Grassland Environmental Education Center
Activity Station Descriptions

Most activities are a version of Project WET, Project WILD, or WOW!  Due to time, many activities are not fully completed, but the main ideas have been covered in the course of the activity.

Inside
Camouflage Coloring – Students will be able to color pictures of wildlife (mainly birds) like they would see them in the wild.  Students can discuss what might be the reasoning behind an animal wanting to look like its surroundings.

Humpty Dumpty – Students relate to the challenges of doing environmental restoration projects to piece together a simple puzzle.  Many times project leaders don’t have all the historical information to restore an area to exactly how it was.

Marsh Market – Discussion of where items found in our lunch come from.  What agriculture crops and processing might be necessary to get from nature to our lunch box.

Over Hill and Dale – Using a large model, students will be able to map the course of water and discuss what might be affecting the water quality along the way.

Owl Pellets – Students dissect Barn Owl pellets to determine what they had eaten.  A chart is available to determine the type of animals and where the bone is found on the animal.  Many times a complete animal can be found in a single owl pellet.

Scavenger Hunt – Students use clues to find the answers based on information found inside the education center.  Scavenger hunt focuses on reading, counting, observation and researching. 

Story Time – In the library corner, books are available for reading to students.  All books have an interest in wetland, habitats, or wildlife animals.  Story time is a nice brake for the younger grade levels.

Wetland Habitats – Students use a flow chart to assist in introducing and sorting out the common types of wetlands.  They will be able to look at the different wetlands throughout the United States and some of the similarities and differences between them.

Outside
Animal Tracks – Students follow a key in identifying characteristics of animal tracks to help categorize and name the individual species.  If time permits, they can assist in increasing GEECe’s collection of plaster cast creatures.

The Hunter – Students will read and discuss a story regarding hunting.  Students will be able to discuss their feelings on hunting and note the differences in attitudes towards hunting within the group.

Plant Identification – Students will use a Wetland Plant Identification Guide to assist them in identifying plants found in a wetland.

Pond Critters – Looking for invertebrates in the pond.  Students will have a chance to view them in 2-way microscopes to assist them in identifying what they are.

Do You Dig Wetland Soil? – Students discover the physical qualities of soil and why biologists compare wetland soil to a sponge.  Students will also be introduced into different soil levels in a wetland.

What a Boat! – Students learn how wetland plants cold be used to build boats in native cultures.  Each station group will have a chance to make a boat that will be tested later in the day!