School Programs
Welcome to Fontenelle Forest! Whether you’re planning your first visit or are already a regular visitor, we hope our educational programs inspire a deeper connection with the natural world. All programs invite you to explore the quiet wild of nature and discover the many diverse aspects of Nebraska’s natural landscape. We offer a range of topics and options for all ages and group size. If you don’t see something that fits your needs, please get in touch. Come discover Fontenelle, Nebraska’s backyard!
At the Forest
Students explore the Forest through engaging, nature-based education programs about plants, animals, and the natural resources found within Fontenelle Forest.
School Program Pricing
$7.75 per student | Teacher/Adult free up to 1:10 ratio | $11 per additional adult
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Up High, Down LowFall, Winter, Spring K (1.5 hours)Explore the Forest from top to bottom, learning how different animals and plants relate to one another. Discuss how seasons initiate physical and behavioral changes in living things, and how animals react to the weather. (Includes 20 minutes of nature play) |
Magnificent MimicryFall, Winter, Spring 1st (1.5 hours)Look for examples of animals that copy one another, either by the way they look or how they behave. Through interactive outdoor games, learn how offspring mimic their parents. Discover how parents teach their offspring the behaviors necessary to survive by teaching them different types of calls and chirps. (Includes 20 minutes of nature play) |
A Plant’s LifeFall, Winter, Spring 2nd, 4th (2 hours)Take a closer look at the importance and structure of plants, then make observations of plant species found in the Forest. Conduct an experiment about what plants need in order to grow. Observe methods of seed dispersal and notice that all plants live in specific habitats that meet their basic needs. |
Habitat AdventureFall, Winter, Spring 3rd (2 hours)Describe observations about the area where a plant lives, consider why the plant thrives there, and what happens when their basic needs are disturbed. Collect evidence that links animals to specific habitats. |
Amazing AdaptationsFall, Winter, Spring 3rd (2 hours)Discover amazing physical survival adaptations including a beaver’s waterproof fur, a plant’s mass production of seeds, and some fun examples of camouflage. Observe evidence of behavioral adaptations of animals in the Forest and how an animal’s instincts are inherited traits. |
Agents of ChangeFall, Winter, Spring 4th (2 hours)Explore how wind, water, and ice cause erosion. Discover the land features and rocks that tell the story of historical landscape changes within the Forest. Conduct an activity that measures rates of erosion and learn how deposition created Nebraska’s rock layers. |
WebologyFall, Winter, Spring 5th (2 hours)In a never-ending cycle, energy is constantly transferring from one thing to another in our universe. Using the plants and animals we encounter in the Forest as our subjects, students will trace back an animal’s energy to the Sun. Learn how the Sun’s power is the paramount fuel for all of Earth’s plant matter. |
Renew or NotFall, Winter, Spring 5th, 6th, 7th (2 hours)Identify natural resources found in the Forest and consider how those resources can be made into something that people use. Review natural resources that are particularly important to Nebraska’s success. Race your mind in our recycling relay, and memorize surprising facts about your trash. |
Awesome AdaptationsFall, Winter, Spring 6th, 8th (2 hours)Observe adaptations in plants and animals and discern whether they are physical or behavioral. Consider how genetic and environmental adaptations are key to an individual’s probability to reproduce and learn how natural selection affects the animal and plant world. |
Backpack Forest ExplorationAll Year Pre-K – 12th (self-guided)Using self-guided backpack activities you’ll help kids become scientists making close observations and discovering the variety of life in the forest. Request a Backpack programGet More Information |
Critters On-SiteAll Year Pre-K – 12th (1 hour)Come face to face with some of our amazing critters and learn all about why they are so neat! Request a Critter program |
Raptors On-SiteAll Year K-12th (1 hour)What is a raptor? Find out in this up close and personal encounter with our educational raptors. Request a Raptor program |
Nature On-the-Go
Bring the Forest into your classroom with a Raptor or Critter On-the-Go program!
Critters On-the-Go Pre-K – 12thCome face to face with some of our amazing critters and learn all about why they are so neat! 1 Hour Program – $150 Additional Programs – $75/each Request a Critter program |
Raptors On-the-Go K – 12thWhat is a raptor? Find out in this up close and personal encounter with our educational raptors. 1 Hour Program – $150 Additional Programs – $75/each Request a Raptor program |