Virtual SPREE Excursions

2020-2021 School Year Update: SPREE is pleased to announce that, given the realities of COVID-19, we will be running a virtual version of our excursion program this school year. Despite the challenges and restrictions of online learning, we still want to bring the River and the excitement of learning about nature to your students in whatever means possible.
We are currently creating content that will be:
Through these virtual excursions, SPREE hopes to continue to create opportunities for students to connect with the great outdoors right here in our city. Our new virtual experiences will incorporate video instruction, corresponding worksheets, and activities encouraging students to get outside or move around. This combination of hands-on learning and virtual lessons will introduce students to the River through fun and engaging activities that teach science, history, and the importance of the River to the city and its residents. Each new virtual excursion is based off of SPREE's award winning educational field trips, which are designed in line with the Colorado State Standards for education and the NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education.
We are currently creating content that will be:
- FREE for all teachers and classrooms
- Grade-specific, aligned to Colorado state standards (including standards in science, social studies, and visual arts)
- Shareable via Seesaw or Google Drive
- Easy to use in a classroom
Through these virtual excursions, SPREE hopes to continue to create opportunities for students to connect with the great outdoors right here in our city. Our new virtual experiences will incorporate video instruction, corresponding worksheets, and activities encouraging students to get outside or move around. This combination of hands-on learning and virtual lessons will introduce students to the River through fun and engaging activities that teach science, history, and the importance of the River to the city and its residents. Each new virtual excursion is based off of SPREE's award winning educational field trips, which are designed in line with the Colorado State Standards for education and the NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education.
Each virtual excursion will be comprised of four key components:

VIRTUAl Excursion Programs

1st Grade
This excursion focuses on animals and their habitats. Students will learn about the resources all animals need, build an animal shelter, and use clues to solve an animal mystery. The optional live presentation dives into macro-invertebrates to discover which stay in the river and which go on land.
This excursion focuses on animals and their habitats. Students will learn about the resources all animals need, build an animal shelter, and use clues to solve an animal mystery. The optional live presentation dives into macro-invertebrates to discover which stay in the river and which go on land.

2nd Grade
This excursion is an exploration of the living and non-living elements of the Bear Creek ecosystem. Students will learn about non-living things with a rock scavenger hunt, and the living things by investigating the plants found around the park. The optional live presentation is all about maps!
This excursion is an exploration of the living and non-living elements of the Bear Creek ecosystem. Students will learn about non-living things with a rock scavenger hunt, and the living things by investigating the plants found around the park. The optional live presentation is all about maps!

3rd Grade
This virtual excursion is an exploration of the birthplace of Denver at the confluence of the South Platte River and the Cherry Creek. Students will learn about different parts of Denver's history leading up to the flood in 1864, as well as more modern Denver history as it relates to the South Platte River, including what storm drains are and how they are connected to the River. The optional live presentation is all about the different Native American tribes who thrived in Denver before the pioneers traveled west!
This virtual excursion is an exploration of the birthplace of Denver at the confluence of the South Platte River and the Cherry Creek. Students will learn about different parts of Denver's history leading up to the flood in 1864, as well as more modern Denver history as it relates to the South Platte River, including what storm drains are and how they are connected to the River. The optional live presentation is all about the different Native American tribes who thrived in Denver before the pioneers traveled west!

4th Grade
This excursion explores life in Colorado from the days of Arapahoe and Cheyenne roaming the plains to the gold rush days of mining and panning to the pioneer days as plains homesteaders. Students will learn about a whole range of topics, including the importance of the Cottonwood tree to all of Colorado's earliest residents, how to identify different native trees, and what prospectors were panning for! The optional live presentation will have students experience the trial and tribulations of the pioneer journey out west.
This excursion explores life in Colorado from the days of Arapahoe and Cheyenne roaming the plains to the gold rush days of mining and panning to the pioneer days as plains homesteaders. Students will learn about a whole range of topics, including the importance of the Cottonwood tree to all of Colorado's earliest residents, how to identify different native trees, and what prospectors were panning for! The optional live presentation will have students experience the trial and tribulations of the pioneer journey out west.

5th Grade
This excursion takes students on a journey as scientists and explorers. Students will learn about storm drains, how Overland Pond is a habitat for many local animals, and the ways that beavers adapt to life along the South Platte River. The optional live presentation is all about water quality testing!
This excursion takes students on a journey as scientists and explorers. Students will learn about storm drains, how Overland Pond is a habitat for many local animals, and the ways that beavers adapt to life along the South Platte River. The optional live presentation is all about water quality testing!