year-round classes

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​STUDENTS
​Programs start at $4 per student and increase at $1 per program per student.
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ADULTS
One free adult admission for every 10 students
$3 admission for additional adults
Ask about scholarships funded by:

John Deere Foundation
American Chemical Society (Plant Science classes align with NGSS science standards)
Woodward Foundation (Rock Island Schools)

An Ant’s Life​

Students will learn about ant life underground and how the colony works together to survive. They will interact as an ant colony through an active simulation.

Butterflies

Learn about area butterflies and why butterflies need our help.

Carnivorous PlantS

Introduction to the fascinating world of meat-eating plants and why they eat insects.

Green House Tour/Planting

Experience the greenhouse and learn about plant survival. Each student will take a planted seed or plant home.

​Life in the Rainforest

We share the benefits of the tropical rainforest and confiscated rainforest products will be shown.

PLANT SCIENCE

Investigate how a plant works from the inside using dissecting scopes and testing the nutrients that sustain life of the plant. $1 off subsidy through the local American Chemical Society.

SENSATIONAL SOILS

Learn about soil and how it helps plants grow. Discover how soil is made and what is in it.​

Sun Garden Tour

Enjoy an interactive tour with your senses in the tropical Sun Garden.

Terrific Terrariums

Explore a terrarium’s ecological connection to our earth. Students will build a terrarium to take home. Additional supply fee per child. 

Vermicomposting

​Create and use compost made from worms. This hands-on activity investigates how worms help break down our organic waste.

Water Cycle

​Water is essential to our planet and students will discover how it moves in our environment. An interactive simulation activity will teach students about the water cycle.

SEASONAL CLASSES

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SPRING FLOWERS: (spring only)

Spring is a special time when plants are coming back into bloom. Discover why spring plants come up at this time of year, and weather permitting, take a walk outside and see these wonders of nature.

magnificent monarchs: (fall Only)

Dive deep into these enchanting creatures as we explore their life cycle. Journey with them on their annual migration and discover how we can help protect these amazing creatures.

insect investigation: (spring/summer/fall)

​Discover the insects that inhabit the Center. Students will be able to see several families of insects and try to catch their own.

EARLY CHILDHOOD (PRE-K)

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Hey, Little Ant

​Help a young boy decide whether or not he should squish an ant and learn how ants are a lot like us!

The Lorax

Come explore environmentalism through the legend of the Lorax and a Thneed, then make your own Lorax- themed project.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

​Learn about insect metamorphosis with a focus on enhancing student counting and color identification skills.

TOPS AND BOTTOMS

​Gardening is fun for the rabbit and bear, but discover which parts of the plant we eat and how it grows with a hands-on activity.