Ecology/Conservation
Protecting the Earth for future generations takes first learning about our planet, the environment, and how the ecosystem works. Get ecology teaching tips, project ideas, and more.
Things to See & Do in Ohio
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a 2,180-mile footpath along the ridgecrests and across the major valleys of the Appalachian Mountains from Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in northern Georgia. It traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, it was built by private citizens and completed in 1937. The trail traverses Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The Columbus Zoo grounds cover 588 acres along the banks of the Scioto River. Ninety acres are used for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, which houses more than 700 species and more than 6,000 specimens. The Zoo is one of a handful of U.S. zoos to permanently house koalas. Other Australian exhibits include kangaroos and tree kangaroos. Other animals include reptiles, turtles, West Indian manatees, bald eagles, black rhinos, elephants, and much, much more.
Toledo Zoo
The Toledo Zoo is home to over 3,000 animals representing 525 different species. Ten climate-controlled buildings, some of which were constructed during the Works Progress Administration and Federal Emergency Relief Administration eras, make The Toledo Zoo a unique, educational and fun place to visit anytime of the year.
North Country National Scenic Trail
The North Country National Scenic Trail links scenic, natural, historic, and cultural areas in seven northern states. The approximately four thousand mile long trail incudes a variety of hikes from easy walking to challenging treks. When completed, through the efforts of many people, the trail will become the longest continuous hiking trail in the United States. From the Missouri River in North Dakota to the shores of Lake Champlain in New York, the trail allows hikers to experience a variety of features, from clear-flowing streams, to thick Northern woods, from vast prairies to clean lakes.
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has 75 acres housing more than 500 animal species and 3000 plant varieties and has over 1.2 million visitors annually.
The Wilds
Located in Cumberland, The Wilds spans nearly 10,000 acres of reclaimed, surface-mined land. Thousands of acres have been developed and divided into large sections where African, Asian, and North American species are managed. Take a guided Wilds' Safari through the park, a Wilds at Work tour, or explore the Johnson Visitor Center.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, founded in 1892, is the seventh oldest zoo in the United States. Occupying 165 wooded acres, the recent acquisition of an adjacent 141 acres makes it one of the largest urban zoos. More than 3300 animals may be seen in modern, spacious settings and state-of-the-art exhibits.
African Safari Wildlife Park
Tour the 100 plus acre preserve and visit hundreds of rare, exotic and some endangered animals from around the world. Many roam free in a simulated setting. Don't miss the Educational Animal Shows & Pig Races. Located in Port Clinton, 17 miles West of Cedar Point.
John Ball Zoological Garden
The John Ball Zoo is located on the hillside of a beautiful 140 acre park on the west side of Grand Rapids. Currently the animal collection at the Zoo includes 237 species and 1,183 individuals.
Akron Zoological Park
The Akron Zoo features Monkey Island, Tiger Valley, the Asian Trail, Gator Gorge, Wild Prairie, and Penguin Point. Also offers educational programs and special exhibits.
Activities & Experiments
ExploraVision
ExploraVision is a competition for all students in grades K-12 attending a school in the U.S., Canada, U.S. Territory or a Department of Defense school. Homeschooled students are eligible to enter. It is designed to encourage students to combine their imagination with their knowledge of science and technology to explore visions of the future. Teams of students select a technology, research how it works and why it was invented, and then project how that technology may change in the future. They must then identify what breakthroughs are required for their vision to become a reality and describe the positive and negative consequences of their technology on society. Winning ideas have focused on things as simple as ballpoint pens and as complex as satellite communications. The student teams write a paper and draw a series of Web page graphics to describe their idea. Regional winners make a Web site and a prototype of their future vision.
Handbook of Nature Study
Based on Charlotte Mason's method of education, this website offers ideas and resources for incorporation nature study into your homeschool.
How I Teach a Large Family in a Relaxed, Classical Way: Science
Family style learning is a great way to tackle lots of different subjects, including science.
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Featured Resources
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Greenleaf Press
Greenleaf Press is a small family-owned and operated publisher and supplier of quality books for children. They are committed to "twaddle-free", living books, and approach teaching history to children using biography and chronology. You will find sections in the catalog covering each major historical period in order, with a variety of biographies, reference books, and historical fiction. For Israel, Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance and Reformation there are Greenleaf Stu...
The Complete Home Learning Source Book : The Essential Resource Guide for Homeschoolers, Parents, and Educators Covering Every Subject from Arithmetic to Zoology
This ambitious reference guide lives up to its name. Practically three inches thick--and we're not talking large print here--it's packed with titles, ordering information, and Web site addresses. From where to send away for a kit to make your own Chilean rain stick to how to order a set of Elizabethan costume paper dolls, the book connects families to a world of learning possibilities. Book titles, short synopses, authors' names, publishers, and years of print make up the bulk of the guide. Clas...
Total Language Plus
Total Language Plus is an innovative curriculum focused on teaching thinking and communication skills using literature as a base. The authors believe an integrated system is more efficient than a fragmented approach, discovery style learning is the most effective and learning should be enjoyable. The "discover, do, drill" method is employed throughout the TLP program with activities focusing on thinking skills. These comprehensive novel studies cover spelling, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, a...
The Outdoor Life of Children: The Importance of Nature Study and Outside Activities (Charlotte Mason Topics - Volume 2
The methods of Charlotte Mason are popular among homeschoolers. She includes nature study as a crucial element. This work explores the idea of the outdoors as a classroom for children, and gives tips on ways of teaching the sciences, history, literature, music, and art through the use of outdoor space.
The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home
This book will instruct you, step by step, on how to give your child an academically rigorous, comprehensive education from preschool through high school. Two veteran home educators outline the classical pattern of education—the trivium—which organizes learning around the maturing capacity of the child's mind: the elementary school "grammar stage," the middle school "logic stage," and the high school "rhetoric stage." Using the trivium as your model, you'll be able to instruct your child in all ...