Kits - WCEE Library

Kits

Are you looking for hands-on teaching resources for a specific topic? There is an amazing array of educational kits available to educators. Many of these kits can be borrowed for a few weeks at a time and contain fun hands-on props, posters, puppets, and activity guides. Click on the item you are interested in to learn how you can borrow one for your classroom, club, or nature center today. The WCEE is now allowing some kits to be shipped for a fee paid by the borrower.

Check out our new Tree ID Kit here!

General Environmental Education Kits KEEP Energy Education Kits LEAF Forestry Education Kits

General Environmental Education Kits

Bat Kits (K-6) Educators may check out one of Wisconsin's bat educational kits for use in the classroom free of charge. There is a K-3 kit and a 4-6 kit. Each kit contains a teacher's guide to help the educator share information about bats, as well as many bat-friendly books, posters, and videos. Request this kit
Bat Kits (7-12) This kit is provided by Project EduBat and is designed to help educators explore the wonders of bats with middle and high school students through fun, hands-on activities. The kit includes information to educate students about the ecological and economic importance of bats, as well as the threat that White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) poses. For more resources on WNS, visit Project EduBat's website. Request this kit
Bird Monitoring Kit The bird monitoring kit contains the tools to help introduce birds to students, build observing skills of birds in nature, and help them gain more knowledge about birds. Request this kit
Enviroscape We all live in a watershed with water pollution coming from many sources. This model allows you to visually demonstrate what stormwater pollution and runoff look like. Rent the Enviroscape Watershed/Nonpoint Source Model for free from the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education Resource Library for your classroom today! This item cannot be shipped. You must pick it up and drop it off. EnviroScape - Wetland Checklist.pdf Request this kit
Emerald Ash Borer Kit This identification kit will give you the skills to recognize the signs of an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation. You will also learn where these beetles came from and why they are causing so many problems. The kit includes adult and larval samples of the beetle, along with bark samples showing typical EAB galleries. More information on EAB in Wisconsin Request this kit
Fish Hotel Kit Explore the effects of shoreline trees on Wisconsin fish species with the Fish Hotel Kit. The kit developed by the University of Wisconsin-Division of Extension Center for Land Use Education at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point contains a variety of instructional materials designed to help students learn about the benefits of leaving trees in lakes. Trees in lakes not only provide areas for fish to spawn but also offer shelter to help some species protect their incubating brood. Large submerged trees can host entire fish communities! Recommended for educators of grades K-8. The Fish Hotels Kit includes: A Second Life for Trees in Lakes - Teacher resource booklet My Lakeshore Field Journal* Fish Hotel, fiction - Full-color, hardcover picture book* Fish of Wisconsin Field Guide Water's Edge - Teacher resource booklet Fish Hotels, non-fiction (20 student copies) - Full-color, companion booklet Fish Hotel Lesson Plan Wisconsin Lakes Trivia Game Fish Hotels Poster A Second Life for Trees Poster Game Fish of Wisconsin Poster Little Fishies of Wisconsin Poster Large Mouth Bass Plush Toy Video links to short videos of fish swimming through real fish hotels *The books marked by an asterisk are tailored to the Wisconsin standards for science for grades 3-5 (Standards SCI.LS1 and SCI.LS2) but have been used with a wide variety of audiences, including camps and special education classrooms. Download curriculum and resources Fish Hotel Kit Checklist.pdf Request this kit
Fishing for Fun Backpacks These kits are assembled and maintained by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office in La Crosse, WI, and its friend's group, Friends of the Upper Mississippi Fishery Services. The packs are also available in the greater La Crosse area through libraries in the Winding Rivers Library System. Backpacks have an aquatic theme with hands-on activities relating to fishing, freshwater mussels, aquatic invertebrates, and spending time near water bodies. Request this kit
Great Lakes Invasive Species Identification Kit This kit can be used to help teach students of all ages how to recognize some of the most common invasive species that are harming the Great Lakes. An activity guide is also included to help you learn why these species are causing problems and how to stop their spread. The kit includes 10 preserved examples of both animal and plant species. Request this kit
Groundwater Model The Groundwater Model is an interactive classroom tool designed to show the flow of water and toxins through differing gradients. It can be used in front of the classroom and is easily used by students themselves. It demonstrates the flowage through confined and unconfined aquifers as well as the effects of pumping these aquifers. This item cannot be shipped. You must pick it up and drop it off. Request this kit
Impervious Surfaces Kit Examine what happens to rain as it travels across pervious and impervious surfaces. This kit contains materials for a surface demonstration along with resources and posters that can be used to help students understand run-off and the impact it has on our lakes, rivers, and streams and the fish that live there. Download Curriculum & Resources (Understanding Community Systems Impervious Surfaces and Flood Control Lesson) Impervious Surfaces Kit Checklist.pdf Request this kit
Wildlife Track Kits These North American wildlife tracks can be used to supplement your lessons on ecosystems, develop creative art projects, or enhance animal information sheets in your classroom or nature center. Each track is anatomically accurate and made from durable resin. Request this kit
KEEP Energy Education Kits
Energy Kit The Energy Education Kit is full of educational resources available for Wisconsin educators to borrow. The kit was developed with the middle school student in mind, specifically grades 5-7. They contain materials for five popular KEEP activities, as well as energy education videos and hands-on resources. Energy Kit Checklist.pdf Download activities utilized in the Energy Kit: At Watt Rate Circuit Circus Cost of Using Energy Diminishing Returns Station Break Energy Kit is being updated! Please check back in 2023!
Energy Audit Kit The Energy Audit Kit includes easy-to-use tools to perform simple energy assessments and behavior investigations in the classroom. Monitor plug load, moisture, light, and temperature levels to find energy loss in any building. Aids in integrating technology into math and science curriculum. Energy Audit Kit includes: 5 watt meters 5 Infrared thermometers 5 light meters 5 digital indoor thermo-hygrometers 5 flicker checkers 1 handheld thermal imaging camera 1 thermal imaging camera for smartphone or tablet* 1 battery charger for thermal imaging camera attachment 1 heavy-duty carrying case 1 set of related curriculum activities *Must download the FLIR ONE app for apple or android to turn your phone or tablet into a thermal camera. Check to see if your device is compatible with the FLIR ONE Gen 3. Energy Audit Best Practices.pdf Access Kit Curriculum for Conducting an Energy Audit Access Kit Curriculum for Discovering Energy Outdoors Request this kit Milwaukee educators! Click here to reserve a We Energies Energy Audit Kit from REFLO. Or... Contact our We Energies host site for a kit near you: Missie Muth Principal Customer Program Manager – Customer Experience WEC Energy Group – Business Services 414-221-2380 Missie.muth@wecenergygroup.com Green Bay educators! Click here to reserve a WPS Energy Audit Kit from Brown County Extension & Einstein Project. (Located at Brown County STEM Innovation Center) Or... Contact our WPS host site for a kit near you: Wisconsin Public Service (Green Bay) Miranda Esser Customer Program Associate & SolarWise Manager 414-221-4173 miranda.esser@wisconsinpublicservice.com CESA 3 Educators: Contact our CESA 3 host site for a kit near you: Tom Martin Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator tmartin@cesa3.org 608-822-2154 Darly Burton RCP coordinator dburton@cesa3.org 608-822-2147 Create Your Own Energy Audit Kit! Use this Tool Models Energy Audit_2018.pdf to find specific equipment models to create your own energy audit kit.
Energy Audit Kit - Take-home Have students go beyond the classroom to explore the energy they use daily. This kit includes the tools and information needed to explore various energy uses in the home, including how many appliances pull phantom loads in your home or whether your refrigerator temperature is at its most efficient setting. Take-home Energy Audit Kit includes: Up to 100 student take-home vinyl bags with a watt meter Digital thermometer Investigation booklet Activity worksheets Take-home Energy Audit Kit Content Checklist.pdf Download kit curriculum and worksheets Looking for ways to expand energy education in your classroom? Check out our School-to-Home Menu to explore how in-class field trips and visits amplify your energy lessons. Request this kit
Hand-Crank Generator The Hand-Crank Generator is a great tool for learning the difference between an incandescent light bulb and a light-emitting diode (LED). Use your cranking power to discover how much energy it takes to light up two different light bulbs. As you crank, a generator transforms your muscle power into electrical energy. Request this kit
Pedal Power The Pedal Power® is a tool that you can use in your classroom to teach about energy production, use, and conservation. Students can actually ride a stationary bike to power a generator, which in turn powers an incandescent light bulb, a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), a LED light bulb, a hair dryer, a radio, and a fan. A photovoltaic (PV) panel is available for use to power the equipment above as well. Pedal Power Checklist.pdf Request this kit *This item cannot be shipped. You must pick it up and drop it off.* Other Pedal Power Locations: Fennimore: Contact Tom Martin at CESA #3 for more information about their Energy Bike (not a Pedal Power) available to schools who subscribe to the CESA #3 Media Center/van service. tmartin@cesa3.org or 608.822.2154. Madison: Madison Gas & Electric (MGE) has a Pedal Power available to their customers. Please contact Mario Garcia at jgarciasierra@mge.com or call 608.252.4742. Milwaukee: Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful, 1313 W Mt. Vernon Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53233. Contact Betsy Bolte for more information, at 414.272.5462. To reserve, please fill out this reservation form.
