Education Programs

These are but a few of the educational programs that can be designed for specific grade levels or groups. We will create specific presentations based on your needs or ideas. Outdoor adventures are also available for families and organizations.

Amphibians
What constitutes an amphibian? This group of animals includes frogs, toads, newts and other “slimy” creatures! Learn about the different stages amphibians pass through in their lifetime and other interesting facts you didn’t know. Live animals will be used.

Animals Signs
Be a nature detective! Learn about the variety of evidences that animals leave behind; whether it is tracks, scat, skulls, smells, sounds or other things.

Animal Tracking
Follow those tracks! Ever see animal signs or tracks in the wilderness or your yard that you wish you could identify? Well here’s a good start! Students will learn the art of identifying animal tracks by creating their own to take home.
The class can be conducted outside, weather permitting.

Arachnids
Most folks are not fond of spiders and scorpions, why would you be? That is the question we will try to answer, and perhaps change your view about arachnids! Using live animals and a whole lot of information we will explore the wild world of arachnids in depth.

Arthropods
Arthro-what? This just happens to be the world’s largest group in the animal kingdom. It encompasses insects, arachnids, crustaceans… so many to learn, but we can certainly help with that! We will equip the students with necessary knowledge about arthropods and come to a deeper appreciation of this rather extensive group of critters.

Birding
Learn to identify birds by sight and sound in this hands-on workshop. Games, slides and lots of interaction make this a fun a memorable experience for all. Participants can also put their newly learned skills into practice by stepping outside to bird in an area near you!

Bones
No bones about it! This class will take you back in time to the past and return you to modern times to learn about discovering and identifying different types of bones. Using visuals of actual bones and other educational materials, this class will provide an experience you’ll never forget!

Camouflage and Cryptic Coloration
We’re all familiar with hide-and-seek… but what if we could hide by simply blending into our surroundings or using our skin color? Many animals can blend in as a defense mechanism… let’s look for what we may pass by everyday!

Colonial Cidering
Step back in time and learn about real apple cider, fresh from the press! This is a hands on nature and history lesson enjoyable for folks of any age. Samples of fresh cider will be available once you press it!

Diggin’ Deep
These are things we all take for granted, as many are used in our everyday lives, such as salt! With hands-on experience, students will learn the three rock classes (sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic), what rocks and minerals are, how to tell the difference between rocks and minerals, and tips on starting their own collection to continue the fun and learning.

For Goodness Snakes!
It’s a close encounter with legless creatures – snakes! People of any age can learn the truth about snakes: what they eat, how they slither, how they are helpful to us and why they’re afraid of us! This program features live snakes for everyone to see.

Going My Way?
Would you like to learn how to use a very practical and useful tool that few people know how to operate? Through fun activities and outdoor games, acquire compass navigation and map reading skills to point you in the right direction! Class size is limited to 20 students, and
is suggested for ages 10 and up.

Gone Batty
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a bat – the only one true flying mammal. This program explores the haunts and habits of these mysterious creatures. Are there actually vampires? What do bats eat? What bats are local to our area? Where do they live? What’s a flying fox? Students will learn popular myths and truths about this elusive mammal that controls the night sky.

Hawk Talk
The annual migration of hawks as well as eagles, osprey and falcons is an amazing spectacle. Through slides and many other teaching props, we will discuss the identification and the ecology of hawks and aspects of their migration. Emphasis will be on hawks that migrate through the central and eastern flyways of North America.

Herps
What is herpetology? Learn about the different animals in this misunderstood group often referred to as herps, but more commonly known as snakes, crocodiles, alligators, turtles, lizards, frogs, toads and salamanders. We will discuss the world of reptiles and amphibians through the use of specimens and live animals.

Insects
Called “bugs” by most people because they are thought of as pests. Perhaps there is more to these six-legged creatures than we know. Students will learn some of the benefits that many insects provide, expanding their knowledge and learning to better understand this “not-so-appreciated” group of animals.

Lizards
By observing live animals and asking questions, students will gain a greater knowledge and appreciation for this large group of reptiles. And though we won’t learn the art of changing colors like a chameleon, lizards are still sure to color your world.

Mammals
Ready for a hair-raising experience? Well, perhaps not in that sense, but mammals, or creatures possessing hair can certainly teach us a thing or two! Come prepared to learn through specimens and live mammals as we delve into the amazing world of this popular group in the animal kingdom.

Nature’s Wise Guys
Discover the nocturnal world of owls and what they do during the day! Thirteen species of owls can be seen in Texas every year. Learn what they eat, where they live, what sounds they make, and what pellets are.

Nocturnal Animals
Prepare to explore the hidden secrets of the night and the animals that live in it! Nocturnal animals, or animals that sleep during the day and come out at night, are a unique part of the animal kingdom. They can teach us many things and Mr. Dave can pass that information on to you! So end the suspense, and check out this class that won’t leave you in the dark.

Outdoor Field Trips
See sights the natural way! There’s no better way to learn about topics ranging from natural history to geology and American history to ornithology than in the great outdoors. Back Into Nature will coordinate and guide your field trip to locations nearby to you. Half or full days available.

Reptiles
Discover what reptiles are and learn that perhaps there are more to them than just slithering snakes. This group also includes lizards, turtles, crocodiles, and other animals that will be discussed. Live animals will be used for educational purposes.

Scatology
He went scat-a-way! We always think about tracks or footprints to see which animals have been around but forget about what every animal has to do… poo! Learn a new way to identify and track the movements of the animals in your area even when you don’t see them. Mr. Dave will guide you through the specialized study of wildlife feces. Kids love this class!

Survey of Invertebrates
This vast group of animals gives us the opportunity to explore all there is to know about animals lacking a backbone. Students will learn examples of invertebrates by examining specimens, viewing pictures, and having the opportunity to see live animals. Because invertebrates are such a large group, there is much to be done in this class!

Survey of Vertebrates
Why, this could be a class about us! Vertebrates, better known as animals that possess backbones, are an integral part of nature, and humans are a perfect example! But students will learn about many other vertebrates and gain extensive knowledge about this group. Educational materials will include valuable information from many books and live animals.

Traveling Maple Sugar Show
Maple syrup from Texas, whoever heard of such a notion? Our native Bigtooth Maples can supply sap for syrup, just like the Sugar Maples of Vermont! In this class you will learn where maple syrup comes from, when and how maple tapping began, and how to tap a tree. Students will also learn about basic tree identification and other maple sugar products. There’s even a chance to taste the real thing! Assistance with tree tapping on school grounds and other properties is also available if you have maple trees large enough.

Trees
Where would humans be with out magnificent trees? Perhaps there are more to trees than meets the eye! How are they beneficial to us? Students will learn how to identify trees and how valuable they really are to nature and our lives. Then perhaps we won’t take their beauty for granted any longer!

Wide World of Birds
Learn little known facts and fun trivia about the wildlife we come closest to everyday – birds! Find out where you can see brightly colored birds in your area. Courtship, nesting, eggs, feeding, migration and much more will be discussed.

Please contact us for information on some of the following available teaching topics, or one that you have in mind that would line up with your teaching plans.

Plants -Tropics Topics – World of Animal Sounds – Eggs – Deer – Bears – Fossils