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We invite you to bring your class to Queen Wilhelmina State Park. This on-line handbook was prepared to help teachers discover the variety of programs offered at Queen Wilhelmina State Park for schools. Each of the listed programs supports the state curriculum standards. If your class needs a talk or activity about a theme that is not listed, we will make every reasonable effort to either develop it or find another park that could meet your need. Please look over this list and see how Queen Wilhelmina State Park can help your school.
We like for schools to visit the park. Schools have chosen to come here for a long time. The first field trip we know of was in 1925, long before we became a state park. The scenic views and beautiful forest setting were enough of an attraction to make a trip here worthwhile. They still are. Add in interpretive programs that reinforce school frameworks, miniature train ride, wildlife rehabilitation center, put-put golf, trails, playground, picnic area, and full size steam engine and you have the ingredients for a field trip with the right combination of learning and fun.
The interpretive programs listed in the on-line handbook, playground, picnic area, and trails are offered by the park staff and are free. The train, golf, and wildlife rehab center are private concessions of the park and charge $3.00 per child for each activity. You can create your own field trip to meet both recreational and educational needs. To make reservations for one of the listed programs, call 1-800-264-2477 or e-mail brad.holleman@arkansas.gov. To contact the train/golf concession call 479-437-3331 or 479-394-4221. To contact the Arkansas Native Plant and Wildlife Center call 479-437-3750 or 479-243-0976. You can do one or all of the activities. Just call the numbers of the corresponding activity and make your reservation. We often divide large groups and rotate them through several activities. The park staff and the concessionaires work together to make a memorable field trip for the kids.
The weather can be a problem with any outdoor activities. Queen Wilhelmina State Park is 2600 feet above sea level. This means that it is usually 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the local community. We often have a breeze to go with these cooler temperatures. The kids need to be reminded of this and dress warmer than they would for school. Even in May, a jacket and long pants are a good idea.
Many of the programs listed in the on-line Teacher Handbook can be presented at the school. We make every effort to visit local schools and reservations can be made by calling 1-800-264-2477 or e-mail brad.holleman@arkansas.gov . We will get back to you as soon as possible. We need to know:
- Your name
- The school name
- Telephone number or e-mail address
- Grade and number of students
- Date and time you would like program
If there are no scheduling conflicts, we will make the reservation and develop a plan for the field trip. Depending on the activities, number and age of students, etc., it will determine where we will meet you in the park and how we can best serve your group. If we are already booked, we will work out an alternative date if possible.
Select from one of the programs listed below.
Animal Adaptation
Objective: To show that each species has physical and behavioral adaptations that ensures its survival.
Program Description: Through the use of real "stuffed" animals, pantomime, and games, concepts of animal adaptation will be revealed. Program requires students to use critical thinking skills.
Grade Level: Any
Length: 30 minutes
Group Size: 1 class to entire grade level
Arkansas Frameworks
K-4 Science
- LS.2.1.8. Identify the features of plants and animals that enable them to live in different environments.
- LS.2.10. Understand that organisms are interdependent.
- LS3.4. Explore careers related to life sciences.
5-8 Science
- LS.2.9. Explain how physical and/or behavioral characteristics of organisms help them to adapt and survive in their environments.
- LS.3.5. Investigate a variety of careers related to life sciences.
Animal Tracks
Objective: To make students aware of the characteristics of the tracks of animals that live in western Arkansas.
Program Description: After identifying the tracks of various species found in western Arkansas, the children will make track prints using rubber animal tracks.
Grade Level: K-3
b 20 - 30 minutes
Group Size: 1 class
Arkansas Frameworks
K-4 Arkansas History
- PPE.2.1. Explain how geography and the environment affect the way people live in Arkansas.
- PPE.2.3. Distinguish the six natural geographic regions recognizing the highland/lowland areas of Arkansas.
- PPE.2.4. Compare and contrast the features of Arkansas' rural and urban geographic areas.
- PPE.2.5. Understand the various types of maps and how to use them.
- SSPS.1.2. Interpret information from visual aids, such as charts, graphs and maps.
K-4 Science
- ES.2.3. Identify the natural divisions of Arkansas.
5-8 Arkansas History
- PPE.2.1. Analyze how humans have adapted to, altered, and been affected by physical environments in Arkansas.
- PPE.2.3. Distinguish similarities and differences among the six natural geographic regions of Arkansas.
5-8 Science
- ES.2.5. Describe and model the natural divisions of Arkansas.
Bats
Objective: To introduce students to bats and their special adaptations.
Program Description: After a short discussion of the benefits, and possible dangers, of bats, students will participate in an interactive game that will show how bats use echolocation.
Grade Level: Grade 2
Length: 30 minutes
Group Size: 2 classes
Arkansas Frameworks
K-4 Science
- LS.2.7. Understand that offspring are similar to their parents.
- LS.2.8. Identify the features of plants and animals that enable them to live in different environments.
- LS.2.10. Understand that organisms are interdependent.
Bears
Objective: To expose students to the habits, foods, habitat, and history of the black bear.
Program Description: Through storytelling, puppet shows (K-2 only), and a real "stuffed" bear, students will learn how a once common animal almost became extinct but was saved through wildlife management. Along the way, the students will learn about the habits, foods, and habitat of the black bear.
Grade Level: K-1; 2 and up
Length: 30 minutes
Group Size: 2 classes
Arkansas Frameworks
K-4 Science
- LS.2.7. Understand that offspring are similar to their parents.
- LS.2.8. Identify the features of plants and animals that enable them to live in different environments.
- LS.2.10. Understand that organisms are interdependent.
