Kate Zullo

Students enhance their classroom learning with a visit to Lava Beds.

Trunks of curriculum materials and activities are available to enhance classroom learning or to prepare students for a trip to Lava Beds. Requests for trunks should be made at least 6 weeks in advance of the desired date of receipt-- plan ahead, especially during the spring semester, to ensure a trunk is available for your classroom!

Trunks are available for two weeks of classroom use. Lava Beds will pay the cost of shipping the trunk to the school, but the school must pay the return shipping (approximately $15 by mail for a full-size trunk) or bring the trunk back when they visit.

Five different trunks address California and Oregon earth science, American history, and life science curriculum standards for 3rd through 6th grades, though activities can be modified for younger or older students.

Please call Education Coordinator Angela Sutton at (530) 667-8119 for more information, to make trunk reservations, or to give your feedback and suggestions on our traveling trunk program.

Geology Trunk

This earth science-based trunk contains materials and activities to enhance student understanding of the Cascade Range, volcano types, rock types, cave environments and characteristics, and caving safety.

Overview of geology trunk lessons

CA and OR curriculum standars covered in trunk  

Cultural History Trunk

Activities based on American history curriculum encourage students to examine the definition of culture and learn about the Modoc Indians and their ancestors, the Oregon Trail and the changes it brought to this area, and the causes and events of the Modoc War.

Overview of cultural history trunk lessons

CA curriculum standards covered in trunk  

OR curriculum standards covered in trunk

Bats Mini-Trunk

This new small traveling trunk contains lessons that address life science and math standards while exploring bat habitat and adaptations, as well as our attitudes about bats and the amazing bats that make Lava Beds their home. The kit contains videos, posters, bat ID cards, and a bat skeleton.

Overview of bats mini-trunk lessons

CA and OR curriculum standards covered in trunk

Lesson Plans 

Cave Life Trunk

This trunk addresses both earth science and biology curriculum standards through an exploration of cave environments. Students learn about how caves form, the different ecosystems of caves, the adaptations of cave dwellers with an emphasis on bats, and how humans have used caves in the past and present.

Overview of cave life trunk lessons

CA and OR curriculum standards covered in trunk  

Birding Trunk

Tailored especially for Lava Beds by the Klamath Bird Observatory, this new biology-based trunk contains 25 lessons for the classroom as well as on-site at the Monument. Bird identification cards, field guides, binoculars, a digital slide show, and even craft supplies are included. Lessons include explorations of the four bird habitats of Lava Beds, how birds use caves and cliff faces, and traditional Modoc relationships with birds of the area. Lessons can be adapted for kindergarten through 12th grade.

Overview of birding trunk lessons

OR curriculum standards covered in trunk

CA curriculum standards covered in trunk