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Think Wild offers a growing collection of wildlife and conservation programs for K-5 students; many of which align with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Themes in our education programs include wildlife rehabilitation, native pollinators and habitat restoration, animal adaptations, exploring Central Oregon habitat types, and more. We are also happy to work with you to create customized lessons that fit your curriculum.
Learn more about our offerings below.
Grades K-2
Activity Options:
- Explore Animal Enrichment - Learn about wild animal instincts and exercise while in captivity and create enrichment for a patient or a pet
- Rehabilitator For a Day - Brainstorm how to treat a wildlife “patients” and identify causes of injury
- Window Strike Prevention - Discover types of human/wildlife conflict and create window decals to prevent avian window strikes
- Make Your Own Bird Feeder - Explore how to responsibly offer and place bird feeders, and make an all-natural bird feeder to take home
Activity Options:
- Flower Dissection - Learn about the process of pollination through detailed dissections exploring flower structure and function
- Planting for Pollinators* - Plant and care for native flowering plants in the Think Wild garden and explore plant relationships with native pollinators *Available seasonally, please inquire
- Pollinator Garden Survey & Food Web* - Make a journal and practice making detailed observations to understand the diverse community in a pollinator garden
- Project Re-Wild (coming soon)* - Gain hands-on experience restoring and monitoring Central Oregon landscapes to support wildlife
Activity Options:
- Habitat Murals - Compare and contrast Central Oregon habitats by creating interpretive habitat murals
- Write a Habitat Story - Create, design and illustrate a short story that is set in a Central Oregon habitat
- Habitat Scavenger Hunt - Identify the habitat type we’re in by observing and collecting natural evidence
- Project Re-Wild (coming soon)* - Gain hands-on experience restoring and monitoring Central Oregon landscapes to support wildlife
Activity Options:
- Owl Pellet Dissection - Discover unique raptor adaptations by dissecting owl pellets and piecing together prey skeletons
- Bird Beaks - Test different specialized “bird beaks” in food gathering challenges to compare and contrast effectiveness in different foraging scenarios
- Feather Study - Observe and compare bird feathers and hypothesize their use and importance
- Squirrel & Nut Game - Experience resource competition dynamics though an interactive foraging game
Activity options including the * symbol indicate that the activity is only available at the Think Wild campus. All other activities can be facilitated across multiple locations.
Grades 3-5
Activity Options:
- All About Science & Science Experiments - Learn the processes scientists use to discover new knowledge and put them into practice by conducting experiments
- Q & A with Think Wild Wildlife Scientists* - Discover careers in wildlife biology by learning from Think Wild staff and wildlife professionals
- Rehabilitator For a Day - Brainstorm how to treat a wildlife “patients” and identify causes of injury
- Explore Animal Enrichment - Learn about wild animal instincts and exercise while in captivity and create enrichment for a patient or a pet
Activity Options:
- Smell, Listen and See: Journaling in the Pollinator Garden* - Create a journal and practice making observations in the pollinator garden
- Central Oregon Pollinators & Pollinator Crafts - Explore the diversity of pollinators in Central Oregon and participate in a themed craft
- Planting for Pollinators* - Learn how to plant and care for native flowering plants in the Think Wild garden *Available seasonally, please inquire
- Exploring Pollination - Describe the process of pollination and learn how pollinators interact with their environment
Activity Options:
- Habitat Murals - Compare and contrast Central Oregon habitats by creating interpretive habitat murals
- Write a Habitat Story - Create, design and illustrate a short story that is set in a Central Oregon habitat
- Habitat Scavenger Hunt - Identify the habitat type we’re in by observing and collecting natural evidence
Activity Options:
- Bird Beaks - Test different specialized “bird beaks” in food gathering challenges to compare and contrast effectiveness in different scenarios
- Feather Study - Observe and compare bird feathers and hypothesize their use and importance
- Wildlife Charades - Study and mimic specialized animal adaptations in this fun traditional game!
- Create Your Own Wild Animal - Create a new Central Oregon wildlife species and brainstorm what adaptations it will need to survive in its environment