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 $13 by media mail) or bring the trunk back when they visit.

Four different trunks address California and Oregon earth science, American history, and biology 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. The trunk includes a binder of classroom activities, rock samples, a caving hardhat, a geology board game, and two geology videos.

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. The trunk includes a binder of classroom activities, two videos, tule reeds, American Indian artifacts, and several posters.

New in Spring 2009:
Cave Life Trunk

This newly-designed 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. The trunk includes a binder of classroom activities, three videos, several hands-on activities, books on each topic to help students learn more, a game board, and several posters.

New in Spring 2009:
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.