Field Trips

Field Trip Registration

 

It's time for a field-trip! The following programs, led by Parks Naturalists, compliment and support Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction standards in science, math, and social studies. For specific correlations contact the Wehr Nature Center.

Seasonal as well as year-round Starlab programs are available for Grades Pre-K through 12.

Seasonal Field Trips
 Season Grade Level Program
 Fall
 Sept-Dec
PreK–Grade 1
1-1/2 hrs
The Adventures of Canada Goose
In this original puppet show, children follow a Canada goose as she spends her fall in Wisconsin trying to decide what to do for winter. A seasonal hike highlights the lessons of the puppet show.
Registration Information
 
 Fall
 Sept-Oct
 Spring
 May-June
PreK–Grade 2
1-1/2 hrs
Fly, Flutter, and Crawl
Students learn about insects and their relatives. Then they hike to find, identify, and release them.
Registration Information
 
 Fall
 Sept-Oct
Grade 2–4
1-1/2 hrs
Trees & Me
Students create a "living tree" as they learn about a tree's form and function. A hike into the woodland offers the opportunity to meet key players of the forest. Students discover how a variety of living things depend on trees.
Registration Information
 
 Fall
 Sept-Oct
 Spring
 May-June
Grade 2-4
1-1/2 hrs
Chipmunk Chatter
Children crawl through a magic tunnel to explore the world as a chipmunk. Math, science, and natural history are emphasized in this indoor and outdoor program. 
Registration Information
 
 Fall
 Aug-Oct
 Spring
 April-mid-June
Grade 1-3
1-1/2 hrs
Nature's Neighborhoods (Habitats & Ecosystems)
Students use finger puppets to discover the basic needs of living organisms. They visit habitats in Wehr's woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands. Grades K-1 with emphasis on habitats. Grades 2-4 with emphasis on ecosystems.
Registration Information

 
 Fall
 Sept-Oct
 Spring
 May-June
Level I:
Grade 2–4
1-1/2 hrs
Level II:
Grade 5–12
2 hrs
Water Explorers
In this pond study program, students immerse themselves in the wonders of wetlands. Hands-on collection and observation enrich the learning experience as students discover the amazing adaptations of aquatic creatures.
Registration Information
 
 Fall
 Sept-Oct
 Spring
 May-June
Grade 2-6
2 hrs
Soil Secrets
Students learn what lives in soil and under logs, and discover how soil is like a layer cake (soil horizons). Students also learn how we depend on the soil for our food, and will go on a hike in search of ingedients to mix soil for an alien.
Registration Information
 
 Fall
 Sept-Nov
 Winter
 Dec-Feb
 Spring
 April-June
Grade 3–8
2 hrs

Rocks & Minerals,
Maximum Group Size: 40
Working indoors in small groups, students will use kits to do mineral testing on rocks and will learn rock identification. No hike included.
Registration Information
 
 Fall
 Sept-Nov
 Spring
 April-June
Grade 4–8
2 hrs
 
Let's Go Climb a Moraine at Wehr
Students will investigate the effects of the Ice Age on Wisconsin during this extended hike through the glaciated landscape of the Wehr Nature Center.
Registration Information
 
 Fall
 Sept-mid Oct
 Spring
 mid May-June
Grade 7–12
2 hrs
Biodiversity Basics
Student "research teams" will visit 2-3 different ecosystems, will collect data through physical and biological measurements, and will evaluate their findings.
Registration Information
 
 Winter
 Jan-Feb
PreK–Grade 1
1-1/2 hrs

Weasel's Winter Coat
Through this puppet show, children will meet Weasel, a clever but slightly confused short-tailed weasel, and will learn about the benefits of camouflage and winter adaptations. A seasonal hike highlights the lessons of the puppet show.
Registration Information
 
 Winter
 Jan-Feb
 Level I:
Grade 1–3
1-1/2 hrs
Level II:
Grade 4–6
1-1/2 hrs
Animal Tracking
Jan., Feb.
Students will be introduced to the art of "reading" tracks. Each student will make a plaster cast of an animal print and hike outside in search of animal signs.
Registration Information
 
 Spring
 April-mid May
PreK–Grade 1
1-1/2 hrs

Lady Bug's Spring Breakfast
Children will meet Lady Bug as she awakens from a winter sleep. She visits her other friends as she searches for her favorite food – aphids. A "spring secrets" hike highlights the lessons of the puppet show.
Registration Information
 
 Spring
 late Feb-Mar
Level I:
PreK–Grade 1
1-1/2 hrs
Level II:
Grade 2–6
2 hrs
Maple Magic
In this sweet-treat of a program, students will learn about maple trees and maple sugaring's Native American origins. As part of the indoor segment of the program, students will try their hand at tapping a log. A hike through the sugar bush will reveal the old-time sugarin' process. To top off the program, students will get a taste of real sap and syrup.
Registration Information
 
 Spring
 mid May-June
 Summer
 
June-Aug
PreK–Grade 3
1-1/2 hrs

Willow Pond
Through this original puppet show, children discover the miraculous changes a tadpole goes through as it becomes a toad. The program also introduces children to other animals of Willow Pond who are changing and growing faster than you can say "metamorphosis." A seasonal hike highlights the lessons of the puppet show.
Spring Registration Information
Summer Registration Information

 

Your students will enjoy hands-on astronomy inside the "star bubble" called Starlab, Wehr's own portable planetarium. Wehr Naturalists have developed age-appropriate sessions for PreK–Grade 8 students. Programs are available year-round.

Year-round Starlab Programs
Grade Level Starlab Program
PreK–Grade 2
1-1/2 hrs

Blast Off to Mars
Children "blast off" to Mars as kid astronauts to learn about its features and what they would need to live there.
Registration Information
 
PreK–Grade 2
1-1/2 hrs

Our Favorite Solar System I
Children become the planets and participate in a story to discover what makes each planet special in this lively study of the solar system.
Registration Information
 
Grade 3-8
1-1/2 hrs

Our Favorite Solar System II
Students discover special characteristics and motions of each planet in this active study of the solar system. Students also see recent photos from NASA.
Registration Information
 
Grade 3–8
1-1/2 hrs

Moon Madness
Students study the Moon, its features, and formation, and the Moon landings. Students participate in activities to learn about the Moon's phases and why they occur.
Registration Information
 
Grade 3–8
1-1/2 hrs

Sun Secrets
Students will learn about the sun's composition and solar phenomena in this program detailing how stars are formed and how the Earth is affected by the sun. Through a hands-on activity, students will simulate the nuclear explosions in the cores of stars. Naturalists will also present slides of solar eclipses showing coronas and prominences.
Registration Information
 
Grade 3–8
1-1/2 hrs

Star Stories
Students see what the night sky looked like on their birthday, learn why we see different sets of stars throughout the year, and view seasonal constellations. 
Registration Information
 

Questions? Contact Us

Wehr Nature Center
9701 W. College Ave., Franklin, WI 53132
(414) 425-8550

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