Dear Teachers,

This website is designed to guide you in planning a field trip to Imagination Station. Included is information on the museum itself, as well as, a listing of the unique science programs offered for children from preschool to sixth grade. We have also included several programs specifically designed for multi-age groups. The last two pages contain information about pricing, scheduling and a few policies regarding visiting Imagination Station.

Imagination Station offers two types of field trip experiences. The first is for groups that want visitation only. These field trips allow children two hours of exploration in the museum galleries. Children are able to imagine themselves as a firefighter, jet pilot, engineer and more. Imagination Station museum visits are designed to give children a chance to explore science and technology in an interactive and supportive environment.

A second field trip option, a Visit Plus, includes one of Imagination Station’s unique science programs. Each program encouraged inquiry and hands-on investigation. Students are invited to look at science topics from multiple perspectives. Each class is designed using national and state science standards with a specific age group in mind. However, most programs can also be adapted for other ages, if requested. If you chose a Visit Plus, your students will still have exploration time in the museum galleries.

Imagination Station programs are a great way to enhance your classroom curriculum, provide a special science opportunity, and ensure a fun-filled and memorable field trip for your students.

Please use this guide to learn about our field trip options. When you wish are ready to schedule a visit ,find out more about a specific program, or anytime you have questions, please feel free to call me or my staff at (765) 420-7780.

Have a great school year!

Sincerely,

Imagination Station Staff

PreSchool

Me & My Shadow

This program allows students to get to know a constant, although sometimes mysterious, companion - their shadow! Children will engage in active experimentation as they create and manipulate shadows and begin to understand what causes them to appear. Students' logical thinking skills will be challenged as they attempt to match a group of objects with the correct shadow. This program highlights the concept that science is all around us and is a wonderful opportunity for children to gain experience experimenting with everyday objects.

A Whale of a Tale

Take your students for an adventure onto the ocean and into the world of whales. This program introduces the fact that whales are not fish, as children often assume, but mammals just like them. Children will experience the eating habits of whales who have teeth versus those who have baleen. Students will use their own bodies to learn about whale behavior.

A Colorful World

This program takes students on a vibrant exploration into the colors of nature. Children will be introduced to concepts such as the spectrum and basic primary and secondary colors. Children with and without good color identifying skills will benefit from the practice in matching and recognizing colors, as well as naming them. Activities include identifying colors and objects in nature, exploring animal camouflag, rainbows and a unique bubble experiment that illustrates prisms.

K - 1

Come to Your Senses

This program offers children a chance to experiment using all five senses. They will enhance observation skills as they focus their attention on the details they can gather using their senses. Children will be introduced to obstacles that arise when one of a person’s senses is impaired. They will explore compensation methods, such as sign language, guide dogs and wheelchairs. They will also learn about some new technologies now being used to aid sensation.

Where Dinosaurs Walked

Inspired by the actual dinosaur footprint on display at Imagination Station, this class will give children a closer look at those mysterious creatures called dinosaurs. They will learn the many clues footprints can tell us about the creature who made them millions of years ago. Students will be encouraged to investigate fossil samples to see what stories rocks can tell. This class will encourage students to investigate many aspects of dinosaur life.

Busy Bees

What’s it like to be a bee? Children will answer this and many other questions as they take a closer look at the world of the honeybee. Students will learn the different social roles bees play and how these jobs work together to keep the hive working. Bee communication will be compared and contrasted with various forms of human communication. Except during the coldest months of the year, the program is enhanced by viewing a working bee hive in the Imagination Station gallery.

Wild world of Animals

Why don't polar bears live in the desert? What's the difference between a reptile and an amphibian? Students will explore these questions and more as they adventure into the animal kingdom. This program investigates animal classification based on environmental adaptations, as well as the differences between various animal types. Students will participate in a number of experiments and activities, including a game to classify animals based on eating habits, habitats and other characteristics.

2 - 3

The Fantastic Body Voyage

Enlist, if you dare! This program challenges students to become members of an exploration team on an amazing journey into the human body. These brave adventurers will discover the importance of various body organs, including the heart, lungs, and stomach. Students wil also participate in fun and unique demonstrations to explore the circulatory, digestive and respiratory systems hands-on.

Buggin' Out

A fun-filled glimpse into entomology begins with a look at the basic structure of insects and the three body parts common to them all. The concept of symmetry and how it relates to insects will be introduced through a unique activity designed to bring the concept to life. Children will construct their own insects, keeping in mind the three body parts and theories of symmetry that all insects possess.

What's the Matter?

This program allows children to get hands-on with "weird" states of matter. What happens when things can't be easily identified as solid, liquid or gas? What if a material has properties of more than one state? Students will complete fun experiments designed to test their critical thinking skills. Please note: This program is designed for students who already know the basic definitions of solid, liquid, & gas. It is not appropriate for thos who do not have a working knowledge of the definition of each state.

Its Raining, Its Pouring

This multidimensional weather program examines many aspects of rain. Participants will be introduced to the basics science of why it rains and ways to tell a storm is on the way. Using their bodies, children will participate in the recreation of a rainstorm. The mythology and significance surrounding the importance of rain in many cultures will also be looked at. To culminate the session, students will create their own rain clouds in a bottle.

