Teacher Resources

Student reading butterfly guideStark Parks offers curriculum-based programming for schools (grades K-12) as well as informative sessions for organized groups including civic and service clubs, seniors, homeschoolers, and scouts. Programs focus on a variety of topics centered around the outdoors, nature and wildlife.

Requested programs for your group can be conducted at our park and trail locations or at your site.  Request a program using the button below.

Request Period

Program requests can be made on the first of each month for the following year.   For example, on January 1, 2025, requests are open through January 2026 and on February 1, 2025, requests open through February 2026.

Requested Program Guidelines

Due to high demand, please adhere to the following guidelines to help provide opportunities for all:

  • Requests should be made at least one month in advance
  • School classrooms are limited to one requested program per academic year
  • Civic, community, YMCA, or scout groups are limited to one requested program per calendar year
  • If multiple presentations are requested on the same day, at the same location, they must be consecutive
  • Most programs are 45-60 minutes in length
  • Most programs are limited to 100 participants
  • No birthday parties and off-site preschool programs
  • Programs are conducted rain or shine; however, schedules or starting times can be adjusted according to staff availability
  • All submitted requests are tentative until confirmed by a Stark Parks staff member. Please allow up to 7 days to be contacted

Program Topics

Science and Nature

  • Water Quality (At Stark Parks)
    • Assess water quality based on the organisms found in a body of water with this hands-on program. With the use of nets, sifting pans, and ID charts, participants will explore a local wetland collecting macroinvertebrates and recording their data to determine the overall health of the water.
  • Native Pollinators of Ohio (At Stark Parks/At Your Location)
    • This program highlights the importance of native pollinator species to their environment. Through educational games and discussion, participants will learn what a pollinator is, how they maintain a healthy ecosystem, and what impacts we humans have on them.
  • Beekeeping (At Your Location/At Quail Hollow Park)
    • Learn about honeybees along with the knowledge and skills needed to start the hobby of Beekeeping. Participants will learn the biology of honeybees, their seasonal behavior, and how to maintain a beehive. With hands-on experience using beekeeping equipment, supplies, and a mock hive, this program offers an engaging beekeeping experience.
  • Backyard Habitats (At Stark Parks/At Your Location)
    • Discover ways to introduce native flora and fauna to your backyard. Participants will learn the importance of conservation and how to create a healthy habitat of food, water, shelter, and space for local.
  • Exploration Hike (At Stark Parks)
    • Hike a Stark Park’s trail to explore the ways different animals and plants adapt to their environment. Participants will make observations and learn about the habitats of Ohio through interactive activities and engaging exploration.

Wildlife

  • Ohio Wildlife (At Stark Parks/At Your Location)
    • Participants will learn about the behaviors, habitats, and adaptations of wildlife species in Ohio. During this program, participants will get a chance to meet some of our wildlife ambassadors. This program aligns with the Ohio Department of Education’s Learning Standards-based on the grade/age level requested. A representative of the following classes will be presented, animal-permitting, at program – a mammal, a bird, a reptile and an amphibian.
  • Wildlife Rehabilitation (At Stark Parks/At Your Location)
    • Understand the importance of wildlife rehabilitation for injured, orphaned, or displaced wild animals. Participants will learn about the daily operations of the Wildlife Conservation Center, what to do if you find an injured animal, and get a chance to meet some of our wildlife ambassadors who call the Wildlife Center home.

History

  • Manor House Tour (At Quail Hollow Park/At Your Location)
    • Explore the history of the H.B. Stewart Manor House at Quail Hollow Park. Participants will get a glimpse into the life of the Stewart family during a guided tour through the 40-room house. A PowerPoint presentation is available for off-site programs.
  • Magnolia Flouring Mill Tour (At Magnolia Flouring Mills/At Your Location)
    • Explore the iconic 1834 mill in Magnolia. Participants will hear how innovation, transportation, and community connections transformed the Magnolia Flouring Mills from a small-town mill to a nationally recognized producer. A PowerPoint presentation is available for off-site programs.

Traveling Trunks

Each portable trunk comes equipped with lesson plans and materials for hands-on learning!  Trunks are loaned to you for two weeks.  Please use the Request a Program form above for Traveling Trunks.

Trunks are available for free to Stark County residents and/or schools.

 

 

Bird Wing with poster next to it

Traveling Trunk Topics

Bats and Birds: Learn what makes our uniquely flighted friends similar, yet very different.  This trunk includes interactive games outlining characteristics shared between bats and birds and their extreme differences. The trunk contains field guides for easy identification, making it a perfect companion for nature enthusiasts eager to spot these creatures in the wild. For our younger explorers, it offers a collection of captivating children's books, blending entertainment with education. Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or a curious beginner, this trunk is your passport to an educational voyage through the skies.

Plants and Insects: Plants and insects, they can’t live without one another! This trunk is a gateway to understanding the interconnected web of nature, designed to inspire awe and appreciation for the vital bond between flora and fauna. Educational materials include real insect and plant specimens, informative guides, and charts illustrating ways plants and insects rely on each other for survival, and how the balance of our ecosystem relies on it. For our younger nature enthusiasts, it offers a collection of engaging children's books, weaving tales that bring to life the enchanting world of plants and insects.

Wildlife A&B: Unpack the mysteries and embark on a thrilling adventure of discovery with mammals, birds, reptiles, and other fascinating creatures using wildlife guides. From identifying tracks to understanding behavior, these guides serve as companions for nature enthusiasts eager to unravel the secrets of the animal kingdom. Feel the textures of the wild with mammal pelts, snake sheds, and intricately detailed skulls. These tangible artifacts provide a tactile connection to the incredible diversity of species, allowing you to explore the unique characteristics that make each creature a marvel of nature.