Kit Descriptions
Homeschool Kits
Click on each kit's name for a full description and picture.
NEW! Alaska Rocks and Minerals Kit
Archaeology Kit
Athabascan Kit
Aurora Kit
Bear Kit
NEW! Bird Kit
Engineering on Ice Kit
Lynx Kit
Outer Space Kit
Printmaking Kit
Tracks & Scats Kit
Traditional Games Kit
More homeschool kits will be available throughout the school year. Check this page for new offerings!
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NEW! Alaska Rocks and Minerals Kit
Introduce students to the science of geology. Discover Alaska rocks and minerals through hands-on activities. Using observation and tools, students will identify, describe, and sort rocks and minerals.
What’s in the Kit?
40 Alaska rocks and minerals specimens
Mineral test kit (Copper coin nail, glass plate, magnifying lens, tile, magnet, dropper bottle)
Rocks and Mineral Study Guide booklet
Energy Literacy booklet
Elbow Deep in Mudpies and Minerals suggested activities
Information Sheets:
Rock and Mineral Specimens
Geologic Processes: Origin of Rocks
Periodic Table
Plate Tectonics
The Rock Cycle
Elements Comprising the Human Body
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Earth Science; Geology; Rock Cycle; Rock and Mineral Identification
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Archaeology Kit
Discover archaeological artifacts! Investigate the ways archaeologists study objects, map dig sites, and learn about the past.
What’s in the Kit?
Projectile points (2) objects
Obsidian object
Fishing lure object
Harpoon foreshaft object
Bone tiedown object
Slate and tooth knife object
Curved antler knife object
Hollow bird bone object
Antler artifact object
Caribou metacarpal two-handed scraper object
Bone of ancient grazing animal object
Armor fragment object
Subterranean house cards activity
Laminated rulers
Laminated numbers
Suggested activities
USB drive
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Alaska Native cultures; archaeology; artifacts; history
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Athabascan Kit
Athabascan people have lived in Interior Alaska for thousands of years. Eleven distinct language groups share a tradition of seasonal activities and use land-based resources for their art. Examine objects, create beaded artwork, and discuss seasonal activities.
What’s in the Kit?
Birch bark basket object
Babiche object
Beaded keychain object
Porcupine quills object
Anna’s Athabascan Summer book
Two Old Women book
Native People of Alaska book
Suggested activities
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Athabascan; Dene; art; baskets; birch bark; interior; seasonal round
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Aurora Kit
Explore the northern lights! Listen to stories from elders, learn how energy from the sun creates the aurora, investigate magnetic fields, and make your own aurora artwork.
What’s in the Kit?
Traditional Knowledge & Stories videos (on USB drive) and activity sheet
Iñupiaq Vocabulary cards and suggested activity
Explore Magnets activity
Magnetic Fields activity
Ring magnets (5)
Bar magnets (3)
Wand magnets (3)
Iron filings (1 bottle)
Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum DVD
Spectrum viewing lens (3)
Spectrum Observations activity
Aurora Colors videos (on USB drive) and activity
Aurora Artwork suggested activity
Chalk pastels (1 package)
Build a Sunspot Viewer suggested activity
USB drive
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Astronomy; Aurora; Iñupiaq; Magnetic Fields; Northern Lights; Space Science
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Bear Kit
Investigate Alaska’s three bear species! Explore bear habitat, diet, and life history. Observe a bear skull. Extend your knowledge to bears around the world and compare bears across species.
What’s in the Kit?
Black bear (Ursus americanus) skull object
Polar bear pelt piece object
Grizzly bear claw object
Bear plastic figurines (brown bear, polar bear, black bear) objects
Grizzly bear track stencils object
Felt Play activity
Guess Which Bear? trivia cards
Polar bear diet cards
Set of Calipers
Parts of a Skull labels
Alaska’s Bears book
Bear information sheets & pictures
Suggested activities (on USB drive)
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Black Bear; Brown Bear; Comparison; Diet; Habitat; Observation; Polar Bear; Skull
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NEW! Bird Kit
Explore Interior Alaska bird species with hands-on specimens. Identify birds through their physical characteristics. Observe different adaptations. Discover differences between migratory and resident birds.
What’s in the Kit?
