NORTH REGION Gene Stratton-Porter, Rome City

NORTH REGION

FALL 2022 – SUMMER 2023

GENE STRATTON-PORTER

Cabin at Wildflower Woods

Gene Stratton-Porter, an accomplished Hoosier author of novels and nature studies, was one of the foremost naturalists of her time. She also formed a production company that made eight of her own books into motion pictures. This location includes her original 1914 cabin and 148 acres of fields, woods and beautiful formal gardens with 35 beds along the shores of Sylvan Lake. Students can get hands-on with nature in the environmental resource center which focuses on Gene’s passions – birds, plants, moths and more.

Natural history, environmental science, early 20th-century culture (1913-1925), multidisciplinary focus through art, science, reading and writing

1205 Pleasant Point, Rome City, IN 46784 260.854.3790 genestrattonportershs@indianamuseum.org indianamuseum.org/gsp Programs supported by:

SCHOOL GROUP TOURS

K-Grade 12

Fee: Admission is FREE for pre-registered, accredited schools or homeschool groups of 10 or more K-12 students. Free admission includes teachers and bus drivers, plus one additional adult chaperone per every five students. Additional chaperones pay the group admission rate of $7/person.

Contact site for non-Indiana student rate.

Pre-registration required at least two weeks in advance.

This school group tour includes a guided tour of Gene’s cabin, and students can explore Gene’s garden and grounds. Students will learn how this author and naturalist infused her personality into her home during its construction and see many of the region’s beautiful wildflowers Gene transplanted to her garden.

GUIDED TOUR THROUGH SOWERS WOODS K-Grade 12 Length: 45–60 minutes Fee: $2/student

Students will explore Indiana’s natural heritage and see what plants and flowers are currently in bloom.

CONNECT CONNECT programs allow you to explore one of our 11 locations across the state in the comfort of your classroom or home with a free, 30-minute live virtual broadcast in place of a fieldtrip. See all CONNECT programs across the state.

GENE STRATTON-PORTER'S CABIN AND LIFE 1913-PRESENT DAY Grades 3-12 2022 dates: Sept. 7, Oct. 5, Nov. 9, Dec. 7 2023 dates: Feb. 1, March 1, April 5 11 a.m.

Take a brief virtual tour of the inside of Gene’s cabin and learn about some of the unique traits she designed for each space. Q&A session will follow to help students learn more about Gene and her work.

Indiana Academic Standards EXPLORE Whether it’s at the site, outreach or virtual, we offer hands-on, exploratory and interactive programs on a variety of topics that provide your students a fun way to learn about Indiana’s people, places and things. All programs fulfill select Indiana Academic Standards. See next page for topics.

AT SITE or OUTREACH DETAILS Length: 45-60 minutes Max. number of students: 25 Cost: $2/student Travel fees: 30-60 miles=$20; 60-90 miles=$40; 90+ miles=$60

VIRTUAL DETAILS Length: 45-60 minutes Cost: $75/class

ECO WEB K-Grade 5 Available: at site, outreach

Uncover the balance of the ecosystem and see how every part of it is connected. Discover and learn about the different relationships between all levels of life in a specific ecosystem in an interactive game.

Indiana Academic Standards

POND DIP K-Grade 5 Available: virtual

Wednesday through Friday in late April through late June, depending on water levels. Two-weeks advanced notice needed to conduct program on Monday or Tuesday.

Get an up-close peek at some of the macroinvertebrates that live in our ponds and wetlands. Learn about the life cycle of insects and how important they are to the ecosystem. Classroom packets consist of printed macroinvertebrate identification sheets, macaroni metamorphosis activity and a list of reference books on wetlands.

Indiana Academic Standards

SPECIAL NATURE/ART/LITERATURE PROGRAM K-Grade 12 Available: at site, outreach

Gene Stratton-Porter wrote, drew, explored and photographed her natural surroundings. Create a similar experience for your students.

Indiana Academic Standards: to be discussed at time of reservation. TREE & LEAF ID STUDY K-Grade 12 Available: at site, outreach

Identify the different trees that grow in Wildflower Woods and discover the different things that affect a tree’s growth. Learn to age a tree through handson activities and discuss how to differentiate significant weather events just by the tree’s growth.

Indiana Academic Standards

WATER EXPLORATION K-Grade 12 Available: at site

Explore our local St. Joseph water shed and the water cycle while experimenting with some water quality testing to see how the environment is currently impacting the local water source. Then, use tools to sample water in several areas of the Hemingway Wetlands.

Indiana Academic Standards

WETLAND EXPLORATION K-Grade 12 Available: at site

Engage in a discussion of what a wetland is, what it does and how it works to keep our water healthy. Then, utilize our wetland exploration backpacks to dip for macroinvertebrates. Beware – students will get muddy!

Indiana Academic Standards

WETLAND & PRAIRIE PARTNERSHIP K-Grade 12 Available: at site

Get an up-close look at our restoration project and learn about the benefits of both the wetland and prairie. Find out what each does individually and how they work together to keep our water clean.

Indiana Academic Standards

GENE STRATTON-PORTER ODDITIES K-Grade 12 Available: virtual Fee: $50/session Year-round, Wednesday through Friday. Two-weeks advanced notice needed to conduct program on Monday or Tuesday.

Gene was an avid collector of a variety of items. Learn about some of the more unusual artifacts in Gene’s collections and get a peek into the collections that might go unnoticed.

Indiana Academic Standards

LEAF IDENTIFICATION K-Grade 12 Available: virtual Fee: $150/session includes classroom kit; $100/ additional session in same day Year-round, Wednesday through Friday. Two-weeks advanced notice needed to conduct program on Monday or Tuesday.

Learn about the trees that thrive around Gene’s Cabin and in the Limberlost Swamp. This session will cover various leaf and tree types found throughout the region. This can be adjusted to grade level, getting into the function and growth patterns of trees, forest types and uses of trees. Classroom kits consist of printed tree identification sheets, a tree factory activity (suitable for grades 3-6), leaves and bark from various trees, and reference sheets for tree books. PLANT STUDY Grades 9–12 (program can be adjusted for younger students) Available: at site, outreach

Investigate plant identification methods by examining the plants that grow in Wildflower Woods. Take an up-close look at the various parts of a plant.

Indiana Academic Standards

DESIGN YOUR VISIT Educators may request a specialty program on-site or in the classroom for an additional fee. Program topics include natural history, environmental science and multi-disciplinary learning. Call 260.854.3790 for details.