|
The Hamilton County Conservation District provides library programs free of charge to any branch within Hamilton County. Our library programs are often developed around a book, include a craft or hands-on activity and can be adapted for a variety of audiences.
Let’s have fun learning at the library! Programs are:
|
|
A Frog's Life (Cycle)!
How do frogs grow from a tadpole to an adult, and what do they do along the way? Students will learn all about the fabulous world of frogs through an engaging story time. Afterwards they will create their own life cycle craft, recall things they learned and talk about how our actions affect frogs and other things living in the water.
Ages 8 - 12, 30-45 min.
Amazing Monarchs
They’re small but mighty! Monarch butterflies are amazing creatures that scientists still don't understand completely. Students will learn about the Monarch's amazing migration and unique metamorphosis then create their own Monarch life cycle made from pasta and paint.
Ages 8 - 12, 40-50 min.
Be Water Wise
As they learn about drinking water resources, students will purify a contaminated sample of water to drink. Students will attempt to create their own filter with supplied materials and test its effectiveness. Students will explore water usage in the United States and steps we can take to conserve water. Thanks to Procter & Gamble, for their generous gift of the P&G water filtration packets.
Ages 8 - 14, 45-60 min.
Bird Buffet
Not all beaks are the same, which means not every bird has the same diet! In this adaptation activity children will use different "beaks" to try and pick up a variety of food to see what sticks. Participants will learn what an adaptation is and how important and unique they are to the animals that have them.
Ages 8 - 12, 30-45 min.
"Bob and Otto"
Through the friendship between Bob the caterpillar and Otto the worm, children will observe the very distinct roles of each organism in the world around them. Children will see that all living beings play a special part in their ecosystem and realize they are all interdependent. Afterwards each child gets to decorate their own cocoon and is given a butterfly to take home.
Ages 4 - 7, 30 min.
Fossils 101
Participants will talk about the creation of fossils and get to know the unique history of Cincinnati during the Ordovician Period. Using fossils gathered locally, the group will identify some dominant fossils of Ohio, discussing some that are similar to present-day organisms. Everyone will get the opportunity to make their own fossil cast using play-doh and plaster-of-Paris and be able to take home their own fossils.
Ages 8 - 14, 35-45 min.
Mud Painting
What kid doesn't love mud? This story celebrates the joys of mud and teaches children the importance of dirt. After reading about the animals that live in the soil and how dirt made their dinner, the children have their own chance to explore when they create "mud finger paintings".
Ages 4 - 7, 30-45 min.
Pumpkin Harvest
Students will trace the life cycle of a pumpkin. They will follow a pumpkin seed from germination to jack-o-lantern and eventually back to seed again. After reading about pumpkins, the children will be given supplies to create their own paper jack-o-lantern to take home.
Ages 4 - 7, 30 min.
"The Curious Garden"
Follow a boy named Liam as he changes a gray city scene to a lush garden world, inspiring the people around him along the way. Children will discover all that a plant needs to survive and learn that they aren’t too small to make a change. This story shows how humans impact the environment. Afterwards, they will have the opportunity to plant the seed that could start their own garden!
Ages 4 - 10, 30-40 min.
"The Lorax"
In this Dr. Seuss book, children learn what happens when The Onceler’s greed takes too much from the forest of the beautiful Truffula Trees, affecting everything that depends on them. This environmental story is interactive and illustrates the interdependence of life and consequences of our behavior. Children enter into a Dr. Seuss tent with life-sized scenery and help to hang up characters and images from the story as it is being read. A crowd favorite! **Presenter requires a space for a 10'x10' tent.
Ages 4 - 7, 30 min.
Turtle Talk *NEW*
Meet our new mascot and animal ambassador, Murf! Murf is an Eastern Box Turtle who's here to educate others about his species and why you should care about turtles. After reading a story about a box turtle, participants will listen to a short natural history presentation and then get an opportunity to ask questions. They will see Murf up close and may also get a chance to touch his shell! An optional worksheet is provided for participants to fill out during the presentation.
Ages 4 - 18, 30 min.
Water Wanders
Using a 3-dimensional watershed model, students can easily see the relationships between human activity and the environment and what we can do to help protect local water quality. They will understand the concept of a watershed and learn the difference between point and non-point sources of pollution.
Ages 4 - 18, 30-45 min.
Wiggly Worms
Students will discover the world of worms with the story “Tunneling Earthworms;” they will learn what they eat, how they survive, and what environment they live in. A worm bin will be brought into the classroom for kids to have a hands-on experience with worms and soil and investigate why the underground world is so important to us.
