K-8 Field Trips

Our fantastic kindergarten through eighth grade science programs are designed to intrigue and excite young minds.

What you need to know:

• Cost: $6/student; a minimum payment of $80 is required.
• Chaperones: Groups must be accompanied by one adult for every 16 students. Adults are free.
• Grade: We design programs to meet the needs of the grades specified.
• Maximum Group Size: 75 students unless otherwise stated.
• Location: All programs are seasonally appropriate and take place outdoors. Please be prepared for the weather. In the case of extreme weather, we will implement alternate indoor activities focusing on the same themes and concepts.
• Curriculum requirements: All LSNC programs are designed to complement and enrich the GLCES as well as Common Core State Standards. We have listed the GLCES that each program addresses.
• Parking: We have very limited parking; carpooling is encouraged.
• Lunch: There is a $15 charge to have lunch on-site, please schedule this ahead of time. Seating is outside on picnic tables and you provide all food and drinks. Groups can combine two programs and bring lunches; in that case the lunchtime fee will be waived.
• Scholarships: LSNC provides assistance to schools where 50% or more of their students qualify for the National School Lunch Program. Funds are limited and are distributed on a first come, first served basis. Please call (734) 997-1553.
• Cancellations: LSNC automatically cancels field trip programs when Ann Arbor Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather. If you decide to cancel for any reason, you must do so two weeks in advance or you will be charged a $25 processing fee.
   

Plan your field trip.

Call 734-997-1553 or use this form to arrange a program.

Please have the following information ready when you call:

• Teacher Name & School
• School Address & Phone Number
• Class Size
• Program Choice & Ideal Dates

Programs

Sensing Nature (Grade levels available: preK/K/1; 90min)
Discover how animals and humans use their senses to survive. Program includes opportunity to see live animals and engage in outdoor exploration on our 1/8 mile Sensory Nature Trail.
GLCES: S.IP.00.11, S.IP.01.11, S.IP.02.11, L.OL.01.13
Key Concepts: Sight, touch, taste, hearing, smell, survival characteristics, animal and human senses

Winter Woods (Grade levels available: K/1/2; 90min)
Learn how animals have adapted to survive our Michigan winter weather. Students will become nature detectives as they search for evidence of animals out on the trail and see live animals that hibernate.
GLCES: S.IP.00.13, L.OL.00.11, S.IP.01.11, S.IP.01.13, L.OL.01.13, L.EV.02.23
Key Concepts: Seasons, animal survival characteristics, hibernation, migration, insulation

Beneficial Bugs (Grade levels available: 2/3/4; 90min)
Biofacts, games, collection, hike and live animal observations will help students learn what makes an animal an insect or bug, what are some ways they help humans and what our world would look like if we didn’t have any.
GLCES: L.HE.01.11, L.OL.01.21, L.OL.01.13, S.IP.01.14, S.IP.01.16, S.IP.01.15, L.0L.03.42
Key Concepts: Life cycles, classification of insects, metamorphosis, diversity, comparisons

Tremendous Trees (Grade levels available: 3/4/5; 2hr)
Hands-on exploration and activities include using a dichotomous key, playing games, enjoying a guided hike through the forest all to learn about native trees, their life cycles and the requirements for growth.
GLCES: L.OL.02.17, L.OL.02.2, L.OL.03.31, L.OL.03.41, L.EV.03.11, L.OL.04.15, L.EC.04.11
Key Concepts: Life cycles, plant structure, tree anatomy, dichotomous key, habitats

Beaks, Feathers, & Talons (Grade levels available: 3/4/5; 2hr)
Seeing our live birds of prey, experimenting with beak design and playing the great migration challenge game will illustrate adaptations. Binoculars will be provided for field observation on a guided nature hike.
GLCES: L.OL.03.32, L.OL.03.42, L.EV.03.12, L.EV.04.22, L.EC.04.11, L.EC.04.21, S.IP.05.11
Key Concepts: Adaptations, habitat needs, migration, classification, food web

Explore Black Pond (Grade levels available: 1/2/3/4/5; 2hr) Note: Our vernal pond often dries in the fall.
Dipping nets and a video microscope will be used to provide students with an up close look at the organisms they collect during their hike through Black Pond Woods. Students will also meet live animals in order to learn about food chains, adaptations and classification.
GLCES: S.IP.03.14, L.OL.04.15, L.OL.04.16, L.EC.04.11, L.EC.04.21, S.IP.05.13
Key Concepts: Habitats, food chains, water ecosystem, animal adaptations, classification

Native Americans of Michigan (Grade levels available: 3/4/5; 2hr)
Experience a year in the life of early Michigan Native Americans. Travel through the seasons as students explore the culture and traditions of the Anishinabe through hikes, games, crafts and more.
GLCES: S.RS.03.19, L.EV.05.11,3-H3.0.4,3-H3.0.5,3-G5.0.2
Key Concepts: Anishinabe, cultural awareness, land use, community, traditions

Animal Adaptations for Survival (Grade levels available: 4/5/6; 2hr)
Test your adaptation skills by experiencing a “fox survivor” hike. Play “Quick Frozen Critters” and observe live animals to determine the adaptations that enable survival as either a predator or prey.
GLCES: S.IP.03.11, L.EV.03.12, E.ES.03.52, S.RS.04.18, L.EV.04.22, L.EC.04.11, L.EV.05.11, L.EV.05.12
Key Concepts: Structural and behavioral survival adaptations, predator, prey, food chains

Challenge Course (Grade levels available: 5/6/7/8; 2hr) Note: 30 student limit.
Students build self-confidence and life skills as our trained facilitators challenge your group to cooperate, communicate, problem solve, and work together as they make their way through creative team initiatives.
Key Concepts: Team building, effective communication, self-confidence, problem-solving