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Education

Virtual Field Trips

Virtual Field Trips

Educators are working on curriculum support for teachers. These resources help teachers with their classroom’s e-learning, supporting topics they had chosen as their field trips. History and nature virtual field trips are available, if interested in booking any of these virtual field trips below or learning more please email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.

Each program runs 30–45 minutes and supports Illinois Learning Standards.

Program Pricing Resident   Nonresident
First Classroom $30 $60
Each additional classroom attending the same program on the same date $20 $30

 

Gateways Grants Eligible Schools Resident   Nonresident
First Classroom $20 N/A
Each additional classroom attending the same program on the same date $10 N/A

 

Begin your registration process today

 

Preschool - Kindergarten

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Birds (Grades K–8)

Grades K–8

What makes a bird a bird? Through the use of natural artifacts, study skins and a visit with a live bird, we introduce your students to the unique characteristics and adaptations of birds with a focus on local birds of prey.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

owl jill and kids

Dinosaurs (Ages 4–Grade 5)

Ages 4–Grade 5

Students will learn about the work of paleontologists, examine fossil casts, and discover the dinosaurs that lived in Lake County.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

Dinosaur

Early Settlers (Ages 4–Grade 5)

Ages 4–Grade 5

Explore the daily lives of early settlers through object-based inquiry. Students will learn about the importance of school, work, and community. We’ll also take a look at what early settlers did for fun.

Availability

Available all year.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

The Ice Age (Ages 4–Grade 5)

Ages 4–Grade 5

Examine fossil casts and artifacts to find out more about the animals and people that lived in our area during the last Ice Age.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Maple Syrup (Grades K–5)–March only

Grades K–5 – March only

Students learn how trees turn water, the sun's energy, and air into sap, and the sweet "science" behind turning that sap into real maple syrup.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip available in March.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Potawatomi Lifeways (Ages 4–Grade 5)

Potawatomi Lifeways

Illinois Science Standards

Ages 4–Grade 5

Using artifacts and other primary sources, students learn about the daily life of the Potawatomi. We’ll look at Potawatomi food, clothing, shelter and more.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Reptiles and Amphibians (Ages 3–Grade 6)

Reptiles and Amphibians

Illinois Science Standards

Ages 3–Grade 6

Students compare and contrast reptiles and amphibians as they get a close-up look at live, local animals to discover how specialized body parts and behaviors help our "herps" survive.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Elementary School

Expand all

Grades 1-5

Animal Adaptations (Grades 3-8)

Animal Adaptations

Illinois Science Standards

Grades 3–8

Learn how adaptations help animals survive in their habitats during this virtual field trip. Through the use of animal skins and other biofacts, students will understand the difference between physical and behavioral adaptations of some of our Illinois backyard residents. They will then become scientists and identify the adaptations of a live animal visitor.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Birds (Grades K–8)

Grades K–8

What makes a bird a bird? Through the use of natural artifacts, study skins and a visit with a live bird, we introduce your students to the unique characteristics and adaptations of birds with a focus on local birds of prey.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

owl jill and kids

Civil War Technology (Grades 5–8)

Civil War Technology

Illinois Science Standards

Grades 5–8

Learn about the impact of technological advances during the Civil War. We’ll examine the use of military reconnaissance balloons, the Gatling gun and the Hunley submarine.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Dinosaurs (Ages 4–Grade 5)

Ages 4–Grade 5

Students will learn about the work of paleontologists, examine fossil casts, and discover the dinosaurs that lived in Lake County.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

Dinosaur

Early Settlers (Ages 4–Grade 5)

Ages 4–Grade 5

Explore the daily lives of early settlers through object-based inquiry. Students will learn about the importance of school, work, and community. We’ll also take a look at what early settlers did for fun.

Availability

Available all year.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Geology of Illinois (Grades 4-8)

Geology of Illinois

Illinois Science Standards

Grades 4-8

Geologic “time” is relative and usually beyond human experience, but relative dating of rocks and fossils is an essential technique for a geologist. Students develop a timeline of significant events in Earth’s history, and identify rock and fossil samples to determine geological time.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

Geology Throughout Time

Lake County: Past to Present (Grades 3–5)

Lake County: Past to Present

Illinois Science Standards

Grades 3–5

Explore the development of Lake County through time by examining artifacts that illustrate the area’s history.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

A Place Called Lake County

Maple Syrup (Grades K–5)–March only

Grades K–5 – March only

Students learn how trees turn water, the sun's energy, and air into sap, and the sweet "science" behind turning that sap into real maple syrup.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip available in March.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

The Ice Age (Ages 4–Grade 5)

Ages 4–Grade 5

Examine fossil casts and artifacts to find out more about the animals and people that lived in our area during the last Ice Age.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Plant Life Cycles (Grades 1–2)

Plant Life Cycles

Illinois Science Standards

Grades 1–2

Through the study of the plant life cycle, students learn the important ways plants and animals rely on each other. Seeds and animal study skins are used to introduce plant needs, pollination and seed dispersal.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Potawatomi Lifeways (Ages 4–Grade 5)

Potawatomi Lifeways

Illinois Science Standards

Ages 4–Grade 5

Using artifacts and other primary sources, students learn about the daily life of the Potawatomi. We’ll look at Potawatomi food, clothing, shelter and more.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Reptiles and Amphibians (Ages 3–Grade 6)

