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City of Lincoln
Parks and Recreation - Outdoor Education & Greenways

School Program Descriptions

Outdoor Programs

Transportation
LPS has designated a bus for the Nature Center. It is the teacher's responsibility to call the transportation office at 436-1073 to schedule the bus.

Group size

  • Classes are divided into groups of 8 to 12 students.
  • Please provide an adult for each group.

    Program length

  • is usually 1 1/2 hours and must end when scheduled.

  • Bird Banding Demonstrations and Indoor Animal Time can be requested.
    Ask if these are appropriate to the hike chosen.

  • Program curriculum and specially requested concepts will be covered by all groups. However, because individual group experiences may differ, a period of sharing after returning to the classroom is suggested.

  • Grade level guidelines are somewhat flexible. Please inquire when you register.

  • Ask students to dress for active participation and the weather.

  • Consider a winter visit to the Nature Center; the season can be a special time to view wildlife and landscapes.

  • Hikes topics not listed here may be requested when you reserve your time.

  • Alternate hike sites include Pioneers Prairie, Nine Mile Prairie, Wilderness Park, and Arbor Lake. These sites do not have shelter or restroom facilities.

    Outdoor Programs – Grades Kindergarten (Kg) - 2

  • Five Senses Hike (Kg)

    Fragrances in the herb garden, the texture of a snake skin or bison fur, and the sounds of birds and wind are just a few of the experiences that may be encountered on this hike. Students use their five senses as tools for exploring nature and learn that taste and touch must be used with care.

  • Nature’s Changing Seasons (Kg)

    This hike focuses on seasonal weather changes and the corresponding changes in animals and plants. Topics include migration, hibernation, reproduction, and adaptation.

  • Green is Everywhere (Kg)

    Children will explore a variety of plants, discovering their importance to our world, learning their basic parts and what they need to grow, and noticing their diversity of size, shape, flowers, and seeds.

  • Animals and Their Habitats (1st)

    Pioneers Park Nature Center is a home for many animals. While exploring animal trails, teacher/naturalists encourage students to make connections between the animals, plants, and the landscape.

  • Life Cycles (2nd)

    Children will review the basic parts of both plants and insects, and explore their various life cycles through discovery and activities.

  • Discovery Tour

    Native animals and plants of our own region are the focus of this hike through various habitats. Students will improve their skills of observation and identify some of the many ways that things in nature are interrelated.

  • Natural Communities

    A natural community is composed of plants and animals that live in the same area, interact with one another, and depend on one another. On a hike to various parts of the Nature Center, students will investigate and compare a variety of natural communities.

  • Animal and Plant Adaptations

    On this hike, students learn how different sizes, shapes, colors, and body parts enable specific kinds of animals and plants to survive the weather conditions of our area.

    Outdoor Programs – Grades 4 - 5

  • Prairie (4th)

    Explore a prairie community first-hand when you visit one of our prairies. Discussions examine characteristics that enable prairie animals and plants to withstand harsh weather conditions and some of the ways that these animals and plants interrelate. Included are stories and activities about the natural and human history of the prairie region. Long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended.

  • Wetlands (5th)

    Students will visit pond, stream, and wetland environments. They will use dip nets, hand lenses, and magiscopes to explore the tiny creatures of the underwater world. Aquatic animal identification, animal adaptations, food chain relationships and the importance of wetlands will be discussed. Be prepared to get wet and muddy.

  • In-depth Prairie and Wetlands

    All day programs     allow students to explore prairies or wetlands more fully. Activities include a half day of field study and a half day rotating between stations. Teachers can be included in planning and will lead some stations so individual class goals can be achieved. Students need to bring lunches and drinks and should be encouraged to dress appropriately.

    Outdoor Programs – Grades 2 – 5

  • Trees are Terrific

    Suppose you invented a machine that runs on the energy of the sun, manufactures its own food, can split a rock, support tons of weight, and cleanse the air. What could it be? By exploring the many wonders of a tree students will discover the parts of a tree, its processes, usefulness, and beauty as they hike in the woods.

