National Elk Refuge
National Wildlife Refuges are world-renowned as places to see great seasonal migrations of fish and wildlife, iconic animals like bison and bears, and ordinary creatures thriving in their natural habitats. The National Elk Refuge is one of over 565 National Wildlife Refuges in the United States. The education team at the National Elk Refuge offer a variety of environmental education programs that highlight natural history and life sciences. We look forward to working with educators in the community to achieve their science standards in a fun and engaging way. Join us on the Refuge or have us bring the Refuge to your classroom!
Kari Cieszkiewicz, Education & Outreach CoordinatorKARI_CIESZKIEWICZ@FWS.GOV
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| Who | We offer programming to all ages. |
| What | Natural History & Life Science programs. |
| When | Year-round |
| Where | We offer programs onsite at the National Elk Refuge & Greater Yellowstone Visitor center or onsite at locations within Teton, Sublette, and Lincoln counties in Wyoming. Or in Teton County, Idaho. |
| Why | Our vision is to provide teaching and learning opportunities about wildlife and conservation to enable students to make informed decisions about environmental sustainability and stewardship. |
Available Programs
Habitats
Students will investigate the concept of habitats and biodiversity. Students will make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats. Vocabulary: adaptation, biodiversity, conservation, ecosystem, ecotone, and habitat. Virtual Program: Program can be hosted through Zoom or in a Google Classroom. The teacher requesting the program must set up […]
Standards:- 2-LS4-1 Biological Unity and Diversity
Energized Ecosystems
Students will determine how energy is transferred through organisms in an ecosystem and be able to describe the process. Furthermore, students will explore the dynamic and important relationships that exist among organisms in an ecosystem. This lesson includes a lecture and two activities (Build an Elk & Build a Wolf). Cross-cutting Concepts: Energy can be transferred in […]
Standards:- 5-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- 5-PS3-1 Energy
Build an Elk
Students will build an elk by decorating a group member with various props that are representations of elk anatomy. The educational focus of this program is the role anatomical structures play in elk adaptation and survival. Cross Disciplinary Concepts: A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions. Vocabulary: adaptation, conservation, […]
Standards:- 4-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structure and Processes
Bird Beak Buffet
Students will determine which habitats are best suited for various bird species by investigating their beak and food gathering abilities. Students will be given various tools, modeled after different bird beaks, and they will explore the successes and challenges of various tools under certain conditions. Cross Disciplinary Concepts: Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified […]
Standards:- 3-LS4-3 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
Build a Wolf
Students will build a wolf by decorating a group member with various props that are representations of wolf anatomy. The educational focus of this program is the role anatomical structures play in wolf adaptation and survival. Cross Disciplinary Concepts: A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions. Vocabulary: adaptation, canine […]
Standards:- 4-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structure and Processes
Build a Duck
Students will build a duck by decorating a group member with various props that are representations of duck anatomy. The educational focus of this program is the role the anatomical structures play in ducks adaptations and survival. Cross Disciplinary Concepts: A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions. Vocabulary: adaptation, warm-blooded, […]
Standards:- 4-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structure and Processes
Build a Bison
Students will build a bison by decorating a group member with various props that are representations of bison anatomy. The educational focus of this program is the role the anatomical structures play in bison adaptation and survival. Cross Disciplinary Concepts: A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions. Vocabulary: adaptation, […]
Standards:- 4-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structure and Processes
Animals Over Winter
1st Grade Program Description: Students will determine how wildlife have adapted to the challenges they experience during winter. Students will explore three responses to winter: adaptation, migration, and hibernation. Students will investigate the physical adaptations of wolves and connect how humans mimic their winter response. Students will explore the responses of hibernators and migrators and […]
Standards:- 1-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures & Processes
- 3-LS4-3 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
Antlers & Horns
Students will compare and contrast antlers and horns and discuss how these structures are used in terms of survival, finding mates, and reproduction. Cross Disciplinary Concepts: Observable phenomena exist from very short to very long time periods. Vocabulary: adaptation, characteristic, compete, environment, habitat, mate, migrate, offspring, reproduce, survive, and variation. Virtual Program: Program can be […]
Standards:- 3-LS4-2 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity