Wildlife Photograph

Ijams Outreach Education Programs

Can't find the time to take your class on a field trip? Then let Ijams bring a field trip into your classroom! Ijams Outreach programs are fun, educational, and always exciting! All Ijams Outreach programs are designed to follow Knox County and Tennessee State Curriculum guidelines. Programs are full of hands-on activities, games, media presentations, and all Outreach programs conclude with a live animal presentation! See our Summer Outreach page here.

Classroom Program Topics

All Outreach programs are designed for up to 30 students.

K-2nd Grades

Elementary Bats — The exciting world of bats is explored through a short video, sensory game, bat artifacts, and preserved animals.

Kindergarten

Animals in Winter — With the enviro-quilt, puppets, and live animals, students focus on animal strategies for survival in the winter: hibernation, migration, or remaining active throughout.

Wild Babies — By using their senses, students explore the lives of baby animals. Games, a media presentation, animal sounds, and live animals are used.

1st Grade

Little Bit of Nature— Basic ecological concepts such as food chains, habitats, and the needs of plants and animals are explored through the use of puppets, games, and microscopes.

What's Your Cover — The characteristics and body coverings of 5 groups of animals are discussed using games, activities, and discovery centers.

2nd Grade

What's Bugging You? — The lives and characteristics of insects and spiders are discussed through a short play, activities, insect collections, and live arthropods.

3rd-8th Grades

All About Bats — An in-depth look at the ecological role bats play in our environment. Each program is grade-specific.

3rd Grade

Hooray for Herps — Live and preserved animals, a media presentation, skeletons, and discovery centers are used to discuss the characteristics of reptiles and amphibians.

Lifecycles — Students investigate the lifecycles of animals and flowering plants with games, a media presentation, and discovery centers. Metamorphosis and reproduction are discussed.

4th Grade

Adaptations of East TN Animals — The similarities and differences between animal groups, vertebrates and invertebrates, and adaptations are explored. Touch tables, games, activities, and a media presentation are all featured.

Creepy Crawlers — The diversity, beauty, and importance of arachnids are explored through the use of puppets, activities, discovery stations, and live animals.

5th Grade

These Trees — Students learn the parts of a tree, their functions, and the importance of trees in our ecosystem. A simple key is used to identify local trees.

You Are What You Eat — Through the use of skulls, pictures, and live animals, students discover the similarities and differences between herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

6th-12th Grade

These programs are available in 1 hour or 1½ hour blocks.

Mainly Mammals —Students explore the adaptations of local wildlife with lab-based activities, skulls, pelts, and live animals.

Composting Lab — Students investigate the dynamics of composting and the invertebrates that live in a compost pile.

Preschool Outreach

Outreach programs are available for ages 3 and up. Preschool programs are 30 minutes in length, and have a minimum fee of $45.

Choose from the following topics:

  • Birds
  • Mammals
  • Reptiles and Amphibians
  • Bats
  • Insects and Spiders

Outreach Program Fee Information

  • All programs are 1 hour in length, unless otherwise specified.
  • Each 60-minute Outreach program is $4 per student, with a $90 minimum fee, unless otherwise specified.
  • Full scholarships are available for students on free/reduced lunch programs.
  • There is an additional travel fee of for programs outside the area of Ijams Nature Center.
    • 20-25 miles: $5
    • 25-30 miles: $10
    • 30-35 miles: $15
    • 35-40 miles: $20

Scheduling an Outreach Program

To schedule an Outreach program, or for more information, call Sabrina at (865) 577-4717 x16, or email sabrina@ijams.org. For better service, please have the following information ready:

  1. Program desired
  2. Grade/age level
  3. Number of students
  4. Contact information
  5. School address and phone number
  6. Preferred dates and times

Scheduling Tips

  • Due to the popularity of our Outreach programs, the calendar fills quickly. Book as soon as possible to receive your chosen date and time.
  • Ask about our full scholarships—nearly every school in Knoxville has eligible students.
  • You are encouraged to schedule multiple classes in the same day.
  • Before your Outreach program, you will receive a confirmation letter, along with a packet of pre- and post-activities to help your class get the most out of your Outreach visit.