LBL | EXPLORE & LEARN Overview

KY & TN
GROUP PROGRAM CORRELATIONS

Our woods, water, cultural resources, and wildlife provide a diverse outdoor classroom and numerous recreation opportunities, from trails to campgrounds.

One of LBL's key components is to provide educational opportunities for its visitors. LBL's facilities fulfill this goal with numerous fun and informative programs and events; programs available for organized groups are listed below. Kentucky and Tennessee classroom teachers will also find the programs correlated to their respective state's curriculum framework.

RESERVATION INFORMATION
The following programs are offered to pre-scheduled groups throughout the operating season (March 1-November 30). Programs vary in length and therefore differ in costs. During December, January, and February, programs are offered on a limited basis by reservation.
Reservations are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. For reservations, cost, and other information, call our group scheduler at 270-924-2020, 8 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
Minimum group size is 10 paying participants.

ALL AGES

A WALK THROUGH NATURE: Self-guided Tour of the Backyard
(Nature Station)
Step into the world of nature on a self-guided visit to explore the native wildlife exhibits, gardens, and indoor displays. Use your observation skills to discover and question the mysteries of the natural environment.

A WALK THROUGH TIME: Self-guided Tour of the Farm
(The Homeplace)
Discover what daily life on a mid-19th century farm was like by visiting with interpreters at various stops as you tour the farm. You will get a chance to talk about the different roles of people on the farm, discover some of the many uses for the crops and animals raised on the farm, and discover how heavily people depended on natural resources in their daily life.

GRADES K-2

A WALK WITH THE ANIMALS: Are They Pets? (The Homeplace)
Are all animals pets? What types of animals were there on a farm in the mid-19th century? Learn each animal's role and purpose on the farm, from draft animals to animals raised for food. We offer two options for this program: 1) Chickens, Ducks, and Pigs and 2) Horses, Oxen, and Sheep. (The program will feature 3 animals; however the rest of the animals will be seen on the self-guided tour.)

TOYS AND GAMES (The Homeplace)
What did children do for fun before the age of television and Playstation? Discover toys that were made at home and learn some games that would teach the children skills while they played.

CHILDREN'S CHORES (The Homeplace)
No time to play until you finish your chores. Who hasn't heard that before? For children of the mid-19th century, this was a necessity. Not finishing their chores meant the family might go without water or firewood. Help us finish up the day's chores!

SPINNING WOOL (The Homeplace)
Discover the process of how wool is turned into yarn. This process is not as simple as it sounds. There are many steps and skills necessary to make yarn including shearing, cleaning, carding, and spinning. Watch these demonstrations and try your own hand at spinning.

PUPPETS ON STAGE (Nature Station)
Puppets are a fun way to share stories about nature! Take an imaginary adventure with us as we laugh and interact with our puppet friends. Choose from the following puppet show adventures: "Wetlands Are Wild," "Keepers of the Earth," and "The Mighty Tree."

BACKYARD SAFARI: Fur, Feathers, and Scales (Nature Station)
Explore the furry, the feathery, and the scaly as we get a close look at several of our backyard animals! Students will discover how different body coverings and adaptations help animals survive in their habitats.

BACKYARD SAFARI: Sensory Adventure (Nature Station)
Explore the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of nature with your students. Our senses will certainly come alive as we investigate the backyard and the animals to discover how all living things depend on their senses for survival.

POND PROWL (Nature Station)
Are you ready to "dip in" and search the wet, the muddy, and the mysterious? Your students will explore life in a pond and learn about the diversity of aquatic critters that call wetlands their home. Students should dress to get wet and muddy.

NATURE DETECTIVES (Nature Station)
A time of outdoor exploration and discovery awaits you on this investigative hike of the nearby woods, fields, and shorelines! This 1-mile-or-less hike focuses on developing observation skills, engaging our senses, and discovering more about our natural environment, including how everything in nature is connected, even people!

BEAR TALES (Planetarium)
Join us on a family camping trip under the stars and listen in as the family is regaled by Grandpa Ben's lively tall tales about the night sky. Take a tour of the season's constellations; learn why the bears in the sky have long tails, or is that tales?

3-2-1 BLASTOFF (Planetarium)
Travel and explore the solar system with cybernauts Deven and Alex aboard the Sol I for an amazing tour of the Sun, planets, moons, and other space features.

Grades 3-6

A WALK WITH THE ANIMALS: Endangered Animals? (The Homeplace)
When you think of endangered animals, what comes to your mind? Pandas, spotted owls, or blue whales? What about chickens, sheep, and pigs? Go on a guided tour of the various animals on the farm and learn about endangered farm animals.

WORKING WITH WOOD (The Homeplace)
Wood was a tremendous resource on a farm. It was used in everything from the family house, to the fences around their crops, to the chairs they sat in, to the tools used on the farm. We will discuss wood as a resource, as well as demonstrate the use of some of the tools that would be used on a farm in the mid-19th century. We will even let you try your hand at splitting a rail!

HORSE AND OX POWER (The Homeplace)
In the days before tractors, horses and oxen provided much of the power to work the land. Find out the benefits and limitations of these two animals by observing them and the equipment they use. You will also get a chance to find out just how important teamwork and trust are when working with these animals by taking a turn in the harness yourself!

BACKYARD SAFARI: Secrets of Survival (Nature Station)
Animals are well designed for protecting themselves, finding food, and surviving within their habitats. Students will observe the wildlife in our backyard and learn about the exceptional adaptations many animals use in the fight for survival!

