Field Trips
Since its beginnings in 1994, the Prairie Ecology Bus Center (PEBC) has been connecting youth across the region to the outdoors through innovative, hands-on experiences with the Ecology Bus, our mobile environmental learning classroom. As our world changes and becomes more technology-focused, now more than ever - today’s youth need opportunities to make a connection to the outside, natural world that sustains them. While technology can help us to understand our environment, nothing can replace the inherent benefits that come with exploring a prairie, investigating a wetland, discovering the richness of soils while engaging all our senses to understand the essence of nature -- and its importance in our lives.
Ecology Bus programs are hands-on, outdoor classes held at natural areas near the participating school. Students use scientific equipment and their observation skills to learn about the natural wonders of their "backyard." These programs are designed to run 2.5-3 hours, including travel time. Upon request, we can offer longer or shorter programs. Most classes require some kind of natural area to work in. Details of programs will vary with the site, season, and age of participants.
Topics are chosen by the group leaders/teachers and sites used for the field trip are based on topics picked. Generally the field site locations are within 10-15 miles of the pickup location. The Ecology Bus comes equipped with all necessary program supplies participants just need to be prepared for the weather and outdoor activities. Lessons begin while traveling to the program site and wrap up on the return trip so as to make efficient use of time available! Ecology Bus programs are available year-round with heaviest programming taking place April, May, September and October. Groups interested in spring or fall field trips are encouraged to call early to reserve your preferred dates. Programs available for grades K-12.
Ecology Bus programs are hands-on, outdoor classes held at natural areas near the participating school. Students use scientific equipment and their observation skills to learn about the natural wonders of their "backyard." These programs are designed to run 2.5-3 hours, including travel time. Upon request, we can offer longer or shorter programs. Most classes require some kind of natural area to work in. Details of programs will vary with the site, season, and age of participants.
Topics are chosen by the group leaders/teachers and sites used for the field trip are based on topics picked. Generally the field site locations are within 10-15 miles of the pickup location. The Ecology Bus comes equipped with all necessary program supplies participants just need to be prepared for the weather and outdoor activities. Lessons begin while traveling to the program site and wrap up on the return trip so as to make efficient use of time available! Ecology Bus programs are available year-round with heaviest programming taking place April, May, September and October. Groups interested in spring or fall field trips are encouraged to call early to reserve your preferred dates. Programs available for grades K-12.
ECOLOGY PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
Programs align to the Minnesota science standards and are tailored to the needs of the teachers and schools. Please contact Alisha Paplow at 507-662-5064 or [email protected] with questions or to schedule a program.
AQUATICS
Water Quality (Grades 4th-12th)
Become an aquatic scientist for a day! Find out what “water quality” means and how we measure it? Use observation skills, testing tools, chemical kits and biological indicators to assess the water quality of a lake or stream near you. Rubber boots and tools provided for in-person programs. (Requires a pond, lake or stream with safe student access.)
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Wetland Ecology (Grades 4th-12th)
Slosh through a wetland to unearth its many secret roles, such as water purifier, flood preventer, erosion controller, pollution buster, and more! Students grasp what makes a wetland a wetland through their unique combination of water, soils and plants. Plus they will discover what animals thrive in this wet and muddy habitat. Rubber boots and tools provided. Meets standard: 5L.1.2.1.4, 5P.3.1.1.2
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Stream and Lake Ecology (Grades 4th-12th)
Discover the life in and around your local streams and lakes by mapping, searching for animals and their signs, using aquatic dip nets, and more! Participants will learn about food chains in this ecosystem and how aquatic insects play an important role in this ecosystem. Rubber boots and tools provided. (Requires a lake or stream with safe student access.)
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
FORESTS
Forest Ecology (Grades K-12th)
Uncover the mysterious methods plants have for growing and making their own food. Find out just what is really going on inside a tree and discover how forest plants and animals are interconnected. Older students will be challenged to estimate tree height and ages without cutting down a tree and using simple field equipment. Meets standard: 3L.1.2.1.2
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Forest Wildlife (Grades K-5th)
Become a forest detective to discover what animals are living nearby in the trees! Identify animals by the tracks, trails, scat, bite marks, and homes they leave behind and uncover the stories they tell us. Learn how the smallest of the forest creatures are connected with the biggest. Participants will explore a nearby forest area using all their senses as they search for our neighbors in the trees!
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Weird Wildlife (Grades K-5th)
Become a forest detective to discover what animals are living nearby in the trees! Identify animals by the tracks, trails, scat, bite marks and homes they leave behind and uncover the stories they tell us. Learn how the smallest forest creatures are connected with the biggest. Participants will explore a nearby forested area, using all their senses to search for our neighbors in the trees!
