Teacher Leadership Center Loan Program

The Aquatic Illinois resources trunk includes many items to help you teach about the biological, historical, chemical and other aspects of water. Books, posters, water sampling tools, CD-ROMs, videos, DVDs and activities are among the contents of this trunk. 

Suggested Grades: 3 - High School

The Field Trip Pack contains many items to assist your early childhood students as they explore nature. Hands-on equipment will encourage self-initiated learning. Ideas for incorporating natural-resources activities into your lessons are also included. 

Suggested Grades: PreK - 3

Amphibians and reptiles are fascinating creatures! These educational tools will help you learn about and observe these animals in their natural environment. 

Suggested Grades: K - High School

Studying birds can jump-start your students’ interest in nature and conservation. The Illinois Birds resources trunk is filled with field guides, books, track and egg replicas, CD-ROMs, videos, DVDs, CDs with bird songs and calls and even bird replicas that sing! 

Suggested Grades: 3 - Middle School

Borrow an Illinois Fossils trunk to help your students explore Illinois’ natural heritage of the past. Each trunk contains fossil molds, a fossil hunt kit, a video, a fossil reference collection, field guides, posters and more.

Suggested Grades: 3 - Middle School

Insects and spiders fascinate students. Encourage them to learn more about these organisms by using the resources in this trunk. Books, CD-ROMs, student activities, field guides, posters, insect/spider observation equipment and a video are just some of the items included. 

Suggested Grades: PreK - 8

Invasive species cause tremendous ecological problems. With the Illinois Invasive Species resources trunk, you and your students can learn about why they are detrimental, how they arrived in Illinois and what actions can be taken to control them. Field guides, books, lessons, DVDs, specimens, replicas and other items are included.

Suggested Grades: 7 - 12

The Illinois’ Pollinators resources trunk contains teaching tools to help you and your students explore the variety of pollinators in our state. There are resources included for classroom use as well as a backpack with field guides and equipment for observation in the field. Sections in the trunk include “What are Pollinators?,” “Why are Pollinators Important?,” How Does Pollination Work?,” “Helping Pollinators” and “Pollinator Gardens.” Lessons are correlated to Next Generation Science Standards and Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards.

Suggested Grades: PreK - 6

Prairies were once the dominant landscape in Illinois. Now they are very rare. Make your students aware of the wonders of prairies with the lessons and supplemental resources of the Illinois Prairies Resources Trunk. Field guides, books, DVDs, posters, bison artifacts and many other items are included. Discover what it was like to live on the prairies by using the pioneer resources. 

Suggested Grades: K - 8

Want to learn more about the forest? Grab an Illinois Trees resources trunk! The trunks include many items teachers can use to instruct students about trees, forests, forestry careers and the forestry industry. 

Suggested Grades: PreK - 10

Are you teaching about mammals? Borrow an Illinois Wild Mammals resources trunk to supplement your lessons. Each trunk is filled with field guides, CD-ROMs, a DVD, fur samples, skulls, track and scat replicas, lessons, activity sheets, posters and other items. 

Suggested Grades: K - Middle School

Take part in citizen/community science as your students monitor the health of local trees. Background information, lessons and monitoring equipment are included. These activities can be used for after-school programs, camps and youth groups as well as in the classroom. 

Suggested Grades: Middle School & High School