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EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Field Trips

Throughout the school year, we host field trips at our Environmental Education Center in Merrillville. We provide quality, hands-on activities for students which cover a variety of topics related to recycling and sustainability.

Welcome to the Environmental Education Center!

Join us for a full day of environmental education at the Environmental Education Center!  Our educators will provide a day of quality, hands-on activities for your students.  Field trips are free for all Lake County, Indiana schools, and take place between 10am-1pm. Students will enjoy their bagged lunches brought from home in our lunchroom, where they also learn how to sort recyclables and compostable food scraps using our full recycling and composting system!

Registration is FULL for 2025-2026 Field Trips. See you next school year!

2025-2026 Field Trip Programs

All About Water

GRADE LEVEL: 3rd-6th
DESCRIPTION:  Students will learn about the local watershed, water pollution, and water conservation through fun and engaging activities.

Science:
3LS4-3, 4-LS1-1, 4-ESS3-1, 5-LS1-1, 5-ESS2-1, 5-ESS3-1, MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-4

Social Studies:
3.C.4, 4.E.7, 5.C.6, 5.C.8, 3.G.8, 6.H.13
ELA:
3.CC.3, 3.CC.5, 4.CC.1, 5.CC.1, 5.CC.3, 6.CC.1-3

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

GRADE LEVEL: K-3rd
DESCRIPTION:  Students will learn about environmental stewardship and the importance of the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.  Activities may include games, stories, and crafts. 

Science:
K-ESS3-3, 4-ESS1-1, 5-ESS3-1

Social Studies:
K.C.1, K.C.2, 1.C.1, 1.C.2, 1.C.3, 1.C.4, 3.C.4, 3.G.8
ELA:
K.RF.1, K.RF.3, K.RC.1, K.RC.3, K.RC.4, K.W.1, K.CC.3, K.CC.5, 1.RC.1, 1.RC.4, 1.CC.2, 1.CC.3, 1.CC.7, 2.RC.1, 2.RC.3, 2.CC.2, 2.CC.3, 2.CC.6, 3.CC.5

Composting And Food Waste

GRADE LEVEL: K-6th
DESCRIPTION:  Students will learn about food waste and strategies to reduce it, including composting and vermicomposting (worms). This program utilizes hands-on activities. Please inform the educators prior to your program of any student allergies such as trees, grass, tree nuts, or eggs to ensure proper precautions.  

Science:
K-ESS3-3, 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-4, 5-LS1-1, 5-LS2-1, 5-ESS3-1

Social Studies:
K.E.2, 1.C.3, 1.G.4, 1.E.1-3, 2.H.3, 3.C.4, 5.C.6, 6.H.13


ELA:
K.RC.1, K.RC.5, 1.CC.1-1.CC.4, 2.CC.1-4, 2.CC.6, 3.CC.5, 4.CC.1, 4.CC.3, 5.CC.1-3, 6.CC.1-3

All About Plastics

GRADE LEVEL: 3rd-6th
DESCRIPTION:  This program focuses on identifying different types of plastic and their uses. Activities will include experiments and exploration of scientific principles as they pertain to plastics. 

Science:
4-ESS3-1, 5-PS1-3, 5-ESS3-1

Social Studies:
3.C.4, 3.E.7, 4.E.7, 5.C.6, 5.C.8, 6.H.13


ELA:
3.CC.1, 3.CC.5, 4.CC.1-3, 5.CC.1, 5.CC.3, 6.CC.1-3

Healthy Homes And Habitats

GRADE LEVEL: K-3rd
DESCRIPTION:  Students will learn about the conservation of water and energy in and around their home, as well as how to create healthy habitats for wildlife. Students will also learn how to identify household hazardous waste and ways to reduce its negative environmental impact. 

Science:
K-ESS3-3, 3-LS4-3

Social Studies:
K.G.1, 1.C.3, 1.G.4, 1.E.1-3, 2.H.3, 3.C.4, 3.G.8


ELA:
K.RC.1, K.RC.5,1.CC.1, 1.CC.2, 1.CC.7, 2.CC.1-4 ,2.CC.1-4, 2.CC.6, 3.CC.1, 3.CC.3, 3.CC.5

register here

More Education Programs

  • Educator Day

    Kickstart your school year at our environmental education open house. Explore program offerings, snag early registrations, stock up in the Reuse Room, and pick up PGPs and prizes.

  • Worms In the Classroom

    Bring composting to life with a classroom worm bin—supplies and lessons included. Learn it works, what’s included, and how to claim your limited spot.

  • Enviromobile

    Want our lessons to come to you? Our “Enviromobile” brings grade-level environmental programs straight into your classroom!

  • Reuse Room

    Pick up or donate egg cartons, plastic tubs, crayons, and more. See what’s available, what you can donate, and schedule your visit to the Reuse Room!