Solar Tilt Kit Solar photovoltaic lpanels can be used to collect sunlight and turn it into clean, renewable electricity. The Solar Tilt Kit includes apparatus that will allow students to take on the role of a Solar installer or Solar Design Engineer as they explore how solar panels can be used to generate electricity and how a variety of factors like the angle of the sun, the angle of the solar panel, cloud cover, etc. can impact the amount of electricity generated. Solar Tilt Kit Includes: 12 Solar Panels with stands 12 Multimeters 1 Light Meter 1 100-Watt LED Flood/Work Light 12 sets of Wire Leads with Alligator Clips 12 Protractors 12 Compasses 6 Hand Crank Generators 1 Solar Power Meter/Pyranometer OPTIONAL ITEM: Solar Pathfinder with Tripod OPTIONAL ITEM: Solar Trackers (up to 4 available) Solar Tilt Checklist.pdf Download Lessons to Use with this Kit: Solar Tilt Kit Google Slideshow Lesson for Middle School/High School (can be modified for upper elementary) KEEP Solar Tilt Investigation Student Sheet (to accompany slideshow lesson) Elementary Solar Tilt Kit Lesson - How Solar Panels Generate Electricity Schoolyard Shadows Data Table (student sheet for Elementary Solar Tilt Kit lesson) Elementary Solar Electricity Generation Lab Sheet Request this Kit
Sun Oven The Global Sun Oven is a great tool that cooks delicious treats while students learn about the potential of the sun's power. Use the Sun Oven to spark a discussion on the possibilities and benefits of using renewable energy, like solar thermal energy. The oven comes with two cooking pans. This item cannot be shipped. You must pick it up and drop it off. Sun Oven Checklist.pdf Request this Kit
Wind Kit Students learn about wind through reading and hands-on activities that focus on inquiry and observation. Students learn how wind is formed and used as an energy source. They will explore ways to measure wind speed and direction and investigate how wind works and generates electricity. Students are challenged to choose the optimum blades for a turbine by collecting and analyzing data from multimeters. The kit comes with an activity binder correlated to NGSS and Wisconsin State Science Standards. This kit is recommended for K-8 students but includes activities adaptable for older grades. Wind Kit includes: 1 activity binder 5 digital wind speed meters 5 anemometers 2 Horizon wind turbines 1 compass teaching kit with 12 hand compasses 2 digital pocket multimeters various fiction and non-fiction books focused on wind energy Wind Kit Checklist.pdf Request this kit
LEAF Forestry Education Kits
BioBlitz Kit Series The BioBlitz Kit Series provides hands-on resources to enhance outdoor teaching activities. Students will be able to measure, graph, and collect data in any school ground setting. Get your students excited and engaged with one or all of the kits. Each kit is available to check out separately or together, depending on availability. Request this kit
Digital Herbarium (K-12) The Northern Forest Digital Herbarium contains a digital and print archive of 200 plant specimens that includes a user guide to foster awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship of Wisconsin’s Northern Forests for learners of all ages. Each specimen is printed in color on 11x17 paper and includes its Anishinaabe name, habitat, and interesting notes. The herbarium was created by the University of Wisconsin-Extension (Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center), CESA 12, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, and USDA Forest Service. Request this kit
Edible Forest Reference Kit A wide range of subjects are included in the books and other publications in this reference kit. Reference materials provide information on permaculture, orchards, foraging, and everything in between. Use the kit to help you decide what path to follow and what resources to purchase for your own use. Request this kit
Forest Exploration Toolkit for Early Childhood Education Help young children get in touch with nature through a new resource kit you can check out to explore the forest in your backyard or neighborhood. Each Kit Contains: Animal track cards Leaf rubbing plates Bug magnifying viewer Magnifying Glass Naturally Developing Young Brains nature discovery cards Folding reference field guides for Wisconsin's Wildflowers & Trees Books: Tracks, Scats, and Signs Good-Night Owl Look What I did with a Leaf Insects Wild About WI Birds Mammals of Wisconsin In Grandpa's Woods Field guides: Amphibians, Snakes, Turtles, and Lizards Trees of WI Field Guide Wisconsin wildlife species fact cards Wee Recyclers Activity Booklet Wee Crafts Activity Booklet Instructional Materials Wisconsin Project Learning Tree Early Childhood Activity Guide and Music & Movement CD Project Learning Tree Family and Friends Activity Booklet Read & Explore in Wisconsin State Parks reading list Request this kit
