Bring the Museum to your school! The Florida Museum currently offers five Inquiry Box outreach programs for use in the classroom. All activities are designed to integrate social studies, language arts, math and science in a unified learning experience.

Suitable for: All ages but geared to K-3rd grade

Participants will:

• Discover the great variety of reptiles and amphibians that make their home in Florida: crocodilians, snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs and salamanders.
• Learn how reptiles and amphibians are the same and how they are different.
• Hold a snake shed and learn why and how snakes shed their skin.
• Learn what a tadpole is and how it is part of the transformation from egg to frog through the process called metamorphosis.
• Discover the difference between warm blooded and cold blooded animals by using a simple thermometer.

Shared Boxes

The Florida’s Reptiles and Amphibian Inquiry Box (2 green suitcases) contains books (both fiction and nonfiction), a video, 6 replicas, word cards, laminated teaching aids and a teacher’s guide (including a suggested approach sheet). This Inquiry Box features 14 shared boxes, each designed to be explored by 1-3 students.

Each box contains:

• Envelope A contains a real snake shed.
• Envelope B has a hands on camouflage activity.
• Envelope C contains a flat thermometer.
• Envelope D contains 6 frog metamorphosis cards.
• 2 sock puppets.
• Replica of a snapping turtle.

This Inquiry Box was designed using the Sunshine State Standards and is intended to enhance FCAT preparation.

Suggested Links

Herpetology – Florida Museum of Natural History

Reptiles & Amphibians for Kids – Smithsonian National Zoo

Frogs and Toads of Florida – University of Florida Wildlife Extension

Ready to reserve an Inquiry Box and/or presentation? Please email alopez@floridamuseum.ufl.edu or call 352-294-6950.