ANIMAL HABITATS (Grades 5-12)

  There are many different habitats on DiscoveryQuest's property where animals make their home. Participants will explore, record and compare data from 14 of these areas as they search out a home for their "specific" animal.

   Animals are everywhere, even though we cannot always see them. Participants will exercise senses, in order to discover and investigate the evidences animals leave, while learning to identify the animal according to the evidence.

  One of the most prominent Florida insects is the ant. Participants will observe ants in action both on the property and in a live ant farm, take part in reality based ant games, gain understanding into the life of an ant and draw comparisons to our life as humans, from a biblical perspective.

   Owls and hawks make their home at DiscoveryQuest and provide an opportunity for participants to observe, while also taking part in various hands-on activities designed to help them understand the body parts and functions of these amazing birds.

   Butterflies and moths make up a large part of the insect world at DiscoveryQuest and are among the most interesting creatures to observe. Participants will search out their own specimen, compare and contrast both, gain insight into the life cycle of both and identify the contributions of both to all of nature.

  This activity focuses on birds common to the South Florida area. Emphasis will be placed on identification techniques such as calls and songs, field marks, behavior and flying patterns.

   The world of these "creepy crawly" critters is both vast and often unseen or unnoticed. Participants will shrink their bodies but not their minds as they use investigative and classifying skills while searching out native "invertebrates" in the most overlooked places on our property.

  In this class, the invisible will become visible as participants explore rock surfaces, tree bark, leaf litter and various other tiny, natural habitats in order to investigate, identify and compare the organisms and physical environment in which they make their home.

  These eight legged critters are often avoided due to fear and lack of knowledge, however, participants will locate and examine a spider and its habitat, developing research and mathematical skills while creating a web replica and possessing a growing curiosity devoid of fear.

  Participants will have a chance to experience firsthand what it is like to survive as an animal. This game dramatically illustrates the effects of natural community, diversity of producers and consumers, human influences, disease and physical elements on animal populations. Participant are given a role in the food chain, live out their roles in the "wild" and process their experience as an animal in a post game discussion.

2 activity periods (3hours)   Requires at least 21 participants.