Kit Descriptions
Homeschool Kits
Click on each kit name for a full description and picture.
More homeschool kits will be available throughout the school year. Check this page for new offerings!
Click on any picture to enlarge it. Images will open in a new window.
Return to Homeschool Kit Homepage
Alaska Berries Kit
Berries are important to Alaska’s people, Indigenous cultures, and ecosystems. Explore
the diversity of berry species, learn to interpret data in the context of a changing
climate, and gain a deeper understanding of berry traditions in Alaska. Activities
include identifying and observing berries, listening and telling berry stories, exploring
Alaska Native berry traditions, gathering and interpreting data through UAF Winterberry
Citizen Science, experimenting with hands-on berry science, and more.
What’s in the Kit?
Birch Bark Basket object
Coiled Grass Mat object
Bundle of grass (dyed and natural) objects
Pressed plant specimens: Raspberry, Lingonberry objects
Field Plant Press
Make Electricity Science Set
Vitamin C Test Kit
Digital Microscope
Magnifying lenses
Voice Recorder
Mini Speaker
Refillable paintbrushes
Watercolor pencils
Pencil sharpener
Writing boards
Masher kitchen tool
pH indicator paper
Puppets (Bear, Raven, Bee, Squirrel, Fox, Laminated Berries)
Batuk’enelyashi booklet
Earth Dyes booklet
Plants That We Eat book
Alaska’s Wild Berries and Berry Like Fruit book
Berry Magic book
Berry Matching Game cards
Laminated How Are Your Berries? Cards
Laminated Berry Pictures
STEAM Activities & Information binder
USB Drive
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Alaska Native Cultures; Berries; Citizen Science; Climate Change; Plants; Seasons;
Subsistence
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
Alaska Marine Mammals Kit
Explore different species of marine mammals in Alaska, including walruses, sea otters,
polar bears, whales, seals and more. Discover hands-on museum specimens and Indigenous
cultural objects. Learn about arctic adaptations, food webs, Alaska Native cultures
and traditional technology, conservation, and museum research.
What’s in the Kit?
Kayak model object
Yup'ik doll object
Ivory ringed seal carving object
Ivory seal carving object
Sealskin sewing thimble object
Baleen object
Polar bear pelt object
Polar bear claw object
Sea otter skull object
Sea otter vertebra object
Walrus tooth object
Spotted seal pelt object
Walrus replica object
Bowhead whale replica object
Whale Jenga game
Super Walrus game
Hand-held mirrors
Calipers
Charlie and the Blanket Toss book
Kayak Design Curriculum book
Kukugyarpak book
About Marine Mammals book
What If There Were No Sea Otters? book
Meltdown DVD
Binder: Activities and Background Information
USB Drive
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Adaptations; Alaska Native Cultures; Arctic; Conservation; Iñupiat; Marine Mammals;
Sea Otters; Seals; Polar Bears; Walruses; Whales; Yup'ik
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
Alaska Rocks & 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?
Alaska rocks and minerals (40) 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
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
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
Suggested Activities
USB Drive
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Alaska Native Cultures; Archaeology; Artifacts; History
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
Aurora Kit
Explore the northern lights! Listen to stories from Iñupiat elders, learn how energy from the sun creates the aurora, investigate magnetic fields, and make your own aurora artwork.
What’s in the Kit?
Iñupiaq vocabulary cards
Northern Lights learning cards
Aurora FAQ cards
Solar Viewers
Magnetic observation box
Magnetic field observation cases
Bar magnets
Ring magnets and stand
Wand magnets
Compass
Paperclips
Iron filings
Chalk pastels
Black construction paper
Heliophysics Sun-earth laminated model
Cultural Connections student guides
Northern Lights: The Soccer Trails book
Activity Binder
USB Drive
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Astronomy; Aurora; Iñupiaq; Magnetic Fields; Northern Lights; Space Science
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
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
USB Drive suggested activities
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Black Bear; Brown Bear; Comparison; Diet; Habitat; Observation; Polar Bear; Skull
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
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
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
Dené (Athabascan) Culture Kit
The Dené (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; Art; Baskets; Birch Bark; Dené; Interior; Seasonal Round
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
DNA & Genomics Kit
Explore DNA and genomics through hands-on activities. Discover what has DNA, build DNA models, and extract DNA. Learn about data sampling, marine mammals, and conservation genetics.
What’s in the Kit?