Available as an in-person program on school grounds
EARTH SCIENCE
Soils: The Dirt on Dirt (Grades 3rd-8th) Is all dirt the same? Not at all! Unearth differences in soil types and how the soil was formed. Students take part in a soil play production, use scientific tools to take core soil samples, set up a soil experiment, investigate living and non-living components of soil, and learn how soil properties affect water movement and plant growth, as well as what that means for farmers in SW Minnesota. This program can be adapted for younger audiences.
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
OTHER
NEW! Adaptations (Grades 3rd-5th)
All plants and animals have physical and behavioral adaptations that allow them to thrive in their environment. Students will learn how organisms adapt and discover what adaptations help Minnesota species survive in a fun guessing game. Available as a standalone program or as part of the three part ecology series. Meets standard: 3L.3.1.1.2, 3L.3.2.1.1
Available as an Ecology Bus or in-person program on school grounds
Avian Adventure (Bird Ecology) (Grades 3rd-12th)
Our feathered friends are as varied as the environments in which they live. Discover what makes the bird such a unique animal and the adaptations that enable them to live in Minnesota. Participants will learn common bird calls and identifying characteristics to recognize them in the field. Using binoculars and newly acquired skills, participants will take a bird trek in search of our feathered neighbors.
Available as an Ecology Bus or in-person program on school grounds
Insects & Other Things That Bug Us (Grades K-5th)
Discover the amazing variety in the insect world and learn what makes an insect an insect. We'll go on an insect safari to capture these awesome creatures, see them at different life stages, and learn to classify them to family groups while studying their unique characteristics. Meets standards: 1L.1.1.1.1
Available as an Ecology Bus or in-person program on school grounds
NEW! Reptiles and Amphibians (Grades K-5th) Meet our popular animal ambassadors and learn what makes them unique. Younger groups will learn about each species and what traits they have that allow them to survive in Minnesota. Older groups will get additional information on animal behavior and training. Our ambassador team includes: native turtles, an invasive turtle and a tiger salamander.
Available as an in-person program on school grounds
NEW! Seed Science (Grades K-4th)
How do the smallest seeds grow into the tallest trees? Students will dissect a seed to see its different parts and learn about dispersal methods before designing their own seed to disperse. Meets standard: 2L.3.2.2.1
Available as an in-person program on school grounds
NEW! What's in an Ecosystem? (Grades K-2)
Ecosystems are communities of living and non-living parts. Some ecosystems are perfect for a species- like a beaver in a wetland but others aren't right. Students will learn specifically about the wetland ecosystem and how the water there helps the species present thrive. Students will then evaluate the ecosystem they are standing in and decide what lives there. Meets standards: 2L.4.1.1.1, 2E.4.2.1.1
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Introduction to Microscopes (Grades 4th-8th)
Microscopes are truly spectacular tools - they open up a whole new world in front of our eyes! Working in pairs with their own microscopes, students will learn the basics of the micro-world, from the parts of a microscope to view prepared slides. Participants will have the opportunity to collect samples from nature and create their own slide mounts for study and diagramming. Anything is fair game, from bug guts to feathers, soil to plant parts and more - as long as it can fit under the microscope lens!
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Introduction to Cell Biology (Grades 6th-8th)
Cells are the building blocks of life, but they become more interesting when we take a look up close. Students will work in pairs with their own microscopes to view and document animal and plant cells and observe how they are alike and different. Through various activities, students will learn what parts make up the cell and just how complicated these tiny foundations of life can be!
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Nature Interpretation Through Art (Grades 3rd-8th)
Explore the realms of nature with a different eye–an artist's eye! Students will learn techniques for observing their surroundings and hike in the outdoors to select their artists' tools. Using what nature provides, students utilize their “tools” collected to create painted works of art. Since we work with paint, students should wear “paint” clothes and expect to return a bit more colorful!
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
WINTER SEASON ONLY
Winter Animal Adaptations (Grades 3rd-12th)
Winter is an awesome time to explore the outdoors. If you're dressed well and prepared for colder temperatures, spending time outside is a terrific experience and rather fun! Students will learn first-hand how animals cope with sub-zero temperatures and do quite well in winter months. Simulations and experiments will teach students how animals are physically and behaviorally adapted for Minnesota winters. Students will observe which animals are active during winter months and learn what clues to look for if the critters aren’t present at the time. If sufficient snow is on the ground, we'll conduct the class via snowshoes.
