Ages 7-11 - CLASS CANCELLED
Every Bird needs to eat and each bird’s beak gives us a clue about what it eats. In this class, students will learn how different birds use their beaks to gather and eat their food. Students will have the opportunity to both learn about different types of birds and use hands-on experiments to find out just how difficult it is to get certain types of food.
Read MoreAges 8+
Check out what makes a creepy crawler. See, touch and learn about reptiles and amphibians.
Read MoreAges 8+
We will search out insects found at the Sun Foundation neighborhood and learn about their life stories. We will learn how to identify insects and will learn a bit how they experience the world. We will focus on specific group of insects (those of interest to the class - such as beetles or aquatic insects). The content of each class will differ each day because of this.
Read MoreAges 7+ (Will be assigned with students of similar ages)
Dr. Katy Everett & Janie Backs
Students will move, breathe, connect and create together in the forest and prairie. We will mindfully move through postures, games and crafts with an awareness of our breath. Students will practice fun yoga shapes and stretches, name and feel emotions, connect with the forest around them, learn breathing techniques for focus and relaxation, create collages with forest items around them, and build body awareness. Through this course, kiddos of any age will gain a more profound sense of self-awareness, social awareness, decision making, relationship skill, and the ability to recognize and manage emotions
Read MoreAges 7-11
You will learn how the monarch transforms through its various stages. Using photos and (hopefully) real live caterpillars, butterflies and everything in between – you will see examples of all evolutions as they grow from a tiny egg to a beautiful butterfly. You’ll learn so many things like: - how to Identify milkweed plants (the ONLY things monarchs eat as caterpillars) – how to find and identify the eggs and tiny caterpillars – how to tell male from female butterflies – and why their tongue is a long curly straw. You will also learn how to draw them, which will reinforce and help you remember everything you learn about these amazing creatures.
Read MoreAges 7-11 - CLASS FULL
Discover the wild with Nature Ninjas! Spend the afternoon in the woods learning camouflage hiding, nature observation and awareness activities. It’s an adventure that sparks a deeper connection to nature. Join us as we unveil the mysteries of the forest and ignite the spirit of Nature Ninjas within
Read MoreAges 7+
A few hundred years ago, Illinois was covered mostly in expansive grassland habitats known as prairies. In this class, we’ll immerse ourselves in the Sun Foundation’s prairie and explore it’s science through hiking, activities and an animal encounter or two.
Read MoreAges 7+ - CLASS FULL
Observe and work from live fish, frogs, turtles, and snakes in aquariums. Also available to work from will be feathers, butterfly wings, bones, shells, rocks, interesting branches, leaves and flowers. We will explore these forms on paper using a variety of drawing materials and watercolor studying the beautiful colors, textures and details they contain. Students will also have a chance to create some of these forms in self-hardening clay.
Read MoreAll Day Major • Ages 13+ - CLASS FULL
More than a game, Coyote Warriors builds upon a foundation of athletics to teach young people about teamwork, conflict, work ethic, awareness and maintaining a healthy mind and body. This course is about building confidence in teens. By facing hard work and struggle in a fun environment, we equip students with tools to bette prepare for work and school beyond nature’s classroom. Coyote Warriors relies upon an ancestral understanding of team sports blended with modern science and a hint of the spiritual. It is a chance to escape the contemporary world, examine ourselves in nature, and return to the challenges of modern life with new training for adulthood. Ironically, they lofty ideals are achieved through not trying too hard, from the ground up . . from a foundation that starts with lots of running and team rivalry.
Read MorePee Wee • Ages 5-7
daVinci students will explore a range of interconnections among science and the arts. Kids will observe, sketch, design, build and express themselves using a range of tools, materials, media and song. With a focus on nature, topics are straight forward and students learn primarily through play.
Read MoreAges 8-12 - CLASS FULL
We will explore the marshes, creeks and woods of the Sun Foundation to observe the larger, natural world, taking sketchbooks with us to make “Nature Notes”. We’ll collect leaves and flowers to use along with other specimens (such as feathers, butterfly wings and maybe bones and shells) to take back in our barn to create more detailed art. We will also be observing and sketching some living creatures, such as fish, frogs, turtles, and snakes in aquariums. We will draw and paint with watercolor, pencils and cray pas for two days, incorporating our notes from the natural world. On the third day we will begin working with clay, learning how to translate our ideas into 3-dimensions. We will combine our own inspirations and observations of the natural world as well as use our imaginations to create drawings and paintings, and sculptures with clay.
Read MoreAges 8-12 - CLASS FULL
Spend a week exploring the Sun Foundation’s natural spaces and the living things that build healthy ecosystems! In addition to plenty of hiking and science-based field activities, we’ll also build a mini museum collection of our favorite findings and research how they contribute to our environment.
Read MoreAges 11 + - CLASS FULL
Come explore some of the older ways of cooking, processing foods, foraging, processing wild game, using plant dyes, making lip balm, candles, home made kites and fermentation.
Read MoreAges 10+ - CLASS FULL
We will explore the Sun Foundation property, looking for native reptiles and amphibians. We will show you how to find and identify animals. We will discuss what they eat and how to take care of them. You’ll get to catch, touch and hold them. Plan to get hot, wet and dirty! Please make sure to wear clothes that are appropriate.
Class will be an all day major on Wednesday.
Read MoreAges 8+
Uncover clues to Earth’s history. Check out how water has formed our Earth and has changed the landscape. We will explore the creek beds along the property to check out what glaciers have done to our home long before we were alive. When we aren’t working up a sweat looking for fossils and rocks; we will be talking about a much cooler subject, the Ice-Age.
Read MoreAges 8+ - CLASS CANCELLED
Learn about the major groups of insects, their biology and how to identify them. Learn how insects experience our world (spoiler alert – it is nothing like our experiences). Participate in our citizen scientist project to quantify the insects found at the Sun Foundation neighborhood. Learn what insects you may encounter in your backyard. Learn why insects are such an important part of our world. Learn at least one insect joke each day as well.
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