Reptiles and Amphibians

Illinois Science Standards

Ages 3–Grade 6

Students compare and contrast reptiles and amphibians as they get a close-up look at live, local animals to discover how specialized body parts and behaviors help our "herps" survive.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Web of Life (Grades 3–6)

Grades 3–6

Students discover the interdependent relationships between plants and animals and the flow of energy through ecosystems as we work together to build a virtual food web using pelts, skulls and artifacts.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Middle School

Expand all

Grades 6-8

Animal Adaptations (Grades 3–8)

Animal Adaptations

Illinois Science Standards

Grades 3–8

Learn how adaptations help animals survive in their habitats during this virtual field trip. Through the use of animal skins and other biofacts, students will understand the difference between physical and behavioral adaptations of some of our Illinois backyard residents. They will then become scientists and identify the adaptations of a live animal visitor.

Availability

Available all year.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Birds (Grades K–8)

Grades K–8

What makes a bird a bird? Through the use of natural artifacts, study skins and a visit with a live bird, we introduce your students to the unique characteristics and adaptations of birds with a focus on local birds of prey.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

owl jill and kids

Civil War Technology (Grades 5–8)

Civil War Technology

Illinois Science Standards

Grades 5–8

Learn about the impact of technological advances during the Civil War. We’ll examine the use of military reconnaissance balloons, the Gatling gun and the Hunley submarine.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Geology of Illinois (Grades 4–8)

Geology of Illinois

Illinois Science Standards

Grades 4–8

Geologic “time” is relative and usually beyond human experience, but relative dating of rocks and fossils is an essential technique for a geologist. Students develop a timeline of significant events in Earth’s history, and identify rock and fossil samples to determine geological time.

Availability

Available all year.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

Geology Throughout Time

Going Green (Grades 7–12)

Going Green (Grades 7–12)

The Welcome Center at Ryerson Woods is a living exhibit on how sustainable technology and use of resources are used to balance the needs of people and nature. Discover the sustainable strategies and technologies utilized in design and construction during this virtual presentation.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Lake Ecology (Grades 6–12)

Grades 6–12

Students will observe chemical tests and learn why we test for these factors. They will then analyze the data to see if different animals can live at the lake based on these abiotic factors.

Availability

Available all year.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Lake Ecology: Biotic Factors with pond animals (Grades 6–12)

Lake Ecology: Biotic Factors with pond animals

Illinois Science Standards

Grades 6–12

Students will look at Macroinvertebrates caught from the Lake at Independence Grove and ID them. They will then evaluate the data to see if the lake is healthy based on biotic factors.

Availability

Available all year.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Lake Ecology: Watersheds (Grades 6–12)

Lake Ecology: Watersheds

Illinois Science Standards

Grades 6–12

Students will observe a demonstration of our Enviroscape model and learn how the use around a watershed can affect the water body itself.

Availability

Available all year.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Reptiles and Amphibians (Ages 3–Grade 6)

Reptiles and Amphibians

Illinois Science Standards

Ages 3–Grade 6

Students compare and contrast reptiles and amphibians as they get a close-up look at live, local animals to discover how specialized body parts and behaviors help our "herps" survive.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Web of Life (Grades 3–6)

Grades 3–6

Students discover the interdependent relationships between plants and animals and the flow of energy through ecosystems as we work together to build a virtual food web using pelts, skulls and artifacts.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

High School

Expand all

Grades 9-12

Going Green (Grades 7–12)

Going Green (Grades 7–12)

The Welcome Center at Ryerson Woods is a living exhibit on how sustainable technology and use of resources are used to balance the needs of people and nature. Discover the sustainable strategies and technologies utilized in design and construction during this virtual presentation.

Availability

This is a virtual field trip

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Lake Ecology (Grades 6–12)

Grades 6–12

Students will observe chemical tests and learn why we test for these factors. They will then analyze the data to see if different animals can live at the lake based on these abiotic factors.

Availability

Available all year.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Lake Ecology: Biotic Factors with pond animals (Grades 6–12)

Lake Ecology: Biotic Factors with pond animals

Illinois Science Standards

Grades 6–12

Students will look at Macroinvertebrates caught from the Lake at Independence Grove and ID them. They will then evaluate the data to see if the lake is healthy based on biotic factors.

Availability

Available all year.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

Lake Ecology: Watersheds (Grades 6–12)

Lake Ecology: Watersheds

Illinois Science Standards

Grades 6–12

Students will observe a demonstration of our Enviroscape model and learn how the use around a watershed can affect the water body itself.

Availability

Available all year.

Reservations

Begin your registration process by clicking the button below or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org.
Make reservations now - plan early to help ensure you get a schedule that meets your needs.

 

 

View the list of Illinois Science Standards covered by our programs

Teacher Open House

Attend a spring or fall Teacher Open House to learn about programs and resources for your class, and take part in teacher training sessions with Museum and Environmental education staff. Up to two CPDUs available. Check our calendar for dates or sign up for our educator email list.

Ask An Educator

Are you teaching a unit on threatened and endangered species and want to feature local examples? Does your class have questions about pioneer settlers in Lake County? We can help.

Submit questions about Lake County’s natural and human history to AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org and we will respond to your inquiry.

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