Virtual Programs

Learn the very basic parts of a flower.  Enjoy some of Iowa's early spring woodland wildflowers up close.    Then head outside to see what flowers you can find.  

Early Spring Woodland Wildflower ID Sheet

Iowa Plants Booklet

Parts of a Flower & Flower Parts Quiz

Added April 19, 2021

Very elementary- Signs of Spring video.  Learn some simple and easy to spot signs of spring.  How many signs of spring can you find? 

Added March 19, 2021

Learn about some of Iowa's winter animals and the tracks and sign they leave behind.  

Visit the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Website for a Iowa Wildlife Track Identification Sheet and more information on track identification.

https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/DNR-News-Releases/ArticleID/166/Go-Exploring-14-Iowa-Wildlife-Tracks-to-Look-For

https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/DNR-News-Releases/ArticleID/430/Jump-Into-Winter-Wildlife-Tracking

Added February 23, 2021

Find out how some wild animals survive an Iowa Winter.    Key vocabulary include: Adapt, Brumate, Hibernate, and Migrate.  Feathers, fur, predator, prey, and survive.

Added February 8, 2021

Join us as we investigate fossils. Learn how Iowa's history is written in its stone. Use your imagination to infer what some Iowa fossils used to be and what environment they used to be found in. Then create your own underwater seascape as you imagine life under Iowa's prehistoric seas. Links at the end of this video will direct you to additional fossil and prehistoric sea resources.

Added January 12, 2021

Geology on the Go videos explore geology in Jones County. Our first stop will be a quick glimpse of Pictured Rocks Park and the clues it holds to Iowa's prehistoric geological past.

Added January 12, 2021

This snowshoeing video is intended to be shown to youth groups or school classes prior to a snowshoeing experience with equipment provided by the Jones County Conservation Department. The basics of snowshoeing are demonstrated including what students should wear to try snowshoeing, parts of a snowshoe, brief background of snowshoes and what may have inspired people to invent snowshoes, how to put snowshoes on, and what students should checkout when exploring with snowshoes.

Added January 12, 2021

For more in-depth educational videos on the basics of seeds click on the following short video links:

• How Does a Seed Grow? (2:11)
• How Does a Seed Become a Plant? (3:46)

Added November 16, 2020

Here are some other great owl videos to watch:

• Owls for Kids (8:03)
• Great Horned Owl on the Hunt (3:20)

A fun activity sheet to learn more about owls.

Added October 30, 2020

Fun activities and worksheets on bats:

• Bat Week website
• Bat Color Sheet and Crossword Puzzle

Here are some other great bat videos to watch:

• The Truth About Bats (5:47)
•  Experience 360 - Bracken Cave (2:50)
• Echolocation Song (1:12)

Added October 27, 2020

Take a deeper look into spiders by watching more educational videos:

• Is a Spider's Web a Part of It's Mind? (4:43)

For classroom or homeschool activities:

• Spooky Spiders Activity Sheet
• Learn at Home Activities

Added October 19, 2020

For more in-depth educational videos and activities on the leaves:

• The Real Reason Leaves Change Color in the Fall (2:29)
• Fall Leaf Hunt Activity

Visit IDNR Website for current peak leaf conditions

Added October 12, 2020

For more fun activities click on the following:

• Scavenger Hunt

Join PBS Plum Landing: Squirrel for a Day (2:56)

Added October 2, 2020

Find out what those wandering woolly bear caterpillars are up to by watching more videos:

• The Myth of the Woolly Bear (4:15)

Visit the Share it! Science page on Woolly Bears.

Added September 28, 2020

Go on a fun "Signs of Fall" scavenger hunt. 

• Please note: Anyone with nut allergies should not touch or smell tree nuts in the scavenger hunt list.

Added September 18, 2020

For Ladybug ID guides, lesson plan, and activity sheets click on the following links:

• Lost Ladybug Project Website
• Activity Sheet

Added September 11, 2020

Visit the Journey North website and learn more about the magnificent Monarch Butterfly migration.

• Teacher Resource page

For videos on Monarch Tagging:

• Unraveling the Monarch Butterfly Migration Mystery (10:15)
• National Geographic GeoKids video Monarch Butterfly - Amazing Animals (1:15)

Added August 28, 2020

Visit the Songs of Insects website to hear the songs of different kinds of crickets.

For educational videos and activities on Grasshoppers and Crickets:

• Cornell University's Understanding Insect Sounds - Natures Chorus (14:50)
• Grasshoppers and Crickets Activity Sheet

Added August 17, 2020

Download a brochure to learn about four plants you should avoid while playing, working, or hiking in the outdoors.

Added August 2, 2020

Learn what a lichen is with AmeriCorps Naturalist Intern, Diana Reube, and test your knowledge.

• Scavenger hunt

Added July 18, 2020

Find out how to survey the bumble bees in your own backyard or a neighborhood park close to you.

• Bumble Bee Watch (0:57)
• Sci Kids video on Busy Bees (3:59)
• Ghost in the Making (19:04)

To learn more about bumble bees:

• Iowa Bumble Bee Brochure and Identification Key
• Buzz About Bees Website (for coloring sheets)
• Participate in the Bumble Bee Survey, Identify Your Bumble Bees, Download a Bumble Bee App

Added July 6, 2020

For in-depth educational and fun videos on dragonflies click on the following short video clips:

• Sci Show Kids Super Strong Dragonfly video (3:47)
• National Geographic Secret World of Dragonflies Short Film Showcase (14:54)

Use a pond net and a few empty clear containers to explore along the edge of a pond, wetland, or small stream.  Make sure to go with an adult for safety.  Fill your container with water from the pond or wetland and then using your net try to catch and examine a dragonfly nymph.  Make sure to release all the critters you discover back into the wetland or pond when you are done. 

For more information and activities:

• Identify Iowa's Dragonflies
• Dragonfly Scavenger Hunt

Added June 29, 2020

Learn a simple recipe for use when campfire cooking with foil.

Added June 27, 2020

Catching crappie in a small lake or Iowa farm pond.  

Added June 26, 2020

Meet the purple martin colony at Central Park in Jones County

Added June 20, 2020

Catching channel catfish in a small lake or pond using nightcrawlers as bait.

Added June 19, 2020

Learn how to safely play Pokemon at Central Park in Jones County, Iowa.

Added June 13, 2020

Catching largemouth bass with simple spinnerbaits. 

Added June 12, 2020

For families just learning the basics of bluegill fishing

Added June 4, 2020

After watching the Cornell Lab of Ornithology video, head out into your backyard or nearby park to see what warblers you can spot.

Added April 27, 2020