Field Trip Programs

[K-6th Grade]

• Fall (Late August- Beginning of November)

  • Migration Headache:

    • Students will learn about the different hurdles that birds face as they migrate and how they overcome these hurdles. We will talk about the importance of stopover habitats and what we can do to help birds on their migration.

  • Using your Senses:

    • An animal’s senses are important features of a bird’s body that help it to survive. Our senses are also very important to us, and in this program, students will learn how our senses impact our daily lives and the daily lives of animals here at Cope.

• Winter (February & March)

  • Maple Syrup

    • This field trip takes students through the process of Maple Syrup making. We begin with the science of trees and the role trees play in syrup production. We also describe how syrup was discovered and how it has changed throughout the years.  Students might also have the opportunity to sample some of CEC’s very own Maple Syrup.

       

• Spring (April & May)

  • Birds of the Wetland:

    • Students will learn about the different birds that call our wetlands home and how they live their daily lives. They will learn what role birds play in the ecosystem and how important that role is to our daily lives.

  • Pond Study:

    • Students will get to explore the ecosystem of Kite Pond to see what lies beneath. We will use dip nets to take samples and see the diversity of organisms in the pond. They will learn whether a body of water is healthy. Students will also learn how the pond interacts with its environment and how these pond creatures live their daily lives.

• Year Round

  • Fun With Turtles:

    • Students will learn about our native species of turtles and how they live their daily lives. Students will learn how these reptiles evolved to survive in different environments. Students will also have the opportunity to meet our turtle ambassadors.

  • Slithering Snakes:

    • The purpose of this program is for students to learn about our native species of snake and how they live their lives. Students will learn about the different environments snakes utilize and how they have adapted to survive in those environments. Students will get to meet our snake ambassadors and learn how non-threatening and important these reptiles are.

[7th-12th Grade]

• Fall (Late August- Beginning of November)

  • Energy Cycles:

    • One way to really get to know an ecosystem is to see how the energy flows. In this program, students will learn about the different energy systems and how those systems work. Students will learn why the flow of energy is important in an ecosystem and how they can support that ecosystem’s energy flow. We will do various activities to understand these energy cycles.

  • Fungus Among Us:

    • Students will learn about the different groups of fungi they could see in the woods and their role in the forest. Students will learn how mushrooms are vital to the nutrient cycle and how they form symbiotic relationships to keep forests healthy.

• Spring (April & May)

  • Weather Defenses:

    • Students will learn how healthy native habitats act as a buffer and can protect us from strong storms. Students will learn about the proper management of an environment so that it is resistant to strong weather and unable to cause disaster. We will also discuss how mismanagement can lead to incidents like wildfire.

  • Plant Invaders:

    • Students will learn about the different invasive species that have invaded our local environment and how they are bad for our native species. Students will learn what invasives are, how to identify them, and what they can do to stop the spread and remove invasives.

• Year Round

  • Sustainability:

    • Students will learn why it is important to live a sustainable lifestyle and how they can do that. They will learn how sustainable practices impact things like climate change and local ecosystems. Students will be given a tour of Indiana’s only certified living building.

  • Build an Ecosystem:

    • In this program, students will learn all the different aspects of an ecosystem and what is needed to keep it healthy. Students will learn about living and non-living factors and how they interact together. Students will also learn why it is important to have these healthy native ecosystems and how they impact our lives.

Don’t see your grade level above, no worries, we do offer programs for other grade levels as well as Outreach Programs!

If you are a teacher looking to set up a field trip, click on the button below to start your inquiry.