Discovery
Boxes / Item Loan Program
Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum
FREE Loan Program for Educators!
Bring Some of the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum Right Into Your
Classroom!
Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum Discovery Box / Item
Loan Program
The Discovery Box program is a free loan program of boxes with information aligned with the Illinois Learning Standards about animals and their habitats. Boxes include background information, suggested classroom activities, and a variety of specimens for students to touch and examine. Many boxes also include books, both fiction and nonfiction, to further interest students in the topics. The program has extended beyond animals to include topics such as magnetism and renewable energy. The museum is also a loan site for the popular Illinois Department of Natural Resources loan boxes. Discovery Boxes may be checked out for a period of 2 weeks. Call the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at 630-829-6546 or email jmarin@ben.edu for more information or to reserve a box.
Plant Discovery Boxes
Plants - Foam models of seed to plant and a flower are featured in this box along with seeds, posters, the Eyewitness Video: Plants, transparencies and many plant activity suggestions.
Animal Discovery Boxes
Arthropods
Insects - Samples of insects embedded in plastic and butterflies in glass can be studied for similarities and differences. Written information about each insect is included along with activities, posters and worksheets. Many teachers who have used this popular box have added ideas and transparencies.
Spiders - Students can look closely at a black widow, garden spider, tarantula and other specimens as they learn about spiders. Books and activities for learning about these arthropods are also in the box.
Fish
Fish - This box contains information about the anatomy and physiology of fish as well as habitat information. Information about the reintroduction of the smallmouth bass to the DuPage River is included. Specimens include a fish skeleton and a dissected fish in plastic.
Amphibians and Reptiles
Frogs and Toads - Learn about amphibians with the information and specimens in this discovery box. Information about common Illinois amphibian species also includes salamanders and newts. Specimens include grass frog development, necturus skeleton and toads all encased in lucite for close examination.
Snakes - Does a snake feel slimy when you pick it up? What do snakes do in winter? How do snakes eat? These are some of the questions that can be answered through use of the specimens, books, and the Eyewitness video: Snakes.
Turtles - Learn about turtles with this discovery box. How do they breathe? Where do they go in the winter? What do they feel like? Specimens are included for students to study turtle development, shells, and skeletons. Read the story Minn of the Mississippi and learn about the travels of a turtle down the Mississippi River. Illinois specimens are highlighted and An Atlas of Biodiversity is included along with other valuable Illinois information.
Birds
All About Birds - This box features the hands-on activities developed by Louise Huffman for a workshop given in Feb.1996, for elementary teachers. Her creative activities are supplemented with background information about common backyard birds, migration, and nests, and specimens of mounted birds, nests and feathers.
Birds of Prey - Raptors, their adaptations and the problems they encounter in their position at the top of the food chain are discussed through posters, activity sheets, videos and specimens, including a hawk, an owl and the smaller vireo.
Great Horned Owl and Snowy Owl - Each box contains an owl, owl skull, owl feathers, and background information. There are posters, activities for class use and suggested topics for discussion. The Snowy Owl Box includes information about the Arctic Tundra and a lemming.
Mammals
Bats - Learn about bats and their importance to an ecosystem. Specimens of a brown bat, a Mexican silver hair bat, and a bat skeleton encased in plastic are included for study. Bat Conservation International curriculum materials are included.
Wolves - Factual information about wolves and their reintroduction and recolonization in national parks provide a background for student discussions about the problems involved in this project. There are also literary lesson plans for Julie of the Wolves and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. A wolf skull is included for students to study. Information about other large mammal predators is included.
Animal Adaptation Discovery Boxes
Feathers - Topics such as feather types, use, care and color are presented along with flying and flight information. Transparencies, feathers, and suggested classroom activities help students understand the complexities of feathers.
How Do They Eat?/Animal Skulls - Students can manipulate and compare real skulls of herbivores, carnivores, insectivores, and omnivores. Activity suggestions and worksheets are included for classroom use along with specimen information.
