Classroom Education
Programs
Classroom Education
Programs
Education Programs
All programs are free. Programs are available for schools, youth, and other community organizations. To ensure the best availability, please reserve dates in advance. Standards information is available by request. All programs are approximately 30-45 minutes and can accommodate up to 30 students. Community groups must have at least 10 people.
Contact District Educator/Outreach Coordinator Stefanie to schedule programs.
educator@dearborncounty.in.gov or 812-926-9963
| Programs | Grade Levels |
|---|---|
| Worm Composting | K-8 |
| Paper Recycling | K-12 |
| Litter Bugs | K-2 |
| Freddy the Fish | 2-4 |
| Edible Landfill Cookie | 4-6 |
| 3Rs | K-2 |
| Renewable Is Doable | 3-4 |
| What A Mess | 3-4 |
| How Do They Do That? (Aluminum and Paper) | 3-5 |
| How Do They Do That? (Plastic Bottles) | 3-5 |
| Cookie Mining | 4-6 |
| STEM Upcycle Projects | 4-6 |
| Green Cleaning | 6-12 |
| Household Hazardous What? | 6-8 |
| Recycling Jeopardy | 6-12 |
| E-Waste: When To Pull The Plug | 6-12 |
Most Requested Programs
Worm Composting (K-8) Vermicomposting is fascinating for all ages. Students learn all about vermicomposting worms and their role as nature’s composting critters. Each student examines and touches a worm. (30 min.) Add-on: Students plant seeds in starter pots using a combination of compost and potting soil. (30 min)
Paper Recycling (K-12) Students learn how paper is recycled. Students recycle scrap paper to make their own paper to take home. Seeds can be added to make a special paper gift. (45 min)
Special shapes and cards available for
Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day,and Mother’s Day.
Litter Bugs (K-2) This program combines a presentation based on the storybook The Wartville Wizard (about a town of litter bugs who learn to stop littering) with a classroom clean-up activity. (30 min)
Freddy the Fish (2-4) Students travel with Freddy as he journeys downstream, discovering litter and pollutants along the way. Throughout the interactive story, students add these contaminants to Freddy’s water and observe firsthand how they affect both Freddy and the health of the water ecosystem.(30 min + additional time between sessions)
Edible Landfill Cookie (4-6) Students learn how landfills are designed and managed, with an emphasis on how much waste we generate and the content of that waste. Students will learn about the importance of recycling and composting in waste reduction. The class will build an edible landfill on a cookie cake, using a variety of candies and cereal. They will share the treat at the end of the lesson. (45 min-1 hr)
Additional Classroom Programs
3Rs (K-2) Students hear a story, participate in a sorting activity, and come up with ideas about reducing, reusing, and recycling. (30 min)
Renewable is Doable (3-4) This lesson teaches students about renewable and non-renewable natural resources, scarcity, alternative energy sources, and how recycling helps conservation efforts. Participants play a Bingo game at the end of the lesson using the new vocabulary they have learned. (45 min - 1 hour)
What a Mess! (3-4) Students are introduced to the four categories of waste disposal: trash, recycling, compost, and Household Hazardous Waste. They play a game to sort items into these categories. (30 min)
Add-on: Bingo game using the vocabulary from the lesson. (30 min)
How Do They Do That? Aluminum and Paper (3-5) Students learn about the process of turning a tree into paper or bauxite into aluminum cans, then the class discovers how the process changes when people recycle. Participants learn about energy use and renewable and non-renewable resources. (30 minutes)
NEW! How Do They Do That? Plastic Bottles (3-5) Students learn about the process of how a plastic bottle is made, then the class discovers how the process changes when people recycle. Participants learn about energy use and renewable and non-renewable resources. (30 minutes)
NEW! Cookie Mining (4-6) This lesson teaches students about natural resources, scarcity, and how recycling helps conservation efforts. Students "mine" chocolate chips out of cookies to demonstrate the effects of how mining depletes our natural resources.(45 min)
NEW! STEM Upcycling Projects (4-6) Students explore STEM concepts using items from the recycling bin. (45 min.- up to 3 consecutive classes)
Available projects include:
Kaleidoscope
Pumpkin Chuckin
’Grow A Heart Grinch
Mint Racers
Desktop Recycle Bin
Robot Hand
Cotton Ball Launcher
STEM Upcycling Projects must be scheduled at least 3-4 weeks in advance to allow time to gather materials.
NEW! Green Cleaning (6-12) Students learn about household hazardous waste (HHW). After discovering the hazards posed by some products, students learn about safer alternatives. At the end of the lesson, students create their own hand sanitizer or body wash. (40 min)
Household Hazardous What? (6-8) Students identify and sort household products based on purpose and content. They learn about the use and disposal methods to improve human and environmental safety. After discovering the hazards posed by some products, students learn about safer alternatives. (40 min)
Recycling Jeopardy (6-12) Just like on the game show, students work on teams to buzz in and ask the right question for clues ranging in focus from recycling facts to composting and environmental facts. Prizes are awarded for winning and participation.
E-Waste: When To Pull The Plug (6-12) In this lesson, students will learn about the harmful and beneficial components found in electronics, as well as the way electronics are recycled. (30 min)
Add-on: Bingo game using the vocabulary from the lesson. (30 min)
Need another program that isn't listed?
We can also put together a fully customized program to fit your needs.