This experience takes place at the Olmsted County Waste-to-Energy and Recycling Center nearby the Nature Center. During the tour, students will follow the route garbage and recyclables takes through the facility observing energy transformations. 

Optional: Spend an additional 30 minutes exploring waste related learning stations that expand on proper disposal of all our waste. 
Fee: No charge. Fees for this tour are covered by Olmsted County. 

Students will learn why birds are banded and how bird banding contributes to conservation. Students will set bird traps, observe closely any live birds that are caught and help record important information that is submitted to the USGS Bird Banding Research Laboratory. 

Travel back to the year 1882 as you step into the Quarry Hill cave. Students learn about the rich history of this hand carved cave, study the geology of the sandstone walls and discover the animals that take shelter in the cave. 

Students will practice the science skills of observation, measurement and asking questions.  A puppet show, observation hike and leaf measurement activities will be included.                                    

Students will compare a live snake & a toy snake, look for animals in soil, and hike to find clues about living things. They will learn what all living things need to survive and some ways scientist group living things.

Explore how a scientist defines a habitat versus a biome.  Learn about Minnesota’s biomes and how each is unique. Then hike to the pond, prairie and forest to investigate what animals might be using these areas as a part of their habitat.  Students will play a matching ‘Find the Habitat’ game (inside).

Students will perform chemical & physical tests, observe pond invertebrates (macro and micro) and play the pond organism pyramid puzzle game to understand the web of life in the Quarry Hill pond.          

Quarry Hill’s animal ambassadors are great teachers! Students learn about the lives and unique characteristics of various native MN animals through examination of a live example and touchable props. Animal choices include snakes, turtles, amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders), raptors, (kestrel or owl) or creepy crawlies (invertebrates).
Offered year round

With net or magnifying lens in hand, students explore the vast world of insects and other arthropods.  How is an insect different from a spider? How can you distinguish a moth from a butterfly?  Students will discover arthropod characteristics, lifecycles and classification as they search out Quarry Hill’s invertebrates.
Offered Late April - Mid October

Travel back to the year 1882 as you step into the Quarry Hill cave. Students learn about the rich history of this hand carved cave, study the geology of the sandstone walls and discover the animals that take shelter in the cave. 

It is survival mode for students as they enter Quarry Hill’s life-sized outdoor game board!  They will use their knowledge and animal instincts to help an animal of their choosing survive for 10 days in the wild. Faced with challenges, the students’ choices will be the map that guides them through the trails. Answer correctly and students will hike their way to victory!
Offered April - November

The pond is a rich habitat for students to explore and this program is all about discovering which creatures make it their home.  Students use dip nets to scoop for aquatic invertebrates, hike along the shoreline tallying wildlife diversity, and search for tracks and other signs of animals at the pond’s edge.
Offered May - Mid October

Students learn the basics of canoeing from safety, to equipment, to paddling techniques. This is a great program for student cooperation and teamwork as they must work together to direct their canoe around the pond. Canoes are connected in tandem for younger grades to ensure a safe experience.
Offered April - October

Learn why birds are banded and how bird banding helps with conservation. Then get up-close with these songbirds to not only learn about their incredible adaptations but also how to trap, handle and release wild birds! The data gathered from these birds is submitted to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory for research.
Offered year round

Participating in a techy version of hide and seek, students master how to use a GPS unit to seek out hidden geocaches within the park. Team names can be recorded in the cache logbook and small treasures can be traded with those found in the cache. Additional adult chaperones may be required for this activity. Groups must also provide treasure trade items.  
Offered March - November

After instructions on proper equipment use and climbing techniques, students will have the opportunity to climb multiple climbing routes on a 17 foot wall.   This program requires 5-6 volunteer belayers -all training is provided.  This is a great team building activity!
April - Oct: Outdoor Climbing
Nov - March: Indoor Climbing (limited to groups of 15 or less)

Students will compare their five senses with the senses of honey bees. Students also learn about the roles of the different bees and how honey is made.

Students will measure & draw small living animals observing how they look & move.  Brief puppet shows will help students understand animal life cycles through the seasons.

The “Soil Chef” will help students understand the difference between soil and dirt by stepping through a recipe for soil.  Students will sift and sort soil samples into their components and hike to the Quarry Hill sandstone cave.                                                  

This bird intensive class will have students observing birds with binoculars, live trapping birds, assisting with bird banding and understanding how habitat and bird adaptations are related.                                  

Students will learn microscope basics and practice with prepared slides before moving on to discovering the amazing world of microorganisms within a drop of water.  Preparing a wet mount slide, observation, sorting, and  classifying skills will be emphasized.

Students will learn about the strategies that animals use to survive winter. The risks of hypothermia and ways to prevent it are taught at the stations like the "Ice Bucket Challenge". 