Skin Structures - This box was developed as a result of the winter 2000 workshop for teachers given by Louise Huffman and Nancy Pearson. Their activities are included along with many specimens of the different kinds of adaptations that allow animals to survive. Samples of different skin structures are included for students to examine: deer antler, shells, fur, feathers, claws, porcupine quills, and others. There is written information about each specimen and an article on mammal fur that is excellent background material.
Additional Animal Loan Materials
Carolina Biological Supply Company "Natures Window Series"
These small carrying cases contain a variety of specimens mounted in lucite that help students to explor a particular topic in the natural world.
- Animal Kingdom 1
- Animal Kingdom 2
- Insects
- A Walk in the Woods
- A Walk on the Beach
Animal X-Rays - These X-ray films of animal skeletons will facinate students. There are a variety of species included which make these ideal for discussions on anatomical similarities and differences among animals.
Rubber Animal Scat Models - Students can learn to identify animals and discover clues to their diets through scat by exploring these rubber models. A variety of animals are represented and identification key is included.
Rubber Animal Track Models - Students can learn to identify animals through using tracks by expolring these rubber models. Students can also deduce how
the animals move on different surfaces, defend themselves or catch prey by using the track models. A variety of animals are represented and an identification key is included.
Ecosystem Discovery Boxes
Endangered Species - Learn about the various endangered and threatened species of the United States and Illinois. Posters, specimens and the video, Going, Going, Almost Gone: Animals in Danger and activities developed by the World Wildlife Fund in their Windows on the Wild series are highlighted.
Exotic Species - What is an exotic or alien species? Zebra mussels are one focus of many activities designed to teach about the environmental and economic threats posed by exotic aquatic species. This box was developed using activities and information from the National Sea Grant programs. A smaller box that focuses on terrestrial exotic species is also available.
Introduction to Biodiversity - What does the word biodiversity mean? Why is biodiversity important to all of us? The excellent Windows on the Wild curriculum developed by the World Wildlife Fund is featured and the many specimens of vertebrates and invertebrates in the box foster student learning.
Northern Illinois Biodiversity - Introduce your students to the huge variety of species found in Illinois. This box contains a wealth of written information and activities to lead your class through a discovery of glacial northern Illinois to the modern day Chicago Wilderness. Touchable specimens include feathers, furs, fluorite, lamp shell fossils and deer antler.
Northern Illinois Woodlands - This box has information and activities about the Northern Illinois Woodlands. Some of the topics are animal tracks, what's in a log, seasons, and functions of trees. Specimens include a gray squirrel, woodcock, striped skunk skin as well as the Walk in the Woods kit with additional specimens and activities.
North American Desert - This box introduces students to the deserts of the southwestern United States. What are the adaptations of the animals in this environment? Specimens include a scorpion, tarantula and other small animals and insects of the desert.
Prairie Field Trip - Visit the prairie with slides, posters and a life-size drawing of big blue stem grass. Prairie issues such as restoration, fire, roots, and animal life are presented. Specimens include fox and coyote skins, red shouldered hawk talons and insects.
Tropical Rainforest - This box was organized around the themes of people, plants and animals of the rainforest. Specimens include small animals and insects of the rainforest.
Wetlands - The wetlands metaphor box introduces students to the many valuable functions of a wetland using slides, posters, activity sheets and other written information. Issues such as preservation, flooding, animal diversity and food webs are introduced. Specimens include a muskrat skin, turtle shell, red-winged blackbird and other small wetland animals.
Geology/Paleontology Discovery Boxes
Fossils - Specimens of both plant and animal fossils are included along with written materials and suggested activities. Fossils from Mazon Creek in Illinois are featured. Directions for making fossils are included along with other hands-on activities developed by Tim Brinker.
Rocks and Minerals - Various rock and mineral samples, posters, written information and suggested activities are in this box. This box includes the Eyewitness Video: Rocks and Minerals.
