Just for Teachers
   
The Macon County Conservation District is committed to helping teachers to provide their students with enriching educational opportunities. The District offers materials for your classrooms, destinations for field trips, and further educational opportunities for teachers.
Our Educational Guide is available to all teachers. If your school hasn't recieved one, give us a call at 217-423-7708. Call also if you would like extra copies.
Museum in a Box Teaching Kits
These interactive kits are available to educators in the Macon County Area.
The topics are:
Nature in a Box
Astronomy, Bats, Birds of Prey, Dinosaurs, Earthworms, Fossils, Frogs & Toads, Insects, Nature's Music, Prairie, Reptiles, Skeletons, Trees, Wetlands, Rhythm & Recycle and Ponds & Streams
History in a Box
Civil War Soldier, Nineteenth Century Life-ways, Native American Life-ways & Railroad Music
Storytelling Kit
Musical Insects and Trains: Chugging Along
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Wild Mammals, Insects & Spiders, Fossils, and People & Animals from Illinois' Past
The kits are correlated with the Illinois State Learning Standards and vary in appropriate grade level from PS - 5th and 5th - HS. All can be adapted to higher or lower levels. To reserve a kit for your classroom, or for more information call 217-423-7708.
Professional Development Activities
Teachers’ workshops for Continuing Professional Development Units are offered throughout the year.
 Teacher's Workshops at Rock Springs Nature Center
All workshops are sponsored by the Macon County Conservation District. Those attending can earn 4 Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs) for each. The fee for each workshop is $10. A light supper is included. Call 217-423-7708 or email mccd@maconcountyconservation.org to register. The Rock Springs Nature Center is located on the southwest edge of Decatur.
For direct notification of upcoming workshops call or email your contact information. For reservations or information call 217-423-7708 or email mccd@maconcountyconservation.org.
Educational Programming at Rock Springs Center
Awareness Hikes: K - 3rd Grades
September - mid November
April, May
These hikes emphasize sensory awareness and appreciation of nature. All hikes accentuate discovery and the wonder of the natural world.
Going Batty: K - 3rd Grades
September - mid November
Focusing on Illinois bats, this program will help children learn truth from myth about these fascinating mammals. A variety of activities will entertain and educate the students. Fee activity. State Learning Standards 12A, 1a, 1b, 12B, 1a, 1b.
Discovery Programs: 4th - 6th Grades
September - mid November
These 2 hour programs include a slide presentation, hike, and "eco" games. Five program choices include: invertebrates, vertabrates, ecology, plants, and nineteenth century farm life. Pre-trip curriculum material will be sent to the teacher. (These programs can be adapted to higher grade levels.)
Christmas for the Birds: Pre-School - Kindergarten
Late November - December
Children will learn about birds at our window on wildlife. They will also make pine cone bird feeders to hang on the trees and shrubs at the Nature Center. Fee activity. State Learning Standards 12A, 1a, 1b, 12B, 1a, 1b.
Christmas on the Prairie: First and Second Grades
Late November - December
Students will learn about Christmas of the past at Homestead Prairie Farm. Was there a Santa? Did the settlers have a Christmas tree? What kind of gifts did the boys and girls receive? Answers are supplied in this hands-on program. One hour. Fee activity. State Learning Standards 16a, 1a, 1b, 1c, 16B 1(w), 16C, 1b(us), 16D, 1(w), 16E, 1(us), 17C, 1a, 17D, 1.
Maple Syrup Time: 3rd - 5th Grades
February
Learn about maple sugaring in the past and present. Students will visit Homestead Prairie Farm for look into the past, observe a modern operation and learn about how and why trees have sap and some uses for other types of sap. Fee activity. State Learning Standards 12B, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 12C, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 13B, 2b, 2c, 2f, 3c, 3d.
Let's Rock: 2nd - 4th Grades
March
Learn the basics of rocks and minerals and their use in our everyday life. Program also includes a look at fossils and a visit to the Rock Springs "mine". Fee activity. State Learning Standards 12E, 1a, 2a, 2b.
Bethel School Days: Pre-school - 8th Grades
Late October - early November
Late April - early May
Available at Friends Creek Regional Park, Argenta, IL. Turn of the century one-room school experience in Bethel Schoolhouse. Adapted to the appropriate learning level for the group. State Learning Standards 16A, 1a, 1b, 1c, 16B, 1a(us), 1b(us), 16C, 1a(w), 16D, 2b(us), 3a(us), 3b(us), 16E, 2b(us), 3b(us).
Animals in Winter: Pre-school - 8th Grades
January - February
One to 1 1/2 hour program covering animal activity in winter. May include slide presentation. Hike to look for animal tracks and other signs that not all animals hibernate all winter. Adapted to appropriate age. State Learning Standards 12A, 1a, 1b, 12B, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b. (Spring)
Spring Awareness Hikes: Pre-School - 3rd
April - May
These hikes emphasize sensory awareness and appreciation of nature. The hikes stress a different concept for each level. All accentuate discovery and the wonder of the natural world. See grade level concepts below:
Sensory Hike Pre-School 3/4 hour in length.
Colors, shapes, touch, sounds and smells of nature will be experienced. State Learning Standards 12A, 1a,1b.
Changes - Seasons Kindergarten 3/4 to 1 hour in length.
Life is awakening for Spring after a long Winter. Kindergarten students will discover who is doing what on the trails this spring. State Learning Standards 12A, 1a, 1b.
Nature's Homes First Grade 3/4 to 1 hour in length.
