Fee: $4.50 per student/chaperone (teachers and staff no charge)
Time: All tours last approx an hour
Minimum: 15 people or $67.50
Maximum: 30 in a group, up to 4 groups at one time (*see exceptions)

Fossils & Dinosaurs
This tour focuses on the scientific process using fossil evidence.  Students explore an ancient ocean, walk among giant ferns and insects of a prehistoric forest, and learn about Burpee’s dinosaur discoveries.  Includes time in the award winning interactive exhibit Jane:  Diary of a Dinosaur and a look at the fossil prep viewing lab.
Aligned to Illinois State Learning Standards 4A, 5A, 11A, 12A, 12B, 13A

The First People: Native Americans in North America
The main focus is Woodland cultures of this area.  As part of the tour, students get a taste of Native American life by gathering around a “fire” in our authentic wigwam.  We compare the lifeways of people of the Eastern Woodlands, Great Plains, and the Desert Southwest and examine how the environment influenced the Peoples’ way of life.  Information about prehistoric people, the mound Builders and the mounds at Beattie Park can be included.
Aligned to ISLS 4A, 5A, Goal 16, 17C, 18A, 18C

Illinois State (1 ½ hours, $5.50 per student/$4.50 chaperone)
A look at the Prairie State examining local Native Americans, state symbols, natural habitats and geologic history.
Aligned to ISLS 4A, 5A, 12E, 16A, 16E

Windows to Wilderness (*2 groups maximum at a time)
Explore nature in the Rock River Valley as you venture into our biology exhibit.  Focusing on local ecosystems and wildlife, this exhibit offers a fun, interactive approach to the world around us.  This tour includes “up close and personal” with some of Burpee’s live animals.
Aligned to ISLS 4A, 5A, 12A, 12B, 12E, 16E, 17B, 17C

Beneath Our Feet (*2 groups maximum at a time)
This tour covers the basics of geology including sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks; mining and earth shaping forces.
Aligned to ISLS 4A, 5A, 12E, 17B, 17C

Dinomite! and Pint Size Pow Wow
Special Preschool and Kindergarten age versions of our two most popular tours. We also offer a Preschool and Kindergarten version of our Windows To Wilderness tour.

Fee: $8.00 per student
Time: 2 hours
Minimum: 15 students or $120.00
Maximum: 30 per group, 4 groups at one time (*see exceptions)
In addition to the tour, students participate in hands on activities which allow for a more in depth experience. (The fee includes the tour and the classroom session)

The First People: Native Americans in North America
Students work with clay to make a miniature pot using Native American techniques.

Fossil and Dinosaur
Students make their own “fossil” and participate in a hands-on group exploration of fossil "time capsules." 

Windows to Wilderness
This workshop includes a hands-on group activity with “habitat clue boxes” in the classroom and a take home project.

Archaeology workshop (grades 5 – 12, *2 groups maximum)
This workshop includes hands-on group work with real Native American artifacts. 

Project Clear
Project Clear is a hands-on field trip available from March through October for grades 6 – 12.  The program gives students the opportunity to evaluate the Rock River by collecting water samples and river macro-invertebrates from the river, then using the riverside Aqua-Aerobic Systems Water lab, they identify and analyze the samples to determine the health of the river.
Aligned to ISLS: Goal 4 A, 1a-d, 3a, 4a-c; Goal 11A, 2b-e, 3a, c-g, 4a-e;
Goal 12B, 2b, 3b; Goal 13B, 2a

Fee: High School $9 per student
Time: 3 hours
Minimum: 15 students or $135
Maximum: 40 students
Chaperones: one required for every 10 students (no fee)
Activities: chemical testing, macro invertebrates, Micro organisms, bacteria counts

Middle School: $8 per student
Time: 2 ½  hours
Minimum: 15 students or $120
Maximum: 60 students
Chaperones: one required for every 8 students (no fee)
Activities:  chemical testing, macro invertebrates