Ages 4 - 14, 30-40 min.
How do frogs grow from a tadpole to an adult, and what do they do along the way? Students will learn all about the fabulous world of frogs through an engaging story time. Afterwards they will create their own life cycle craft, recall things they learned and talk about how our actions affect frogs and other things living in the water.
Ages 8 - 12, 30-45 min.
Amazing Monarchs
They’re small but mighty! Monarch butterflies are amazing creatures that scientists still don't understand completely. Students will learn about the Monarch's amazing migration and unique metamorphosis then create their own Monarch life cycle made from pasta and paint.
Ages 8 - 12, 40-50 min.
Be Water Wise
As they learn about drinking water resources, students will purify a contaminated sample of water to drink. Students will attempt to create their own filter with supplied materials and test its effectiveness. Students will explore water usage in the United States and steps we can take to conserve water. Thanks to Procter & Gamble, for their generous gift of the P&G water filtration packets.
Ages 8 - 14, 45-60 min.
Bird Buffet
Not all beaks are the same, which means not every bird has the same diet! In this adaptation activity children will use different "beaks" to try and pick up a variety of food to see what sticks. Participants will learn what an adaptation is and how important and unique they are to the animals that have them.
Ages 8 - 12, 30-45 min.
"Bob and Otto"
Through the friendship between Bob the caterpillar and Otto the worm, children will observe the very distinct roles of each organism in the world around them. Children will see that all living beings play a special part in their ecosystem and realize they are all interdependent. Afterwards each child gets to decorate their own cocoon and is given a butterfly to take home.
Ages 4 - 7, 30 min.
Fossils 101
Participants will talk about the creation of fossils and get to know the unique history of Cincinnati during the Ordovician Period. Using fossils gathered locally, the group will identify some dominant fossils of Ohio, discussing some that are similar to present-day organisms. Everyone will get the opportunity to make their own fossil cast using play-doh and plaster-of-Paris and be able to take home their own fossils.
Ages 8 - 14, 35-45 min.
Mud Painting
What kid doesn't love mud? This story celebrates the joys of mud and teaches children the importance of dirt. After reading about the animals that live in the soil and how dirt made their dinner, the children have their own chance to explore when they create "mud finger paintings".
Ages 4 - 7, 30-45 min.
Pumpkin Harvest
Students will trace the life cycle of a pumpkin. They will follow a pumpkin seed from germination to jack-o-lantern and eventually back to seed again. After reading about pumpkins, the children will be given supplies to create their own paper jack-o-lantern to take home.
Ages 4 - 7, 30 min.
"The Curious Garden"
Follow a boy named Liam as he changes a gray city scene to a lush garden world, inspiring the people around him along the way. Children will discover all that a plant needs to survive and learn that they aren’t too small to make a change. This story shows how humans impact the environment. Afterwards, they will have the opportunity to plant the seed that could start their own garden!
Ages 4 - 10, 30-40 min.
"The Lorax"
In this Dr. Seuss book, children learn what happens when The Onceler’s greed takes too much from the forest of the beautiful Truffula Trees, affecting everything that depends on them. This environmental story is interactive and illustrates the interdependence of life and consequences of our behavior. Children enter into a Dr. Seuss tent with life-sized scenery and help to hang up characters and images from the story as it is being read. A crowd favorite! **Presenter requires a space for a 10'x10' tent.
Ages 4 - 7, 30 min.
Turtle Talk *NEW*
Meet our new mascot and animal ambassador, Murf! Murf is an Eastern Box Turtle who's here to educate others about his species and why you should care about turtles. After reading a story about a box turtle, participants will listen to a short natural history presentation and then get an opportunity to ask questions. They will see Murf up close and may also get a chance to touch his shell! An optional worksheet is provided for participants to fill out during the presentation.
Ages 4 - 18, 30 min.
Water Wanders
Using a 3-dimensional watershed model, students can easily see the relationships between human activity and the environment and what we can do to help protect local water quality. They will understand the concept of a watershed and learn the difference between point and non-point sources of pollution.
Ages 4 - 18, 30-45 min.
Wiggly Worms
Students will discover the world of worms with the story “Tunneling Earthworms;” they will learn what they eat, how they survive, and what environment they live in. A worm bin will be brought into the classroom for kids to have a hands-on experience with worms and soil and investigate why the underground world is so important to us.
Ages 4 - 14, 30-40 min.