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Winter Birding (Grades 3rd-12th)
Not all birds have flown south for the winter! How do birds survive the cold and snow? Where do they hang out? How can we attract them to our yards and school grounds? Learn how birds make a living during our crisp winters and how to identify these winter neighbors on a hike. Students will learn how to bird by sight and by ear, and discover what clues we can find that tell us who is in the neighborhood!
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
PRAIRIES
Prairie Ecology (Grades K-12th)
Participants will explore prairie plants using various senses to better understand their unique adaptations. Searching for and identifying prairie animals and their signs will help students determine how both plants and animals have adapted to this hot, dry environment. Walking shoes and long pants are strongly recommended for this class.
** Note: This program is best conducted in the summer or fall as these two seasons are optimal when working with prairie plants.
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Prairie Plants (Grades 4th-12th)
Discover the rich world of textures, patterns, and smells in the prairie landscape. Prairies can be harsh environments with recurring fires and hot, dry, windy weather, but through this harshness you will find plants surviving and thriving. Learn how their diverse life forms and habits make them well-suited to the prairie environment and how they built the rich soil we depend upon today!
** Note: This program is best conducted in the summer or fall as these two seasons are optimal when working with prairie plants.
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Programs align to the Minnesota science standards and are tailored to the needs of the teachers and schools. Please contact Alisha Paplow at 507-662-5064 or [email protected] with questions or to schedule a program.
AQUATICS
Water Quality (Grades 4th-12th)
Become an aquatic scientist for a day! Find out what “water quality” means and how we measure it? Use observation skills, testing tools, chemical kits and biological indicators to assess the water quality of a lake or stream near you. Rubber boots and tools provided for in-person programs. (Requires a pond, lake or stream with safe student access.)
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Wetland Ecology (Grades 4th-12th)
Slosh through a wetland to unearth its many secret roles, such as water purifier, flood preventer, erosion controller, pollution buster, and more! Students grasp what makes a wetland a wetland through their unique combination of water, soils and plants. Plus they will discover what animals thrive in this wet and muddy habitat. Rubber boots and tools provided. Meets standard: 5L.1.2.1.4, 5P.3.1.1.2
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Stream and Lake Ecology (Grades 4th-12th)
Discover the life in and around your local streams and lakes by mapping, searching for animals and their signs, using aquatic dip nets, and more! Participants will learn about food chains in this ecosystem and how aquatic insects play an important role in this ecosystem. Rubber boots and tools provided. (Requires a lake or stream with safe student access.)
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
FORESTS
Forest Ecology (Grades K-12th)
Uncover the mysterious methods plants have for growing and making their own food. Find out just what is really going on inside a tree and discover how forest plants and animals are interconnected. Older students will be challenged to estimate tree height and ages without cutting down a tree and using simple field equipment. Meets standard: 3L.1.2.1.2
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Forest Wildlife (Grades K-5th)
Become a forest detective to discover what animals are living nearby in the trees! Identify animals by the tracks, trails, scat, bite marks, and homes they leave behind and uncover the stories they tell us. Learn how the smallest of the forest creatures are connected with the biggest. Participants will explore a nearby forest area using all their senses as they search for our neighbors in the trees!
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Weird Wildlife (Grades K-5th)
Become a forest detective to discover what animals are living nearby in the trees! Identify animals by the tracks, trails, scat, bite marks and homes they leave behind and uncover the stories they tell us. Learn how the smallest forest creatures are connected with the biggest. Participants will explore a nearby forested area, using all their senses to search for our neighbors in the trees!
Available as an in-person program on school grounds
EARTH SCIENCE
Soils: The Dirt on Dirt (Grades 3rd-8th) Is all dirt the same? Not at all! Unearth differences in soil types and how the soil was formed. Students take part in a soil play production, use scientific tools to take core soil samples, set up a soil experiment, investigate living and non-living components of soil, and learn how soil properties affect water movement and plant growth, as well as what that means for farmers in SW Minnesota. This program can be adapted for younger audiences.
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
OTHER
NEW! Adaptations (Grades 3rd-5th)
All plants and animals have physical and behavioral adaptations that allow them to thrive in their environment. Students will learn how organisms adapt and discover what adaptations help Minnesota species survive in a fun guessing game. Available as a standalone program or as part of the three part ecology series. Meets standard: 3L.3.1.1.2, 3L.3.2.1.1
Available as an Ecology Bus or in-person program on school grounds
Avian Adventure (Bird Ecology) (Grades 3rd-12th)
Our feathered friends are as varied as the environments in which they live. Discover what makes the bird such a unique animal and the adaptations that enable them to live in Minnesota. Participants will learn common bird calls and identifying characteristics to recognize them in the field. Using binoculars and newly acquired skills, participants will take a bird trek in search of our feathered neighbors.
