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The mission of
the PEBC
is
to be a vehicle for understanding
and appreciating the natural
wonders in our own backyards.
Community Education |
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The Prairie Ecology Bus Center offers a wide variety of classes for ages Pre-K, K-2, and 3-6 in SW Minnesota. The programs listed are options available for CE organizations wishing to bring in additional programs. Programs are available where PEBC staff will come to you to present classes in your communities. Community Education Programs vary by season and are available primarily in summer and winter months and change each season. Programs listed are also available to youth groups and organizations. For a printable copy:Download
CE Programs |
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Program Name |
Pre-K |
K-2 |
3-6 |
Program Description |
Animal Tools |
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Nutcracker, snowshoes, paddle, coat and radar. What do these things have in common? If you said animal tools, you are right! These are just some of the cool tools animals have built in to help them survive. Join us as we learn what animals have these tools, how they use them and many more through funny activities and goofy games. |
Busy Beavers |
P |
P |
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Mmm, trees are delicious! Beavers may love to chew on trees, but what else do you know about this really awesome animal? In this fun-filled program you can dress like a beaver, learn how they live in the water, and discover how this rodent is one of the few wild animals able to change the environment to suit them! |
Creature Features |
P |
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What kinds of wild creatures live in Minnesota? What noises do they make? Why are some of these creatures so hard to see? What special features do they have? Find out the answers in this wild and crazy program! We'll hear an animal story, be able to pet different animal furs, play a critter game and take home a really wild animal craft! |
Eco-Crafting* |
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P |
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Just because its winter doesn't mean we can't bring a little of the outdoors into our crafts! Join a PEBC naturalist and try your hand at snow candles, goodie garlands for the birds and other fun projects. This can get messy, so wear clothes that can get a little dirty! (Note: extra $1.50/participant supply charge applies) |
Groundhog Gurus |
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P |
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They say the groundhog has a magical gift and can tell us when spring will be here. Could this really be true or is it just a silly story? Also known as the woodchuck, this furry animal indeed has many talents. Come find out what they are as we do games and activities. Plus, we’ll discover if the groundhog really can predict the coming of spring! |
Growing Up As A Bird |
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P |
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Imagine you just hatched out of an egg and you are in a nest high up in a tree. You chirp because you are hungry and your Mom appears with a tasty worm for breakfast. Yumm! Mom picks up your poop sac and dumps it out of your house and then sits on you to keep you warm. Sound like fun? It might be – if you’re a bird. Growing up as a bird isn’t always easy and you have lots of things to learn. Join a PEBC naturalist as we learn how to walk, talk, flap and eat like a bird! |
Canine Cousins |
P |
P |
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Who barks, growls, yipps and howls? Its not just your dog at home, either! We’ll have a K-9 adventure learning about wolves, coyotes and foxes. Bring your voice and your sniffer for a howling and smelling competition! We’ll make a doggy craft to take home to tell your “tail.” |
M.A.D. for Winter |
P |
The flying Vs start heading south. Mammals are changing their fur coats. Squirrels are scavenging and caching nuts. We know that winter and its blustery weather is not far behind. But not all animals fly south or get thick fur to survive our coldest season. Join a PEBC naturalist to learn about the remarkable preparations animals make for winter and the ingenious ways animal bodies work to keep themselves warm! | ||
Oh, Knots!* |
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We may not like knots in our kite strings or knots in shoelaces, but some knots are very handy to have! |
Penguins On Parade |
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Join us and discover the wonderful world of penguins! Experience first-hand how their feathers and blubber keeps them warm in their frosty world. We will have fun with activities like the Penguin Waddle Race, the Penguin Slide and more! Even better, you get to make your very own penguin to take home! |
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Really Wild Animals |
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What kinds of wild animals live in Minnesota? What noises do they make? How do they find food? Where |
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Scrambled Animals |
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Skin, skulls, scat and tracks! We’ve got pieces and parts of all sorts of Minnesota mammals and you’ll be able to help us put these animals back together again! We’ll figure out why different animals have different parts and how those parts help them to live in their specialized habitats. We’ll help you figure out the secrets to tracking animals so next time you’re outside, you can be a wildlife detective! |
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The Recycled Paper Project |
P |
Be a paper maker and after-crafter! In this fun program you will make beautiful homemade paper from old office paper saved from the trash. In addition to creating unique art pieces from homemade recycled paper, you will take it a step further by turning old cereal boxes into unusual containers for gifts, snacks and crafts and even into a wallet! | ||
The Snow Is My Home |
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Snow can be so beautiful as it floats down from the sky! To many animals that stay active throughout the winter, however, it can be a challenge. For some critters, however, the snow actually helps them to survive our coldest season! Investigate how snowflakes are formed with a PEBC Naturalist and explore the fun qualities of snow through “cool” experiments.” It will be a snow-riffic fun time! | |
Water, Water Where Did You Go? |
P |
Did you know the water you drank today may have been dinosaur pee millions of years ago? The water we
have today has been around for a long time and what a crazy journey it’s been on! Here's your chance to
become a water drop and go on an incredible journey! Where will you come from? Where will you go?
Just how much water is out there, anyway? You'll use an Enviroscape to learn how water becomes
polluted and how we can help fix it. Be warned: you might just get a little wet in this class! How? Join us and find out! |
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Weasels and Mink and Others That Stink! |
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In the animal world, there just happens to be one particular family that smells. Some of them downright stink! Weasels, mink, and even the skunks, belong to this special group of carnivores. You will learn more about these odorous critters through zany activities and games. Make sure you wear your deodorant! | ||
Winter's Sleep |
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The Minnesota winter is a cold, cold place. If only we could sleep right through itM But wait! There just may be a way to . . . . that is, if you know how to hibernate. In this program your child will learn all about Minnesota's hibernating animals through a picture book and fun activities. |
The lower elementary programs are designed for children having
completed grades K-2. |
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Program rates: $80 plus $0.555/mile mileage for locations within 60 miles of Lakefield (non-bus programs).
Program rate is $95 plus mileage for programs 60-100 miles from Lakefield. Programs with an extra ( * ) behind the title may have an extra charge apply for supplies costs for activities. Simultaneous or consecutive programs on same day will only have one mileage rate applied. Simultaneous programs not always available. (Please note, mileage rate subject to change, up or down, in response to current fuel costs at time of program.) |
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