Free virtual education programming is being offered to schools by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Areas of study including history and science are brought to life through programs on watersheds, animal adaptations, glaciers, and local history and culture.

The programs are designed for all age levels, from kindergarten through high school, and meet state and national learning standards. Teachers can schedule these lessons as supplements to their larger classroom curriculums and use already prepared pre- and post-visit activities as learning extensions. Best of all, these programs are fun: Students can observe a ranger dressing up like a bear in the Bear Essentials program, design their own creature in the Climate Change program, create a watershed model in the Watching the Watershed program, and more.

All programs have a ranger-facilitated hands-on activity that can be done at home or in the classroom. Programs are roughly 45 minutes in length, with time included for student questions. Audio descriptions are incorporated into the programming and live captioning is available to support students with different learning needs.

Teachers can learn more about the programming here. Those wishing to sign up for a virtual program or request classroom lessons can email the education team at slbe_education@nps.gov.