American Robin object
Bald Eagle talon replica object
Boreal Owl object
Bohemian Waxwing object
Common Redpole object
Gray Jay feathers object
Great Horned Owl talons and wing objects
Hermit Thrush wing object
Mallard Duck wing object
Northern Flicker tail, foot, feather objects
Ruffed Grouse foot, tail, wing objects
Pine Grosbeak object
Ptarmigan wing and foot objects
Sandhill Crane foot object
Three-toed Woodpecker head, tail, foot, wing objects
Varied Thrush object
White-Winged Crossbill head, wing, feet object
Yellow-Rumped Warbler feet objects
Alaska Geographic: Exploring Alaska’s Birds book
Bird information sheets
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Adaptations; Birds; Comparison; Interior Alaska; Migration; Observation; Ornithology
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Engineering on Ice Kit
Discover hands-on STEAM activities to bring sea ice science to your students! This project-based kit focuses on UAF research with ice drifters and data collected about changes in Arctic sea ice. Students will learn about the engineering design process, sea ice, and climate.
What’s in the Kit?
Engineering on Ice activity folder
Dry erase markers (2) activity material
Metal cans (Silver, black) activity material
Fabric of different colors activity material
Thermometer activity material
Wood blocks activity material
Droppers (2) activity material
Safety glasses activity material
Plastic tubing (2) activity material
Laminated activity sheets
USB drive
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Arctic Science; Climate; Engineering Design Process; Ice Drifter; Sea Ice
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Lynx Kit
Discover an elusive predator of Alaska’s boreal forests! Learn about lynx life history and behavior. Find out why lynx and snowshoe hares depend on each other. Experience hands-on discovery and observation of real skulls.
What’s in the Kit?
Lynx skull object
Lynx foot object
Snowshoe hare skull object
Lynx and hare plastic figures objects
What is a lynx? information
Discover skull anatomy information and activities
Lynx Eats The Hare activity
Food chain game
Set of Calipers
Fabric piece
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: diet; lynx; measurement; skull; snowshoe hare
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Outer Space Kit
Learn about how scientists look for new planets outside of our solar system. Build a map and look for exoplanets in the night sky. Imagine how life might evolve in extreme conditions on other planets.
What’s in the Kit?
Exoplanet Transits activity
3 boxes, laminated grid paper, information sheets, and activity guide
Objects in Motion activity
Chopstick, playdough, string, clip, and activity guide
Imagining Life
Laminated card set, information sheets, and activity guide
Searching for Life activity
Kepler Star Wheel activity
Astrolabe activity
Astrobiology Comics six booklets
USB drive
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Astrobiology; Astronomy; Exoplanets; Outer Space
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Printmaking Kit
From simple shapes to more complicated designs, from everyday materials to more specialized ones, printmaking is a fun experiment. Try different printmaking techniques while experimenting with layers, colors, and design.
What’s in the Kit?
Carving cutters (5)
Small paint brushes (2)
Fat paint brushes (2)
Paint/ink rollers (2)
Plastic texture grid
Round plastic texture tool
Plastic palette knife
Gel printing instructions
Large gel sheet
Small gel sheet
Potato stamp instructions
Cork and cardboard printing instructions
Writing and printing instructions
Shaving cream print instructions
Block printing instructions
Materials NOT included:
E-Z Cut printing blocks
Paint or block printing ink
Acid-free paper
(These can be purchased online at Dick Blick.)
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: art; block print; design; printmaking
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Tracks and Scat Kit
Indirect signs are very important when studying wildlife! Learn about identifying Alaska animals using tracks and scats, then take your animal tracking knowledge outdoors.
What’s in the Kit?
Scat replicas (bat, beaver, black bear, goose, grouse, marmot, moose, porcupine, red
fox, river otter, squirrel, wolf) objects
Who Dung It? laminated card set
Track stencils and information sheets (beaver, black bear, Canada goose, caribou,
domestic dog, jackrabbit, lynx, moose, raven, red fox) objects
Alaska tracks (3) information
Animal Tracks of the Pacific Northwest book
Understanding Gaits & Track Patterns information
Suggested activities
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: animals; field study; scat; sign; tracks
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Traditional Games Kit
Explore traditional Alaska games! Play these games and test your coordination, memory, and physical skills while learning about Alaska Native cultures.
What’s in the Kit?
Eskimo Yo-Yo object
How to Make Your Own Yo-Yo activity
Storyknife activity and Information
Stick Game replica and information
Games of the North
10 Games to play suggested activities
Corresponding videos [on USB drive]
The Raven and the Boulders book
Akaguagaankaa: The Story of a Giant book
The Great Alaska Game Show activity booklet [on USB drive]
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Alaska Native games; leisure time; storytelling; traditional games
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