The Montana State Parks education trunks are full of educational resources for classroom settings. They were developed with different age groups in mind and come with books, videos, hands-on resources and a Teachers Guide to help incorporate specific activities into your existing lesson plans. To borrow a trunk, contact the State Park directly to check for availability. The Parks staff will then arrange for shipping the trunk directly to your school.
This trunk provides activities and lesson plans pertaining to dinosaurs in Montana, especially those in the Glendive/Makoshika State Park area. Included are posters, bones, and videos. Geared toward younger students, although older students may be able to use some of the contents. Because the trunk is very large and may be costly to ship, it is recommended that a number of schools or organizations in an area arrange to share the trunk for a few weeks, transporting it from one place to another as needed.
Grade levels: K-12; geared mainly towards K-6 Contact: Ryan Sokoloski, Makoshika State Park, Box 1242, Glendive, MT 59330, (406) 365-6256. makoshika@mt.gov Cost: Shipping
This trunk focuses on archaeology in Montana. It contains pictograph and artifact replicas, a video, slide show, and lesson plans.
Grade level: 4-12 Contact: Terri Walters, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 2300 Lake Elmo Drive, Billings, MT 59105, (406) 247-2955. twalters@mt.gov Cost: Shipping
This trunk covers the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, as well as daily life on the journey. The trunk includes video, books, beaver skin, wool blanket, writing utensils, sewing utensils, trading items, and personal items such as clothing and eating utensils. A curriculum guide is included.
Grade level: K - 12 Contact: Lynette Kemp, Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, PO Box 489, Whitehall, MT 59759; (406) 287-3541. kempcaverns@in-touch.com Cost: Return Postage
This trunk includes activities and artifacts depicting the gold mining history in Bannack. Hard rock and placer mining are covered. A gold pan and sample ore give students an opportunity to try their own luck at mining.
Grade level: K-12, with a focus on 3-6 Contact: Dale Carlson, Bannack State Park, 4200 Bannack Road, Dillon, MT 59725, (406) 834-3413. bannack@smtel.com Cost: Return Postage
This trunk covers the early years at Bannack, Montana's First Territorial Capital. It includes homesteading era artifacts, a Bannack video and activities designed to allow children the opportunity to learn about life as a child during this time period.
This trunk is designed for classroom use and can be used in conjunction with a field trip to Lewis & Clark Caverns. The trunk includes two videos, books, hard hat, carbide lamp, climbing gear, rock samples, speleothems, poster, and a cave mapping game. A curriculum guide is included.
Grade level: K-12 Contact: Lynette Kemp, Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, PO Box 489, Whitehall, MT 59759, (406) 287-3541. kempcaverns@in-touch.com Cost: Return Postage
Focuses on bat truths and myths, bat characteristics and habits, and bat conservation. The trunk includes a curriculum guide, bat skeleton, two videos, slide show and audio tape, poster, books, and activities.Two trunks are available.
Grade level: K-12 Contact: Lynette Kemp, Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, PO Box 489, Whitehall, MT 59759, (406) 287-3541. kempcaverns@in-touch.com Cost: Return postage