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ZERO-WASTE HEROES!
GOAL: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink & Re-imagine! Learn to think outside the recycling bin!
DESCRIPTION: We'll talk trash and expand upon the original 3Rs. Students can get their hands on our reused- and recycled-content items. Stories, games and dances are varied according to learning level. We will review types of recyclable materials and strategize how to create less waste.
TARGET AGE: all learning levels
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SOMETHING FISHY
GOAL: Experience a fully-functioning indoor trout stream and participate in hands-on water management education.
DESCRIPTION: Activities are tailored developmentally and range from trout stream introductions to complex water quality testing.
TARGET AGE: all learning levels
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WETLAND WALK
GOAL: Follow the bike trial & visit George Lake which is located directly east of the center and learn the plants and animals that call this wetland home.
DESCRIPTION: A paved trail lined with wetland plants leads the group to several lookout points of the lake. Students discover names and interesting characteristics of a variety of plant species. (seasonal & weather-permitting)
TARGET AGE: all learning levels
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HEALTHY HOMES ARE SUPERHEROES
GOAL: Raise student awareness of Indiana's Lake Michigan watershed and threats to water quality. Experience our NEW Waterwall (Coming soon: educational video and quiz show. Students compete in teams using the EEC’s latest technology to test their knowledge of water quality protection!)
DESCRIPTION: Household hazardous waste education, water quality protection and the "recyclability of water" are the themes of the programs under this heading. Can we learn to use less and keep the pollution out? “Healthy Homes are Superheroes” videos and quiz shows are tailored to the developmental needs of your group and promote water quality protection and stewardship. The "Gallon Jug Game" is adapted for various learning levels.
TARGET AGE: K-8th
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ANIMAL SURVIVAL
GOAL: Demonstrate the effects of a highly-industrialized region on animal populations.
DESCRIPTION: At each learning level students experience animal survival needs, discussing species interdependence and habitats.
TARGET AGE: 1st & up
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NATURAL RESOURCES
GOAL: Explore uses, conservation and preservation of the materials we take from the Earth and discuss resource recovery
DESCRIPTION: Age-appropriate games (and story preK-1st), experiments, and simulations demonstrate the roles of natural resources in our daily lives.
TARGET AGE: all learning levels
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ReUZ IT!
GOAL: Tour the EEC’s ReUZ Room and discuss the definition and benefits of reusing. DESCRIPTION: The educator gathers reusable materials from the ReUZ room and students make & take their re-imagined creations. Seasonal and holiday reuse crafts can be requested.
TARGET AGE: all learning levels
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WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS...
GOAL: Raise student awareness of Indiana's Lake Michigan watershed and threats to water quality. Gain an understanding of watersheds, run off and point and non-point source pollution.
DESCRIPTION: Younger students participate in the story of Freddie the Fish or use the 3x3 Enviroscape floor model to demonstrate the impact of humans on water quality. Older students will pollute the water of "Fake" Michigan and then work to clean it up or can build a stream model then do the water pollution limbo!
TARGET AGE: K-8th
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POND WATER TESTING
GOAL: Discover that the quantity and quality of pond life is a bio-indicator of the health of the pond.
DESCRIPTION: Using microscopes and pond water provided for each student, microorganisms are identified and indexed.
TARGET AGE: 1st & up
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AMPHIBIANS
GOAL: Understand the relationship between amphibians and a healthy aquatic environment.
DESCRIPTION: Students will participate in hands-on activities in order to understand the importance of bioindicators and clean water.
TARGET AGE: K-5th
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WETLANDS
GOAL: Help students identify the variety, diversity and function of wetlands in current ecology.
DESCRIPTION: Games and demonstrations help us explore the "what, why and what's happening" of wetlands.
TARGET AGE: 1st – 4th
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WORM COMPOSTING
GOAL: Give students an understanding of the importance of decomposition in their lives. Be exposed to the complex bio-system of life within a compost pile.
DESCRIPTION: Using a worm compost bin, students do their own microscopic study to identify and quantify the organisms living in the vermiculture.
TARGET AGE: 1st & up