Available as an Ecology Bus or in-person program on school grounds
Insects & Other Things That Bug Us (Grades K-5th)
Discover the amazing variety in the insect world and learn what makes an insect an insect. We'll go on an insect safari to capture these awesome creatures, see them at different life stages, and learn to classify them to family groups while studying their unique characteristics. Meets standards: 1L.1.1.1.1
Available as an Ecology Bus or in-person program on school grounds
NEW! Reptiles and Amphibians (Grades K-5th) Meet our popular animal ambassadors and learn what makes them unique. Younger groups will learn about each species and what traits they have that allow them to survive in Minnesota. Older groups will get additional information on animal behavior and training. Our ambassador team includes: native turtles, an invasive turtle and a tiger salamander.
Available as an in-person program on school grounds
NEW! Seed Science (Grades K-4th)
How do the smallest seeds grow into the tallest trees? Students will dissect a seed to see its different parts and learn about dispersal methods before designing their own seed to disperse. Meets standard: 2L.3.2.2.1
Available as an in-person program on school grounds
NEW! What's in an Ecosystem? (Grades K-2)
Ecosystems are communities of living and non-living parts. Some ecosystems are perfect for a species- like a beaver in a wetland but others aren't right. Students will learn specifically about the wetland ecosystem and how the water there helps the species present thrive. Students will then evaluate the ecosystem they are standing in and decide what lives there. Meets standards: 2L.4.1.1.1, 2E.4.2.1.1
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Introduction to Microscopes (Grades 4th-8th)
Microscopes are truly spectacular tools - they open up a whole new world in front of our eyes! Working in pairs with their own microscopes, students will learn the basics of the micro-world, from the parts of a microscope to view prepared slides. Participants will have the opportunity to collect samples from nature and create their own slide mounts for study and diagramming. Anything is fair game, from bug guts to feathers, soil to plant parts and more - as long as it can fit under the microscope lens!
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Introduction to Cell Biology (Grades 6th-8th)
Cells are the building blocks of life, but they become more interesting when we take a look up close. Students will work in pairs with their own microscopes to view and document animal and plant cells and observe how they are alike and different. Through various activities, students will learn what parts make up the cell and just how complicated these tiny foundations of life can be!
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Nature Interpretation Through Art (Grades 3rd-8th)
Explore the realms of nature with a different eye–an artist's eye! Students will learn techniques for observing their surroundings and hike in the outdoors to select their artists' tools. Using what nature provides, students utilize their “tools” collected to create painted works of art. Since we work with paint, students should wear “paint” clothes and expect to return a bit more colorful!
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
WINTER SEASON ONLY
Winter Animal Adaptations (Grades 3rd-12th)
Winter is an awesome time to explore the outdoors. If you're dressed well and prepared for colder temperatures, spending time outside is a terrific experience and rather fun! Students will learn first-hand how animals cope with sub-zero temperatures and do quite well in winter months. Simulations and experiments will teach students how animals are physically and behaviorally adapted for Minnesota winters. Students will observe which animals are active during winter months and learn what clues to look for if the critters aren’t present at the time. If sufficient snow is on the ground, we'll conduct the class via snowshoes.
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Winter Birding (Grades 3rd-12th)
Not all birds have flown south for the winter! How do birds survive the cold and snow? Where do they hang out? How can we attract them to our yards and school grounds? Learn how birds make a living during our crisp winters and how to identify these winter neighbors on a hike. Students will learn how to bird by sight and by ear, and discover what clues we can find that tell us who is in the neighborhood!
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
PRAIRIES
Prairie Ecology (Grades K-12th)
Participants will explore prairie plants using various senses to better understand their unique adaptations. Searching for and identifying prairie animals and their signs will help students determine how both plants and animals have adapted to this hot, dry environment. Walking shoes and long pants are strongly recommended for this class.
** Note: This program is best conducted in the summer or fall as these two seasons are optimal when working with prairie plants.
Available as an Ecology Bus program only
Prairie Plants (Grades 4th-12th)
Discover the rich world of textures, patterns, and smells in the prairie landscape. Prairies can be harsh environments with recurring fires and hot, dry, windy weather, but through this harshness you will find plants surviving and thriving. Learn how their diverse life forms and habits make them well-suited to the prairie environment and how they built the rich soil we depend upon today!
** Note: This program is best conducted in the summer or fall as these two seasons are optimal when working with prairie plants.
Available as an Ecology Bus program only