Ecology/Conservation
Protecting the Earth for future generations takes first learning about our planet, the environment, and how the ecosystem works. Get ecology teaching tips, project ideas, and more.
Things to See & Do in Kansas
Hutchinson Zoo
The Hutchinson Zoo serves as a quality recreational, educational and animal rehabilitation facility to provide an atmosphere where nature's gifts, both plant and animal can be appreciated. Features special exhibits and educational programs.
Emporia Zoo
Naturalized exhibits with a blend of native and exotic birds and animals presented in an area noted for extensive landscaping and horticultural features.
Science City at Union Station
Learn about science at this collection of interactive exhibits. Includes a sever weather center, nature center, echo cave, tree house, high wire bike, astronaut training center, and more. Located in Kansas City.
Lee Richardson Zoo
The Lee Richardson Zoo is located within the 110 acre Finnup Park. The population of animals hails from far away places such as China, Japan, Australia, Africa, and South America to name a few. Approximately 300 animals representing nearly 100 different species inhabit the 47 acre zoo. A professional staff cares for animals ranging from the tiny Pekin Robin to the immense African Elephant.
Topeka Zoo
Learn whild visiting animals at the Topeka Zoo. Filled with animal exhibits, the Zoo also offers educational programs and special events.
Sunset Zoological Park
Nestled within 52 acres in the heart of the Flint Hills in Manhattan, Sunset Zoo is home to more than 397 animals representing 84 species, including chimpanzees, red pandas, Siberian tigers, snow leopards and maned wolves. Sunset Zoo is open 360 days each year and hosts 13 special events throughout the year.
California National Historic Trail
The California Trail carried over 250,000 gold-seekers and farmers to the gold fields and rich farmlands of California during the 1840's and 1850's, the greatest mass migration in American history. Today, more than 1,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen in the vast undeveloped lands between Casper Wyoming and the West Coast, reminders of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of early American travelers and settlers. More than 240 historic sites along the trail will eventually be available for public use and interpretation. The trail passes through the states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and California.
Sedgwick County Zoo
Located in Wichita, the Sedgwick County Zoo offers numerous animal exhibits, educational programs, and special events.
Rolling Hills Zoo
Located in Salina, Rolling Hills Zoo is located on 145 acres of pristine Kansas prairie. Sixty of these acres have been transformed into a beautifully landscaped park setting and are open to the public. The Zoo is home to more than 80 species of animals, housed in spacious, naturalistic habitat settings. Zoo residents include many animals that are rare or endangered in the wild, including chimpanzees, leopards, orangutans, white tigers, and two species of rhinos. Guests enjoy the Zoo on their own to be sure that each visitor can explore at a comfortable pace. The paved walking path is approximately 1.5 miles long, or there is a narrated tram that guests can ride for an extraordinary view of the zoo and its many inhabitants.
Activities & Experiments
ExploraVision
ExploraVision is a competition for all students in grades K-12 attending a school in the U.S., Canada, U.S. Territory or a Department of Defense school. Homeschooled students are eligible to enter. It is designed to encourage students to combine their imagination with their knowledge of science and technology to explore visions of the future. Teams of students select a technology, research how it works and why it was invented, and then project how that technology may change in the future. They must then identify what breakthroughs are required for their vision to become a reality and describe the positive and negative consequences of their technology on society. Winning ideas have focused on things as simple as ballpoint pens and as complex as satellite communications. The student teams write a paper and draw a series of Web page graphics to describe their idea. Regional winners make a Web site and a prototype of their future vision.
Handbook of Nature Study
Based on Charlotte Mason's method of education, this website offers ideas and resources for incorporation nature study into your homeschool.
How I Teach a Large Family in a Relaxed, Classical Way: Science
Family style learning is a great way to tackle lots of different subjects, including science.
Arbor Day National Poster Contest
Join over 74,000 fifth grade classrooms and home schools across America in the Arbor Day National Poster Contest. The theme chosen will increase your students’ knowledge of how trees produce and conserve energy. The free Activity Guide includes activities to use with fifth grade students to teach the importance of trees in producing and conserving energy. These activities correlate with National Science and Social Study Standards. The Guide also includes all of the information you need for poster contest participation.
Looking for Another State?
Featured Resources

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this site.

Cuisenaire Rods Multi-Pack
Grades Pre K & up. An economical way to bring rods into the classroom. Pack contains six sets of 74 rods, six trays with, and Teacher's Guide. For use with 12-18 students.
Critical Thinking: Reading, Thinking, and Reasoning Skills
Based on Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, Critical Thinking will allow students to garner more knowledge from new information by knowing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating. A brief review in each unit provides frequent indications of student mastery. This series is written for grade levels 1-6.
A History of Science
A History of Science is not a textbook, but is a guide to help parents and children study science through literature. It is intended for children in elementary grades.
Flip Over Math Manipulatives
Grades 1-5. Tub of over 500 manipulatives includes Pattern Blocks, Connecting People, Cuisenaire Rods, Coins, and Bean Counters and can be used with the Flip Over Math Books. This 49 page book (others sold separately) is written to NCTM Standards and provide hands on activities from basic math skills to advanced problem solving.
Better Late Than Early: A New Approach to Your Child's Education
In this book, Raymond and Dorothy Moore look at the research behind learning styles for children. The message of slowing down and responding to your child's readiness is a welcome contrast to the common practice of pushing young children through the system. They conclude that the best environment for children to learn is at home.