  • Incredible Insects

    There are more kinds of insects than all other animals put together. Students will experience some of this diversity as well as explore characteristics, life cycles, and habitat requirements of both insects and spiders.

  • Birds, Birds, Birds

    Observing wild birds in their natural habitats heightens students’ awareness and appreciation of birds. Examining bird nests, feathers, bones, beaks, and feet at close range helps students understand bird lifestyles and behavior. This hike includes a visit to the bird banding station, if available.

    Outreach Programs for Your Classroom

    Wild Puppets

  • All outreach programs are limited to the Lincoln area

  • Wild Puppet programs are designed for kindergarten, first, and second grades and can be scheduled between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.

  • Total program length is 45 to 60 minutes. Teachers may choose between two short puppet shows or one long one. Short shows run approximately 10 minutes and long ones 20 to 25. The remaining time is spent in discussion of concepts, related activities, and hands-on experiences.

  • To most efficiently use staff time and fuel, we ask that teachers coordinate puppet show requests to that we can schedule multiple classrooms in a school on the same day.

  • Group size may not exceed 40 students.

  • Call 441-7895 to schedule your puppet show.

    Have Seeds Will Travel (Kg - Short)

    Students will meet a variety of plants and their seeds, discovering various ways that seeds travel, and their growth requirements.

    Flying Feathers (Kg - Short)

    Join our robin and blue jay as they discuss seasonal changes and reasons for migration.

    Habitats (1st - Long)

    Follow various kinds of animals as they discover the habitat that suits them best.

    Mammals Have Fur, Birds Have Feathers (1st - Short)

    Bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, insect, and spider puppets discuss why they belong to their particular animal group and explore their similarities and differences.

    Life Cycles (2nd - Short)

    Explore the life cycles of insects and plants and the importance of their body parts.

    Garbology (2nd - Long)

    Common backyard animals discover the importance of the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) for keeping their habitats healthy.

    Other puppet shows are available upon request. Those listed below are not designed specifically to meet grade curriculum requirements but include many concepts that support them. All are short shows except Endangered Species.

    Defenses and Threats (animal adaptations)

    Insects in Winter

    Snug in the Snow (mammal survival strategies)

    Rotting Log (natural communities)

    Life in a Field (natural communities)

    Home on the Range (prairie habitat: most suitable for 2nd graders)

    Endangered Species (most suitable for 2nd graders) (long)

    Outreach Programs for Your Classroom

    Traveling Naturalist

  • These programs are designed for third and fourth grades but can be adapted to any grade level. Special topics may be requested.

  • Programs last 45 minutes to one hour.

  • Because of the hands-on nature of the programs, group size may not exceed a single classroom (approximately 25 students).

  • Call 441-7895 to schedule your Traveling Naturalist program.

    Insectigations

    Here is a chance to carefully observe live insects. Your class will untangle clues and draw their own conclusions about the movements, parts, and life cycles of these critters.

    Reptiles to Go

    Are you studying snakes or turtles? We will slither our way to your school with hands-on experiences and live animals for your students to explore.

    Beaks, Bones, and Birds

    Did you ever wonder why many birds have three toes facing front and one behind? Let your students discover answers to this question and many more while examining a live bird and hands-on materials for this exploration of bird adaptations.

    Other Programs of Interest

    Science Nights

    The Nature Center Auditorium is a great place to hold your school’s science fair. We’ll work with you to create a unique experience for your students. We can provide live animals and naturalist-led hikes as well as experiments and crafts. Call 441-7895 for more information, fees, and reservations.

    Hayrack Rides

    Fall means crisp evenings and harvest moons. We can provide a hayrack ride, campfire program, and other night time activities which might include a constellation talk or owl program. Call for rates and available dates.

    Hyde Observatory

    Programs for groups of twenty or more may be arranged for Monday through Thursday nights at the Hyde Memorial Observatory in Holmes Park. Reservations are made through Pioneers Park Nature Center at least two weeks in advance and depend on the availability of a volunteer. Free of charge. Children should be second grade or older.

    Nature Center School Programs