Everything needs a home, a place to live. Plant and animal homes will be explored. State Learning Standards 12A, 1a, 1b 12B, 1a, 1b.
Who Eats Whom? Second - Third Grades 3/4 to 1 hour in length.
Animals in the wild must be able to find their own food. Students will have a chance to look for clues to food webs in an "outdoor food market". State Learning Standards 12A, 1a,1b, 12B, 1a,1b 12B 2a, 2b.
Meet the Trobaughs K-3rd Grades 1 hour
April - May
Learn about life in the past from stories of the Trobaugh children, then tour the 1860's house they lived in. *Limited to one class of 30 students per session. State Learning Standards 16A, 1a 1b, 16C 1b(us) 16C, 1a(w), 1b(w) 16E, 1(us) 17D, 1.
Discovery Programs 4th - 6th Grades 2 hours
April - May
These 2 hour programs include a slide presentation, hike, and "eco" games. Pre-trip curriculum material will be sent to the teacher. (These programs can be adapted to higher grade levels.)
There are three topics from which to choose:
Mother Nature's Neighborhood - Ecology and natural communities. State Learning Standards 12B, 2a, 2b 12E, 2c.
Big Green Machine - Green plants, emphasizing tree identification and wildflowers. State Learning Standards 12A, 2a 12B, 2a, 2b.
A Skeleton in Their Closet - Vertebrates, emphasizing mammals. State Learning Standards 12A, 2a 12B, 2a, 2b.
Geology - Archaeology 4th - 8th grades 2 hours April, May Available at Griswold Conservation Area, Blue Mound, IL. See program description listed under fall.
Illinois Pre-History: 5th - 8th Grades
One hour covering Illinois pre-history from Paleo to historic Native Americans and one hour of hands-on archaeology lab. *Limited to one class. Fee Activity. State Learning Standards - 13A, 2c, 3c, 4c 13B, 2a, 2c 16A, 3c 16B, 3d(w) 16C, 3b(w) 17C, 2b, 2c, 3a 17D, 2b.
Exploring the Universe: 3rd - College
This program can be tailored to grades 3 to adults. Slide presentation and handouts take participants on a tour of the universe. Greek and Native American legends add to the program. Stargazing provides a highlight to the event. Projects or crafts are available. Fee activity. State Learning Standards 12F, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 5a 13A, 4c 13B, 2b, 3b, 3c.
Tour of Homestead Prairie Farm: 3rd - College
Tour of 1860's farm house and dooryard lead by interpreters in clothing of the period. State Learning Standards 15A, 2b 15B, 2b 15C, 21, 2b 16A, 3c 16B, 4(us) 5b(us) 16C, 2b, 2c, 3b, 4a(us), 4b(us), 5b(us) 16D, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 5(us) 16E, 2a(us), 2b(us), 2c(us), eb(us) 3c(us), 4b(us), 5a(w) 17B, 2a, 2b, 3b 17C, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c 17D, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4 18C, 2.
Program Fees
School Programs
Awareness Hikes
Bethel School Days
Meet The Trobaughs, Animals in Winter
Tour of Homestead Prairie Farm
Macon County Schools - $ .50/student
Out of County - $ 1.00/student
Discovery Programs
Macon County Schools - $ .50/student
Out of County - $1.50/student
Illinois Pre-history
Archaeology-Geology, Birds of a Feather
Exploring the Universe, Ponds and Wetlands
Going Batty, Let's Rock
Macon County Schools - $ 1.00/student
Out of County - $1.50/student
Christmas for the Birds
Christmas on the Farm
Maple Syrup Time
Macon County Schools - $1.50/student
Out of County - $2.00/student
Field Classes
Specialized Programs
Fee contingent upon type of activity and length.
At Rock Springs Center
Macon County Schools - $1.00/student
Out of County - $1.50/student
Special Presentations
Mobile Nature Center in-class presentations
Macon County Schools - $30/class, $25/each additional class that day.
Out of County - $35/class, $30/each additional class that day + $.30/mile round trip.
Add $10 for over 100 mile round trip.
Special Presentations at Rock Springs Center
Macon County Schools - $1.00/student
Out of County - $1.50/student
Museum In A Box
Macon County Schools - $5/2 weeks, $2/day overdue charge.
Out of County Schools - $10/2 weeks, $2/day overdue charge
Mobile Nature Center
Filled with puppets, puzzles, games, books, binoculars, microscopes, craft supplies, pelts, skulls and more; the Mobile Nature Center can come to your school, or group meeting place. Ideal for outdoor events, science fairs, scout and community activities. Naturalists will be available to make presentation and/or engage participants in hands-on activities.
Macon County Groups -
Science Fairs, Outdoor Events, etc. - $30/hour for the first hour, $25/each additional hour.
Out of County Groups -
Science Fairs, Outdoor Events, etc. - $35/hour for the first hour, $30/each additional hour plus $.30/mile roundtrip.
Add $10 for over 100 mile round trip.
Star Lab Facilitation
Macon County Schools - $100/ day
Out of County Schools - $125/day
+ $.30/mile roundtrip.
Add $10 for over 100 mile round trip.
Telescopes & Astronomy Demonstration
Macon County Schools - $30/class, $25/each additional class that day.
Out of County - $35/class, $30/each additional class that day + $.30/mile round trip.
Add $10 for over 100 mile round trip.
*NOTE - Some presentations are by Macon County Conservation District Volunteers. Out of county availability varies.
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