Home School Series

August 21 & September 18, Thursdays, 2:00 – 4:00 pm, Metea Nature Center

Metea County Park is offering a home school science enrichment program for all school age students in three age groups.

Participants in this project MUST pre-register at 449-3777 or by emailing kharding@allencountyparks.org (preferred method).

The fee for this program is $10.00 per student and $4.00 per parent, and includes both month’s sessions, all handouts and equipment. One parent/guardian per family is required to attend.

Classes fill up quickly, so reserve your space soon! Each session begins promptly at 2:00 pm!

Please bring proper footwear and insect repellent.

Beginner - Grades 1-3
During the first session we will be investigating the pond during this program. The children will be using our dip nets and various equipment to discover what critters live in the pond during the fall months. If we are lucky we may even find some crayfish with eggs or some monarch butterfly larva on the milkweed next to the pond.

The next session will consist of a “bird-brained” activity and a hike that centers on birds. If you have binoculars please bring them. We have a few pairs that we can use too.

Intermediate - Grades 4-6
The first session will consist of a “bird-brained” activity and a hike that centers on birds. If you have binoculars please bring them. We have a few pairs that we can use too.

During the next session we will be learning about the monarch butterfly – metamorphosis, caterpillar and butterfly anatomy, tagging, habitat, predators, how to tell the sex of the butterfly and chrysalis, and migration of the butterflies. Wear appropriate shoes as we will be hiking through the prairie to catch and tag some butterflies.

Advanced - Grades 7-12
We will be learning about the monarch butterfly – metamorphosis, caterpillar and butterfly anatomy, tagging, habitat, predators, how to tell the sex of the butterfly and chrysalis, and migration of the butterflies during the first session. Wear appropriate shoes as we will be hiking through the prairie to catch and tag some butterflies.

During the next session we will learn about the social behaviors in crickets. We will be catching crickets and learning about how they interact with other crickets. It’s more than chirping!!! Be prepared to complete a scientific investigation!!!