We currently have 16 educational kits available for teacher check-out. The check out form is at the bottom of this page. Please be aware that the classroom kits are not designed for independent student extensions, but are for rich teacher-guided activities and labs. Kits contain everything you’ll need, with one exceptions. For the “Whipping Butter Into Shape” kit, you’ll need heavy whipping cream.
If you have specific questions about a kit, or want to arrange delivery and/or pick-up please contact Tim Miller at tim.miller@mountaincastles.org. Don’t see a kit you need? Let Tim know and he will put one together for you!
Current kit check-outs are noted below.
Nature Sense available (grades K-5) — Use nature to learn shapes and explore using all 5 senses
How Many Bears? available (grades K-4, 7) — Discover what black bears need to survive in VA
Water on Zork available (grades 3-6) — Your team has encountered a colorless liquid, but is it water?
Deer by the Dozen available (grades K-5, 7) — Discover how deer teeth follow a development pattern similar to human teeth by using real deer jawbones.
Whipping Butter into Shape available (grades K-5) — Explore the properties of solids and liquids and design an experiment like a scientist.
Oil Spill! available (grades 3-6) –Discover the effect of oil on bird feathers and experiment with oil spill clean up methods.
Fill the Bill available (grades 1-7) — Why do different birds have different beaks? Explore the effectiveness of different beak types and design and test a brand new beak.
Owl Pellets available (grades 1-4, 7) — Dissect real owl pellets to discover owl adaptations and predator-prey interactions.
Get the Scoop on Soil available (grades 3-5) — Why is soil particle size important for plant growth? Why is soil such an important resource? What causes erosion and how can it be prevented?
Pollination Power available (grades K-7) — Explore the role of bees and other pollinators and discover the different mechanisms of pollination.
Plants for Dinner! available (grades 2-3) — Explore the needs of plants, plant parts, and the concepts of germination and dormancy by making a “soil dude” and planting vegetables.
Wolves and Willows available (grades 2-7) — investigate the role of apex predators and how they impact an ecosystem, including plants and water!
Snakes of Virginia available (grades 4-7) — learn more about some of our most misunderstood (and underappreciated) critters in this fun activity that combines reading, measurement, and art.
Put a Ring On It available (grades 2-7) — explore how trees grow and learn what tree “cookies” can tell us about the past
Something’s Fishy! available (grades 1-7) — learn the parts of a fish and explore the art of fish printing
Climate Art available (grades 5 & up) — create beautiful artwork from climate change graphs