Forestry Education Kits The high school forestry education kits contain equipment and tools to teach tree identification and management, plot investigations, and navigation using compasses. Request this kit
Forest Health Kits The forest kits contain equipment and tools to teach about invasive species, disease, and other aspects that impact the health of a forest. Request this kit
Forest Products Kit The Forest Products kit allows students to learn about forest products, and associated careers, through hands-on exploration. Students will be able to Track that Product: From Forest to Finish, explore a forest product case study, and trace a product’s journey through the forest, processing, and product. Each case study includes information about the tree, properties that make it important for specific products, and samples of the products themselves. In addition, students can compare 12 specially engraved wood blocks of common Wisconsin tree species used in forest products and explore wood properties, density, and cell structure. In line with both teacher and industry demands, the kit contains a mix of career-focused resources and literacy components. There is no fee for using the kits, but users are responsible for the loss or damage of kit contents. The forest products kit is a result of a partnership between the DNR’s Forest Products staff and LEAF. Learn what is inside the kit View our host sites for a kit near you! Request this kit
LEAF K-8th Grade Kits LEAF K-8th Grade Kits correspond to the K-1st grade, 2nd-3rd grade, 4th grade, 5-6th grade, and 7-8th grade LEAF Lesson Guides. These kits contain supplemental lesson materials, fiction and non-fiction books focused on Wisconsin forests, and equipment for students to use when exploring the forest. Each kit is different based on the lessons within each guide. Visit the Kits' Web page to request one of the kits
* NEW * Tree ID Kit LEAF’s Tree ID kit includes everything an educator needs to confidently work with students to master the skills of identifying trees that are native to Wisconsin. The kit pairs well with LEAF’s Field Enhancement 1, Tree Identification lesson or can be used independently as part of any Tree ID lesson. The kit also includes Climate Change Field Guides that will help students assess the impact a changing climate can have on trees in their communities. Tree ID Kit includes: LEAF Tree ID Cards with Answer Key (41 species) Forest Trees of Wisconsin Booklets (30) LEAF Winter Tree ID Key (15) LEAF Tree ID Key (30) LEAF Tree Identification Terms Student Sheets (30) Tree Species from the Digital Herbarium (34 species) Wisconsin Urban Tree Key (15) Climate Change Field Guides (1 for Southern WI Forests, 1 for Northern WI Forests) Forest Trees of Wisconsin Poster (5) 7-8 LEAF Field Enhancement 1: Tree Identification Dichotomous Key to Identify Students (from 7-8 FE1: Tree ID) (15 keys, 2 sets of cards) K-1 Field Enhancement 1: All About My Tree LEAF Resources to Use with the Tree ID Kit: Grades 3-12: LEAF Field Enhancement 1: Tree Identification Grades PK-2: LEAF K-1 Field Enhancement 1: All About My Tree LEAF Tree ID Kit Checklist.pdf Request this Kit
Wildland Fire Kit The Wildland Fire Kit includes equipment to model what professional wildland firefighters use in the field. It includes protective gear, digging tools, mapping devices, and weather-monitoring equipment. Increase literacy skills with various fiction and non-fiction books focused on wildland firefighting and the cultural and historic practices of fire management. Pair this kit with LEAF's K-12 Wildland Fire Lesson Guide (included in the kit) to teach students basic wildland fire principles. Note: this kit is for educational purposes only. It is NOT to be used for firefighting. Wildland Fire Kit includes: 24 compasses 1 drip torch 1 set of fire gloves 1 flame-resistant shirt 1 hard hat 1 fire hoe* 1 fire pump 1 fire shelter 1 neck shroud 5 weather meters 1 K-12 Wildland Fire Lesson Guide *fire hoe cannot be shipped Fire Kit Checklist.pdf DNR Prescribed Fire Resources Request this Kit
Wood Identification Blocks Kit These wood identification blocks help bridge the gap between seeing pictures of trees in field guides and seeing the live tree itself! This kit contains 24 blocks of different species of wood. Each block is 4" by 2" by 1" in size. This is a great tool to help students and adults see and feel the difference in colors, grains, weights, and textures of wood. Request this kit