Human Culture Discovery Boxes
Lewis & Clark Expedition - Teachers interested in studying the Lewis & Clark Expedition requested information and specimens of animals the explorers encountered. The box contains 6 pelts and the corresponding skulls along with books and a video about the Lewis & Clark expedition.
Stone Tools - This is a box with stone tools made by Native Americans for their daily activities. It is a basic box with tools and identification cards. Students will be challenged to add to this box with their observations and research.
Physical Science/Renewable Energy Discovery Boxes
Exploring the Power of Wind - This Discovery Box contains materials for students to use as they explore the wind as a renewable energy source. Teachers who participated in three renewable energy workshops suggested the activities. The binder contains basic information about wind as an energy source and many activities that can be used at different grade levels. Materials in the box include anemometers, wind tubes, a wind powered generator, voltmeter, and compasses.
Solar Energy - This Discovery Box has information about
solar energy and activities to introduce solar power to students.
Activities and materials in this box were suggested by teachers
who participated in a series of renewable energy workshops at
Benedictine University. The box includes sun print paper, solar
ovens, solar cars, solar cells, UV beads, and the Patrick Technologies
kit about solar energy along with many other materials and books
for your use.
Additional Renewable Energy Loan Items
Solar Powered Cars - These fun cars are powered by solar cells. Students can see how the cars can race along fueled by the sun. Instructions included.
Solar Powered Radios - Show students how the sun can actually power a radio through the use of solar cells. Instructions included.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Trunks
Aquatic Illinois - This IDNR trunk includes items to help teach about biological, historical, chemical and other aspects of water. Books, posters, water sampling tools, CD-ROMs, videos, and activities are among the contents of this trunk. Suggested grades: 5 - 9.
Illinois Birds - Studying birds can jump-start your students' interest in nature and conservation. The Illinois Birds Trunk is a great way to enhance your lessons. This trunk is filled with field guides, books, track and egg replicas, CD-ROMs, videos, DVDs, CDs with bird songs and calls and even bird replicas that sing! Suggested grades: PreK - 8, but can be modified for other grade levels.
Illinois Fossils - This IDNR trunk provides the opportunity for students of grades 4 - 8 to work with actual fossils and fossil molds. Posters, books and replicas are also included. This box pairs well with the above fossils box.
Illinois Insects and Spiders - Insects and spiders fascinate students. Encourage them to learn more about these organisms by using the resources in this trunk. Books, CD-ROMs, student activities, field guides, posters, insect/spider observation equipment and a video are just some of the items included. Targeted Grades: PreK-6.
Illinois State Symbols - Are you teaching about Illinois? Then the Illinois' State Symbols trunk is perfect for you! Photos, replicas, actual samples, activity books, information and other items are included for your use. There's an Illinois Facts section, too.
Illinois Wild Mammals Trunk - This trunk was developed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and contains skulls, furs, rubber tracks, rubber scat, field guides, activity books, CD-ROMs, DVDs and other resources about mammals in our state.
People and Animals from Illinois' Past - This IDNR trunk includes many items relating to Native Americans and to wild mammals that once lived in Illinois. The Native American section has posters, activities, pottery samples, Native American games, a video, samples of natural products used by the Native Americans and much more. Learning about the Ice Age and other mammals that once roamed what is now Illinois will be easy with the models, tooth replicas, books, video, posters, activities and other items representing these animals. This trunk is targeted to grades 1 - 3.
Chicago Wilderness Materials Box - This box contains lesson plans and materials for three problem-based scenarios based on successful restoration, stewardship, and education efforts in the Chicago area. This box and the educator's guide are a Chicago Wilderness project.
Development of these boxes was made possible by grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Helen V. Brach Foundation, the DuPage Community Foundation and the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation.
Boxes may be scheduled via email. Contact jmarin@ben.edu or call 630-829-6546 to reserve a box or if you have any questions.
updated 8/23/11
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