Quarry Hill’s animal ambassadors are great teachers! Students learn about the lives and unique characteristics of various native MN animals through examination of a live example and touchable props. Animal choices include snakes, turtles, amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders), raptors, (kestrel or owl) or creepy crawlies (invertebrates).

Students strap on a pair of snowshoes to discover the benefits of 'big' feet in the snow. A Quarry Hill naturalist assists in outfitting the students and then leads them off the beaten path in search of animal tracks and signs. This experience is offered when Quarry Hill deems conditions are acceptable. 

Students are introduced to the sport of classic cross-country skiing. With boots, skis and poles properly fitted, students learn the basics of skiing techniques before heading out onto the groomed ski trails. 
This experience is offered when Quarry Hill deems conditions are acceptable. 

Travel back to the year 1882 as you step into the Quarry Hill cave. Students learn about the rich history of this hand carved cave, study the geology of the sandstone walls and discover the life that resides there today.
Offered year round

Learn why birds are banded and how bird banding helps with conservation. Then get up-close with these songbirds to not only learn about their incredible adaptations but also how to trap, handle and release wild birds! The data gathered from these birds is submitted to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory for research. 
Offered year round

After instructions on proper equipment use and climbing techniques, students will have the opportunity to climb multiple climbing routes on a 17 foot wall.   This program requires the participating group to provide 6 volunteer belayers -all training is provided.  This is a great team building activity!
April - Oct: Outdoor Climbing
Nov - March: Indoor Climbing (limited to groups of 15 or less)

Explore how a scientist defines a habitat versus a biome.  Learn about Minnesota’s biomes and how each is unique. Then hike to the pond, prairie and forest to investigate what animals might be using these areas as a part of their habitat.  Students will play a matching ‘Find the Habitat’ game (inside).

Quarry Hill’s animal ambassadors are great teachers! Students learn about the lives and unique characteristics of various native MN animals through examination of a live example and touchable props. Animal choices include snakes, turtles, amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders), raptors, (kestrel or owl) or creepy crawlies (invertebrates).

The pond is a rich habitat for students to explore and this program is all about discovering which creatures make it their home. Students use dip nets to scoop for aquatic invertebrates, hike along the shoreline tallying wildlife diversity, and search for tracks and other signs of animal life at the pond's edge. 

Offered May - mid-October 

Students learn the basics of canoeing from safety, to equipment, to paddling techniques. This is a great program for student cooperation and teamwork as they must work together to direct their canoe around the pond. Canoes are connected in tandem for younger grades to ensure a safe experience. 
Offered April - October

Participating in a techy version of hide and seek, students master how to use a GPS unit to seek out hidden geocaches within the park. Team names can be recorded in the cache logbook and small treasures can be traded with those found in the cache. Additional adult chaperones may be required for this activity. Groups must also provide treasure trade items. 
Offered March - November

After instructions on proper equipment use and climbing techniques, students will have the opportunity to climb multiple climbing routes on a 17 foot wall.   This program requires 5-6 volunteer belayers -all training is provided.  This is a great team building activity!
April - Oct: Outdoor Climbing
Nov - March: Indoor Climbing (limited to groups of 15 or less)

The pond is a rich habitat for students to explore and this program is all about discovering which creatures make it their home. Students use dip nets to scoop for aquatic invertebrates, hike along the shoreline tallying wildlife diversity, and search for tracks and other signs of animal life at the pond's edge. 
Offered May - mid-October 

Quarry Hill’s animal ambassadors are great teachers! Students learn about the lives and unique characteristics of various native MN animals through examination of a live example and touchable props. Animal choices include snakes, turtles, amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders), raptors, (kestrel or owl) or creepy crawlies (invertebrates).

With net or magnifying lens in hand, students explore the vast world of insects and other arthropods.  How is an insect different from a spider? How can you distinguish a moth from a butterfly?  Students will discover arthropod characteristics, lifecycles and classification as they search out Quarry Hill’s invertebrates. 

Travel back to the year 1882 as you step into the Quarry Hill cave. Students learn about the rich history of this man-made cave, study the geology of the sandstone walls and discover the life that resides there today.

Students hike half a mile to the Quarry Hill rock quarry, in search of ancient fossils. 450 million years ago areas of Southeastern Minnesota, were covered by an ocean filled with sea-dwelling creatures. These creatures’ fossils remain in the Platteville limestone today. Commonly found fossils include Brachiopods, Trilobites, Cephalopods and Gastropods. 

It is survival mode for students as they enter Quarry Hill’s life-sized outdoor game board!  They will use their knowledge and animal instincts to help an animal of their choosing survive for 10 days in the wild. Faced with challenges, the students’ choices will be the map that guides them through the trails. Answer correctly and students will hike their way to victory!

Students learn the basics of canoeing from safety, to equipment, to paddling techniques. This is a great program for student cooperation and teamwork as they must work together to direct their canoe around the pond. Canoes are connected in tandem for younger grades to ensure a safe experience. 
Offered April - October