and find out what types of wildlife make the prairie their home. An interactive prairie walk includes hands on natural history activities.

Illinois Common Core and NGSS: 1-LS1-1; 2-LS4-1; 3-LS4-2; 4-LS1-1; 5LS1-1

SEEDS

Explore the world of seeds- from how they are formed, to how seeds have adapted to disperse in many different ways! Students will create their own seed dispersal mechanism-and test it to see how far the seeds can disperse, walk the trails to learn about the different plants and seeds that can be found on the prairie, to helping plant milkweed seeds.

Illinois Common Core and NGSS: 2-LS2-2

GOING GREEN

What makes a building “green”? Learn why the Evelyn Pease Tyner Interpretive Center is a LEED Platinum certified building, and discover all the green technologies that are incorporated into its design. We’ll take you on a guided tour of the building that will focus on the geothermal heating and cooling system, photovoltaic roof panels and eco-friendly building materials and practices. Outside we’ll take a close-up look at the Tyner Center’s vegetative roof and learn about the history of Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie.

Illinois Common Core and NGSS: MS-ESS3-3; MS-ESS3-4; MS-ESS3-5