Virtual Outreach Teacher Training

For Teachers Length: 20-25 minutes Please contact us to set up a program time and date!

Learn about video field trips for your class room: how do they work; incorporating them into lesson plans, and available resources for choosing the right video field trip.  This program addresses these issues using examples of current field trips offered by many different content providers around the country. Includes question-and-answer time for all your inquires regarding virtual outreach programs.

Science Virtual Field Trips

A Sense of Adaptation

Curriculum Correlation:

MI Life Science Strands III.2 and III.4: Organization of Living Things and Adaptation.

All Students will analyze  how parts of living things are adapted to carry out specific functions.

Grades: 1-3 Length: 45 minutes Cost: $50.00 Please contact us to set up a program time and date!

How does an ostrich egg differ from a chicken egg?  Why does a zebra have stripes? Observe live crickets, see and touch a peacock feather, practice making scientific predictions and more! 

In this program, students will learn to make scientific observations about the world around them using their five senses.  Students will create their own scientific drawings and test their knowledge with hands-on materials included with each program.  Viewing photos and real museum objects complete the experience, making it a perfect addition to lesson plans and classroom activities.

You can know download "Sense of Adaptation" materials:

                  Link to Teacher Package (PDF format)

                  Link to Student Handout (PDF format)

Michigan Fossils

Curriculum Correlations:

MI Science Strand III, content standard 4: Evolution.

All students will explain how scientists construct and scientifically test theories concerning the origin of life and evolution of species; compare ways that living organisms are adapted to survive and reproduce in their environment and analyze how species change through time.

Grades: 4-12 Presenter: Dr. Danita Brandt Length: 45 minutes Cost: $50.00 Please contact us to set up a program time and date!

What was Michigan like millions of years ago? How do we know? This program discusses Michigan's geologic history using fossils from around the state. Topics covered include an introduction to fossils and fossil preservation; an overview of Michigan's geologic history, with reference to fossils from each of the main episodes of Michigan's history (shallow-sea, coal-swamp and ice-age); and answers to questions like, "Why are there no dinosaurs found in Michigan?" and "Where can I find fossils in Michigan?"

Click here for "Michigan Fossils" materials


The Dish about Dinosaurs

Curriculum Correlation:

MI science strand III, content standard 4: Evolution.

All students will explain how scientists construct and specifically test theories concerning the origin of life and evolution of species; compare ways that living organisms are adapted to survive and reproduce in their environment; and analyze how species change through time.

Grades: 2 and 3 Presenter: James Harding Length: 45 minutes Cost: $50.00 Please contact us to set up a program time and date!

Geared to the level of the class, this program covers types of dinosaurs, behavior, and theories about the disappearance of the dinosaurs. Program discusses how fossils are used to theorize the behavior and appearance of dinosaurs. Fossils and models of dinosaurs are used throughout the presentation. Other topics may include the relationship between birds and dinosaurs, what we still don't know about dinosaurs, and why there weren't dinosaurs in Michigan.

Click here for "The Dish about Dinosaurs" materials

 


Clues from the Past: Fossils Tell a Story

Curriculum Correlation:

MI science strand III, content standard 4: Evolution.

All students will explain how scientists construct and specifically test theories concerning the origin of life and evolution of species; compare ways that living organisms are adapted to survive and reproduce in their environment; and analyze how species change through time.

Grades: 3-5 Presenter: Dr. Danita Brandt Length: 45 minutes Cost: $50.00 Please contact us to set up a program time and date!

What is a fossil and how do scientists use fossils to develop hypothesis about the appearance and behavior of animals from the past? Program compares a fossil to a bone and discusses how a bone becomes a fossil. The selection of fossils used and the specific content is adapted to the interest and level of the class but may include archaeopteryx, trilobites, Michigan mastodons, and dinosaur fossils.

Experts Talk! Program

"Critter Guy" Q & A

Curriculum Correlation:

MI science strand III, content standard 4: Evolution.

All students will explain how scientists construct and specifically test theories concerning the origin of life and evolution of species; compare ways that living organisms are adapted to survive and reproduce in their environment; and analyze how species change through time.

Grades: K-12 Presenter: James Harding Length: 30-45 minutes Cost: $50.00 Please contact us to set up a program time and date!

Jim Harding, MSU's "Critter Guy," answers questions about the critters that live around us. This informal session is driven by the questions of your students. We recommend this session as a follow-up to outdoor observations or a classroom study where students have developed a set of questions they would like to explore. Questions might relate to seasonal changes in animal behavior ("Why aren't there many frogs this summer?"), care of wild animals ("Is it okay to bring a turtle home?"), identification ("What are these rocks that we found behind the school?"), to career questions ("What does a naturalist do?" or "What kinds of jobs can you get where you work with animals?").