DLC Educator Ethan Moore introduces DPS middle schoolers to Megaladapis.
Outreach Programs
We’re thrilled to now offer FREE classroom programs for Durham Public Schools! See below for full details, and for how you can request an engaging program from a DLC educator in your classroom.
What? One of our professional educators will visit your classroom to engage with your students through our “Primate 101” presentation, complete with adorable photos and videos of the DLC’s resident lemurs! Lemurs offer a charismatic lens through which we can explore evolution, adaptation, and animal classification, and we have four tailored presentations designed to align with the NCDPI 2023 K-12 Science Standards for grades 3-4, grades 5-6, grades 7-8, and grades 9-12 (specific standards listed below). We anticipate these programs lasting 40-60 minutes, depending on student age and engagement level. We love inquiry-based learning, so our educators will welcome questions, and we are happy to adjust our approach based on your students’ interests and personalities. While we can’t bring any lemurs along for the program, we can bring unique and fascinating bio-facts to accompany the presentation.
When? Classroom programs are offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, based on our staff’s availability. We are not able to offer classroom programs on other days of the week at this time.
How? You can request your classroom program by emailing primate@duke.edu with the following information:
1. School name
2. Grade level
3. Number of students
4. Two or three proposed dates (Tuesdays and Wednesdays only) and timing windows. We’re not familiar with start/end/lunch times for all schools, and specific timing windows are very helpful to ensure that we schedule at a time that works for everyone.
5. Any special requests, questions, or concerns
Once we receive your request, we will reach out within 72 hours to discuss scheduling. Because this program is free to DPS educators and students, the only limiting factor is our staff’s time. We hope to accommodate all requests, but please note that we will prioritize Title I schools.
Outreach Programs FAQ
What is “Primate 101” about? This lesson will look at the characteristics that primates share, and then dive a little deeper to distinguish between different types of primates, highlighting lemurs! If you’re curious to know more, please send us an email at primate@duke.edu.
What about schools in neighboring counties? We will prioritize Durham Public Schools, particularly Title I schools, for outreach programs at this time. If scheduling allows, we may consider requests from public schools in neighboring counties on a case-by-case basis.
What about Durham County schools outside of DPS? While we are not able to offer free programs to non-public schools, we are happy to consider outreach requests and discuss fees on a case-by-case basis.
Can I request a different topic or program format? While we are limited to the details above at this time, this outreach initiative is a work in progress. We would absolutely love to expand our offerings to include additional topics in the future, and we welcome feedback on topics or program types that DPS educators would value as we develop these programs further.
What about virtual programs? Please see our virtual programs page to find out more information on our current offerings, including a FREE 75-minute Virtual Tour video series.
NCDPI 2023 K-12 Science Standards
LS.1.1 Understand the basic needs of a variety of plants and animals in difference ecosystems
LS.2.2 Understand that organisms differ from or are similar to their parents and other offspring based on characteristics of the organism
LS.4.1 Understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations, and behaviors to enable organisms to survive in changing habitats
ESS.4.3 Understand changes caused by human impact on the environment
LS.5.2 Understand the interdependence of plants and animals with their ecosystem
LS.5.3 Understand some characteristics of an organism are inherited and other characteristics are acquired
LS.8.2 Understand how organisms interact with and respond to the biotic and abiotic factors in their environment
LS.8.3 Understand the evolution of organisms over time based on evidence and processes
LS.Bio.10 Analyze the evolutionary relationships among organisms