BACKYARD SAFARI: Web of Life (Nature Station)
As we visit the animals in our backyard, your students will be introduced to the interrelationships among plants, animals, and their environment. From food webs to predator-prey relationships, we'll examine the many connections found in a woodland ecosystem.

IN COLD BLOOD (Nature Station)
Looking for a "hands-on" approach to examining cold-blooded critters up close? Then your students will enjoy discovering some of the differences and similarities between reptiles and amphibians found in the forests of LBL! We will examine life cycles, special adaptations, and behaviors unique to this special group of animals.

CANINE COMMUNICATION (Nature Station)
Behavioral communication is common among all animals, but what ways are unique to the canine family? Your students will find out the answers for themselves as they observe and investigate the behavior of our resident coyotes. As we examine how our canines communicate, we will be sure to have a howling good time!

BUILD-A-BEAVER (Nature Station)
Find out how busy little beavers are uniquely adapted to living in freshwater wetlands. We'll make use of group volunteers as we build an imaginary beaver and discover how they play an important role in the ecosystem.

NATURE JOURNALING (Nature Station)
Our backyard of woodland animals and plants is an excellent outdoor setting for developing the basic skills needed for scientific investigations! Your students will enjoy word and drawing activities that help them observe, write, and draw what we experience! Please let us know if your students will bring their own journals or use our journaling sheets.

POND PROWL (Nature Station)
See description under Grades K-2 programs.

STREAM STROLL (Nature Station)
This "fast-flowing" program will explore the diversity of life found in a stream ecosystem! Your students will conduct a scientific investigation by collecting and identifying aquatic invertebrates and assessing the water chemistry and surrounding habitat. Students should dress to get wet and muddy. Appropriate for Grades 5 and 6.

WETLANDS INVESTIGATION (Nature Station)
Time to tromp through a swamp! Your students will discover the diversity and wonders of wetlands as they explore the depths of a freshwater marsh. This investigation focuses on scientific inquiry, wetland plant and animal adaptations, and the values and functions of wetlands. Students should dress to get wet and muddy. Appropriate for Grades 5 and 6.

BEAR TALES (Planetarium)
Appropriate for Grades 3 and 4. See description under K-2 programs.

3-2-1 BLASTOFF (Planetarium)
Appropriate for Grade 3. See description under K-2 programs.

KENTUCKY SKIES (Planetarium)
Students get a sneak-peak at tonight's sky through the magic of our 40-foot dome. Learn the constellations, the lore of the night sky, and some celestial events you can view for yourself. Appropriate for Grades 5 and 6.

STARS TO STARFISH (Planetarium)
Just as the stars, planets, and outer space has held a certain fascination for us, we are just as curious about the vastness of the oceans and their depths. Explore the diversity of life in the ocean - from one-celled plants to 150-ton whales!

RING WORLD (Planetarium)
The Cassini-Huygens, a spacecraft launched in 1997, is well on its way to Saturn, the "Lord of the Rings" planet and a world of unparalleled beauty. Investigate how, what, and when this exploratory spacecraft will reveal Saturn's secrets to us here on Earth. Appropriate for Grades 5 and 6.

BLOWN AWAY: The Wild World of Weather (Planetarium)
Students will be blown away by this look at the fascinating world of weather as they are placed inside a thunderstorm, swept into a tornado, and whisked upwards for a view from space of dynamic weather. Students will explore the Water Cycle, how storms develop, and learn safety tips about lightning and tornadoes. Appropriate for Grades 4-12.

GRADES 7-12, ADULTS

A WALK WITH THE ANIMALS: Endangered Animals, Too?
(The Homeplace) As society moves on, many of our needs change. Tractors have replaced animals that were once needed for pulling plows. Chickens that were once popular because they could take care of themselves are now replaced by ones that are more productive. Because of these changes, many breeds of animals have become extinct. What can we do to help? Enjoy a guided tour of our livestock as we explain the roles that sites like The Homeplace play in preserving historic breeds.

WORKING WITH WOOD (The Homeplace)
See description under Grades 3-6 programs.

BACKYARD SAFARI: Wildlife Conservation
(Nature Station)
As we explore the diversity of wildlife species found in our backyard, students learn about many of the conservation issues related to wildlife in this region. We will discover how human activities can affect the balance of an ecosystem.

REPTILES IN OUR WORLD (Nature Station)
Learn about key concepts in ecology through an up-close examination of several live reptile species. Students will discover how biological adaptations relate to an animal's ability to survive in different environments.

STREAM STROLL (Nature Station)
See description under Grades 3-6 programs.

WETLANDS INVESTIGATION (Nature Station)
See description under Grades 3-6 programs.

KENTUCKY SKIES (Planetarium)
See description under Grades 3-6 programs.

STARS TO STARFISH (Planetarium)
See description under Grades 3-6 programs.

RING WORLD (Planetarium)
See description under Grades 3-6 programs.

BLOWN AWAY: The Wild World of Weather (Planetarium)
See description under Grades 3-6 programs.

Fort Donelson National Battlefield
Dover, TN
Schedule a ranger-guided tour or an interpretive program to better understand this Civil War Battlefield. Other educational opportunities consist of off-site programs conducted by Fort Donelson rangers and a traveling trunk program. Call 931-232-5706 for more information.

Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge
Dover, TN
A group visit to the refuge can be scheduled by calling 931-232-7477. A visitor center and restrooms are available.