There are a variety of animal families in Missouri. The differences between them make each family unique. Hands-on interactive activities in this program will highlight those characteristics. Students will also have a chance to get up close and personal with a Discovery Center animal ambassador! Missouri Learning Standards: K.PS1.A.1, 1.LS3.A.1

From seed to sapling to mighty oak, trees change through the seasons and the years. Through this hands-on interactive program, students will understand the lifecycle of a tree and will explore different ways to identify trees; from nuts to fruits to leaves and the different resources they provide. Missouri Learning Standards: K.PS1.A.1, K.LS1.C.1, K.ESS1.B.1, K.ESS2.E.1, K.ESS3.A.1, 1.LS3.A.1, 1.ETS1.A.1,1.ETS1.B.1, 2.ETS1.A.1, 2.ETS1.B1

Owls are a unique nocturnal bird. Through hands-on activities, students will learn about owls and the specialized structures they use for survival. Students will become wildlife biologists as they dissect and examine regurgitated sanitized owl pellets, discovering the diet of this predaceous raptor! Missouri Learning Standards: 3.LS3.B.1, 3.LS3.C.1, 4.LS1.A.1, 5.PS3.D.1

Seasonal changes affect the behavior of plants and animals, including people. Winter is one of the most stressful times of the year for most organisms and where we see the most adaptations. Students will participate in activities to learn how plants and animals survive during these major changes and why organisms behave the way that they do in their specific ecosystem. Missouri Learning Standards: 3.LS3.B.1, 3.LS3.C.1, 3.LS3.D.1, 4.LS1.A.1, 5.LS1.A.1, 5.LS2.B.1, 5.ESS1.B.1

Missouri is at the crossroads of North America where forests of the east meet grasslands of the Great Plains. Three great rivers meet to make our state’s borders while ancient mountains, lowland swamps, cold water springs, caves and rocky glades make up the interior. Missouri can also be divided into landscape regions based on rocks, soils and topography. Students will explore the state by creating their own paper map of Missouri — complete with the landscape regions, associated ecosystems and plants and animals uniquely adapted to each area. Missouri Learning Standards: 3.LS3.C.1, 3.LS3.D.1, 4.LS1.A.1

From seed to sapling to shade, trees change through the seasons and the years. Through live outdoor visuals explore life stages and parts of a tree. Students will learn trees are a living thing, providing much to the world; mimic the lifecycle through movement; and create a tree through a guided project that can be expanded on afterwards. Program concludes with a virtual question and answer with a naturalist and an animal ambassador that uses trees. Missouri Learning Standards: K.PS1.A.1, K.LS1.C.1, K.ESS1.B.1, K.ESS2.E.1

Owls are without a doubt some of the most fascinating raptors in Missouri! This Naturalist led program will focus on the specialized structures and behavioral adaptations that make these regal birds a favorite to learn about. Whoooo knows, you too may learn to speak their language! It’ll be a hoot! Missouri Learning Standards: 3.LS3.B.1, 3.LS3.C.1, 4.LS1.A.1

We all live in a watershed and depend on clean water. Discover which watershed your school is in and examine how our actions shape the waterways around us. Through a watershed model demonstration, students will learn about erosion and human impacts. Students will also discover wildlife that rely on aquatic habitats for their home. Missouri Learning Standards: 6-8.LS1.B.2, 6-8.ESS3.A, 6-8.LS2.A.1, 6-8.LS2.C.1, 6-8.LS2.C.2