Butterflies
Objective: To explore the life cycle of the most beautiful creature of the insect world.
Program Description: Students will learn about different types of butterflies and their host plants through the use of visual aids and discussion. May include a craft activity.
Grade Level: Any
Length: 30 minutes
Group Size: 2 classes
Arkansas Frameworks
K-4 Science
- LS.2.5. Explore the life cycle of organisms.
- LS.2.8. Identify the features of plants and animals that enable them to live in different environments.
- LS.2.9. Define and describe a food chain and a food web.
- LS.2.10. Understand that organisms are interdependent.
5-8 Science
- LS.2.5. Explain life cycles of various organisms.
- LS.2.9. Explain how physical and/or behavioral characteristics of organisms help them to adapt and survive in their environments.
- LS.2.12. Evaluate human impact on the environment.
Geology
Objective: To reduce the vastness of geologic time to an understandable scale for students.
Program Description: An object familiar to all the students will become a timeline representing the earth's history. Requires a large space for the activity.
Grade Level: 7-8
Length: 30 minutes
Group Size: 1 class
Arkansas Frameworks
5-8 Science
- ES.1.2. Understand that Earth and objects in space constantly undergo changes and/or cycles that can be observed and measured.
- ES.2.2. Understand the relationship that exists between rock formation, fossil evidence, and geological history and age of the Earth.
Native American Games
Objective: To enable the student to understand the similarities and differences between children of Pre-Colombian Native American cultures and modern children.
Program Description: Students will play chunkey, Zuni Indian toy, and several other games requiring eye-hand coordination played by various Native American people.
Grade Level: 3-6
Length: 30 minutes
Group Size: 1 class
Group Size: 1 class
K-4 Arkansas History
- TCC.1.4. Describe how history is a continuing story of people, places, and events.
- TCC.2.4. Explain how people, places, events, tools, institutions, attitudes, values, and ideas are the result of what has happened in the past.
5-8 Social Studies
- PPE.1.2. Demonstrate an understanding that one's identity is connected to ideas and traditions from the past and from other cultures.
Native American Tools and Weapons
Objective: To introduce students to weapons of Archaic Indians.
Program Description: Discussion of the evolution of weapons technology of Native American people. Explores the innovations made over a 12,000-year occupation of North America by Native Americans. Includes demonstration of atl-atl and blowgun.
Grade Level: Any
Length: 30 minutes
Group Size: 2 classes
Group Size: 2 classes
K-4 Arkansas History
- TCC.1.4. Describe how history is a continuing story of people, places, and events.
- TCC.2.4. Explain how people, places, events, tools, institutions, attitudes, values, and ideas are the result of what has happened in the past.
- PPE.2.7. Explore and communicate how technology affects the natural environment, agriculture, transportation, and communication.
5-8 Arkansas History
- TCC.2.1. Analyze how humans have adapted, altered, and been affected by physical environment in Arkansas.
Pioneers
Objective: To allow the students to empathize with the people of the late 1800s and early 1900s and to understand some of the differences in their lives and the present.
Program Description: Students will observe and learn about a number of pioneer tools, hear a story from the McGuffey Reader, and engage in several interactive activities. Best done in the park. Can be done at school if an appropriate site is available.
Grade Level: 5th
Length: 30 minutes
Group Size: 2 classes
Arkansas Frameworks
5-8 Arkansas History
- TCC.1.4. Analyze how past decisions and events affect subsequent decisions throughout Arkansas's history.
- PPE.2.1. Analyze how humans have adapted to, altered, and been affected by physical environments in Arkansas.
- PDC.1.2. Assess how goods and services are limited by available natural and human resources requiring individuals and societies to make choices to satisfy wants and needs.
Snakes
Objective: To teach students how to be safe from snakebites and to help them learn about the inherent risk of living with venomous snakes.
Program Description: Interactive program using volunteers from the group to illustrate key points. Students could meet a live snake, if one is available. Live snake may not be available during some portions of the year.
Grade Level: Middle School
Length: 30 minutes
Group Size: 2 classes
Arkansas Frameworks
K-4 Science
- LS.2.7. Understand that offspring are similar to their parents.
- LS.2.8. Identify the features of plants and animals that enable them to live in different environments.
- LS.2.9. Define and describe a food chain and a food web.
- LS.2.10. Understand that organisms are interdependent.
5-8 Science
- LS.2.3. Arrange organisms into groups according to similarities and differences.
- LS.2.4. Identify the requirements for living organisms.
Star Lab
(available only during certain times of the year)
Objective: To make students aware that the stars are divided into groupings called constellations, that the constellations appear to move as the Earth rotates and revolves, to learn to recognize some of the brighter constellations and to understand patterns that occur in nature.
Program Description: After a brief discussion in the classroom to define some concepts, students will be taken to a miniature inflatable planetarium for a closer look at the night sky. Requires very large dark space (the size of an empty classroom) with 12 foot ceiling.
Grade Level: 3 and up
Length: 45 minutes (15 in classroom; 30 in Star Lab)
Group Size: 1 class
Arkansas Frameworks
K-4 Science
- ES.2.8. Analyze the features and motions of the sun, moon, earth, and other celestial bodies (e.g., solar system, moon phases, earth's rotation and revolution).
- ES.3.4. Understand how earth/space systems connect to other disciplines.
5-8 Science
- ES.1.2. Understand that Earth and objects in space constantly undergo changes and/or cycles that can be observed and measured.
- ES.2.9. Investigate the predictable motion of objects in space in explaining phenomena such as day, night, moon phases, ocean tides, and eclipses.
- ES.2.14. Relate the physical characteristics of the sun to other stars.
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