Siskiyou Environmental Education Center
Resources for Educators
Natural Science Study Kits
Over the past decade, MSEE students have created curricula and assembled resources for the development of hands-on Natural Science Study Kits. The kits are designed to teach broad concepts in the study of the natural world and simultaneously provide local specifics that help students to develop their relationship with our region. In recent years, demand for the kits by area teachers has steadily increased. Currently over 1500 students benefit from these activities yearly.
SEEC Kits Available for Check-out
Water Conservation Kit*
Other Resources for Check-out
Amphibian Toolbox* - This is a box of tools for collecting and identifying amphibians.
Binoculars - We have ten pairs of binoculars available for class field trips.
SEEC Library - SEEC houses a diverse library of natural science and environmental education resources.Our library contains science texts, nature-inspired novels and essays, education journals, Master's theses, educational videos, field guides, and a wide variety of curricula. The SEEC Library offers a variety of resources for any educator. If you would like to browse through our library or just come and say "hello," please give us a call so we can make sure someone is here.
How to check out Natural Science Study Kits
Kits are scheduled for check-out on a first come, first serve basis for a nominal charge of $10 per two week period. Kits can either be picked up at SOU or sent through the ESD courier service with the exception of the Insect Kit which is too fragile to be shipped and must be picked up at SOU. The total check-out period is two weeks including delivery and return time. The two-week check-out period begins on the day we send it out. Kits must be returned by the last day of the two-week period. Shipping takes two-three days. Plan ahead so that the kit is with you when you plan to use it, not leaving SOU. Also, please take care to return the kit in a timely manner because, often other teachers are waiting to use it. If more than one teacher intend to use the kit, extended check-out will be arranged. This is actually the ideal situation because it maximizes use of the kits and minimizes shipping and handling time, so please talk with your fellow teachers about sharing the kits!
The $10 check-out fee assists in keeping the kits in the best possible condition. SEEC recognizes that this fee may be cost-prohibitive for some programs. Fee waivers are available if the fee would prevent a program from using the kit. Kits marked with an * have no fee as they are maintained through partnerships with other organizations.
To check out or reserve a kit, call or email the SEEC office. We'll need to know what kits you intend to check out, when you want to check them out, and what delivery method you wish to use. One of us will get back to you with a confirmation. Demand for some kits is high, so make reservations well in advance.
As the SEEC office is closed during the Summer, kits are only available from October through May.
Educational Events and Classroom Outreach
SEEC also serves the community through the planning of educational events and projects, such as public forums, workshops, and conferences. MSEE students may be available to visit classrooms to make presentations and lead field trips. Contact us for more information about graduate student classroom visits.