4 - 6

Science Survivor

Students must use their heads to stay alive in this program after their plane goes down in one of the biomes of the world. Combining logical and creative thinking skills, abilities that are vital to any scientific endeavor, students learn about working in small groups and the conditions that affect survival in different parts of the world. Groups will be given facts and then challenged to use their skills and imagination as they make decisions affecting whether or not they get out alive!

Toying with Physics

Can playing with toys make you smarter? They can in this class. Explore the world of simple machines with nothing more than a few items found in every child's toy-box. Students in this program will participate in hands-on explorationinto the real science concepts present in such "simple" toys as a metal slinky and a racecar. Classes will journey back in time to the invention of the wheel, then fast-forward to the present as they discover the physics and technology behind common toys of today.

Levels and Pulleys and Gears, Oh My!

Making work easier and faster by using simple machines is the focus of this class. Students will examine everyday objects and come to realize that simple machines are everywhere. They will learn the name and function of various components of simple machines and how each contributes to make the entire machine work.

What in the World?

This program will introduce participants to a number of concepts in earth science, geography, cartography and more. Students will discuss why early cultures believed the world was flat and how we now know it’s round. Problems related to the transfer of a round globe onto a flat map will be explored. Students will investigate the theory of Pangea through active experimentation.

*Special* Classes that participate in this program during the first semester have the option of launching a GeoPack. A GeoPack is a collection of items we will send to kids around the globe. They designed to illicit return letters, packages, e-mails and postcards from many interesting places. Call for more information.

Multi-Age

These programs are designed specifically for groups that include a broad age span of visitors. Children are usually divided into smaller groups according to age level for classes, but an advantage of these programs is that they provide a single topic of exploration for everyone in the group. Anyone who finds these topics appealing, however, may request them. Call the museum for details about specific activities presented for different ages.

Observations: Seeing is Learning

Observation is one of the most important skills in both the scientific world and in life. This program will encourage kids of all ages to take a closer look at objects around them. Activities will range from looking at differences in people’s appearances, even those that seem “identical,” to close-up examination of objects from the natural world.

The Art of Science

Although they tend to be thought of as very separate subjects, this class will help children discover the many connections between the worlds of art and science. Activities will encourage exploration into areas of science as children investigate and create their own original works of art. A variety of topics will be explored through demonstrations and hands-on activities.

Home Sweet Habitat

Students are invited to take a closer look at their personal habitats and those of creatures around the world. Activities will introduce the elements that must be present in order for an animal to survive in a particular habitat. The consequences that occur when one of these elements is in short supply will also be explored. The activities blend biology, ecology and other sciences into multi-layered learning.

Things to Remember

Fill their minds, and their stomachs!

Imagination Station can provide a space for your group to enjoy a snack lunch during their visit. Please make arrangements for this option when placing your reservation. Your group is responsible for clean-up after the meal. All trash and recycling should go in the proper receptacles.

Cancellations and Changes

Imagination Station must be notified at least three days in advance if a visit needs to be cancelled or if any information on your reservation needs to be changed. If notification is not given, your group may be subject to a fee.

Chaperones

One adult chaperone is required for every 5 children present during your visit. Adult chaperones are expected to accompany children at all times. We ask that adults participate and motivate the children to try activities, as well as, insure appropriate behavior. Groups without appropriate supervision may be subject to extra charges.

Gift Shop

If requested, Imagination Station will be glad to keep the gift shop closed during scheduled visits. When the gift shop is not open, please remind children not to play in this area or take gift shop items into the galleries. If your group would like to use the gift shop, we ask that chaperones take small groups into this area one at a time. Children are not allowed to be unsupervised in the gift shop.

Check-In

Upon arrival at Imagination Station, groups should check in with staff. If your group will be divided into smaller groups (most groups of 25 or more are divided), please make sure children are aware of their groups prior to arrival. We encourage children to wear name tags during Imagination Station visits. This helps our staff give more personal assistance to each child. Before your visit begins, Imagination Station staff will present a short introduction of the museum and go over a few rules. Then your group will be released to explore the museum and/or to begin a program. Imagination Station galleries are slf-guided, which is one reason appropriate supervision is so vital.

Tips for Visiting Science Centers
**A resource for adult chaperones**

Plan Ahead

Visit the science center's website, get a brochure or do a quick walk-through ahead of time. Find the exhibits you want to focus on when you visit.

Encourage Questions

Answers are good, but questions are even better. Questions stimulate thinking and are vital part of learning. "What do you see?" "What do you think will happen if...?" Then point is not right or wrong answers; it's the process of investigation. Questions help children relate what they're doing to personal experiences.

Can't Answer?

Admit "I don't know." It's okay not to know all the answers, even if you're a teacher. "Let's find out" is a good response. Seek out a museum staff member to help answer your questions.

Respect Children's Ideas

Enjoy their perceptions of what they see, hear, and feel. They're experience is more limited than yours, and some of their ideas may seem naive or puzzling. Remember: Scientific breakthroughs start when someone sees the world a different way.

Enjoy Yourself

Science centers are for kids and adults. The wonder of discovery is for all ages. Who knows, you might learn something too!