DNA Model Kit
Bag of objects [What Has DNA? Activity)
Laminated Chromosome Strips [Genetic Traits: Build-A-Dog Activity]
Sand Bottles [eDNA Search and Find Activity]
Laminated Materials [eDNA Search and Find Activity]
Dry erase markers
Test tubes with lids
Pipettes
Beaker
Squirt bottle
Small measuring cups
Activity Binder
USB Drive
Recommended grade levels: 1-12
Key words: DNA; Genetics; Genomics; Marine Mammals; RNA
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
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?
Dry erase markers
Metal cans (Silver & black)
Fabric of different colors
Thermometer
Wood blocks
Droppers
Safety glasses
Plastic tubing
Engineering on Ice Activity Binder
USB Drive
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Arctic Science; Climate; Engineering Design Process; Ice Drifter; Sea Ice
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
Fish & Salmon Kit
Many species of fish inhabit Alaska's freshwater and saltwater habitats. Discover fish through science, art, culture, and stories, with a focus on Pacific salmon. Learn how to identify a fish and how to determine their age, discover food webs, make fish prints, explore the cultural importance of salmon in Alaska, and more.
What's in the Kit?
Shark tooth object
Chum salmon vertebrae objects
Salmon and perch scales objects
Burbot otoliths objects
Silver-gray Rockfish objects
Skate Fish Mold object
Salmon plushie object
Fishing Flies (3)
Plastic figures (25)
Chum and coho salmon puzzles
Formline design puzzle activity
Build A Fish activity
Food Web activity
Salmon Life Cycle activity
Fun Fish Facts information
Salmon Recipes information
Alaska’s Ocean Bounty information
Alaska’s Wild Salmon book
The Alaska Seafood Spice Pantry book
The Sea that Feeds Us book
The Prince and the Salmon People book
When Will the Salmon Come? Advice from Elders book
USB Drive
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Alaska Native Cultures; Anatomy; Fish Identification; Fish Print; Life Cycles; Salmon
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
Fossils & Dinos Kit
Discover ancient life with fossils and hands-on activities! Explore the process of
fossilization, identify ancient fossils, create a timeline, and learn about Alaskan
dinosaurs, marine reptiles, and Ice Age mammals.
What’s in the Kit?
Bony Fish Fossil object
Horn Coral Fossil object
Leaf Impression Fossil object
Steppe Bison Vertebra object
Hadrosaur Rib Fossil object
Fossil Sorting Kit objects
Three Toed Dinosaur Track Mold object
Deinonychus Claw Mold object
Sedimentator Tube object and activity
Let’s Investigate Fossils Kit objects
Dinosaurs Card Game activity
Textured rubbing plates activity
Road to Fossilization Game activity
Track shaped sponges activity
Dinosaur track outlines activity
Plastic toy dinos and plants activity
When the Whales Walked book
Blue Babe book
When Mammoths Roamed the Earth book
Fossils Tell of Long Ago book
Timeline Event Cards activity and information
Fossil Cards information
Activity and Information Binder
USB Drive
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Dinosaurs; Geologic Time; Fossils; Ice Age; Mammals; Marine Reptiles
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
Insects Kit
This kit explores what makes an insect and looks at different characteristics of insects.
Field activities are included to help students observe real insects year round.
What’s in the Kit?
Insect Specimens
Aerial trap insect catch in alcohol vial
Leaf litter trap arthropod catch in vial
Stag beetle
Wasp
Honeybee
Ground Beetle
Pinned butterflies (3)
Beetle replica
Match the Butterfly activity
Who’s My Insect? activity
Is It An Insect? cards
Insect life Cycle cards
Collection and Observation Materials
Includes tweezers, spoons, petri dishes, mesh for leaf litter trap, magnifiers,
collection jars, ice cube trays, bug boards, and white containers
Let’s Get Buggin’ activities and manual
Insectigations book
Aquatic Insects in Alaska book
Butterflies of Alaska booklet
Suggested Activities
USB Drive
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Adaptation; Arthropods; Insects; Life Cycles; Taxonomy
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
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 sheet
Discover Skull Anatomy information and activities
Lynx Eats The Hare activity
Food Chain game
Calipers
Fabric piece
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Diet; Lynx; Measurement; Skull; Snowshoe Hare
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
Outer Space Kit
Discover the wonders of outer space! Investigate different methods scientists use to detect exoplanets. Imagine how life might evolve on different planets. Explore astronomy tools such as star wheels and astrolabes.
What’s in the Kit?
Exoplanet Transits activity
3 boxes, laminated grid sheet, activity guide
Objects in Motion activity
Wooden dowel, string, clip, playdough, activity guide
Imagining Life activity
Laminated card set, activity guide
Searching for Life activity
Clear cups, sand, yeast packets, sugar packets, Alka-Seltzer tablets, activity guide
Create a Star Wheel activity
Templates, activity guide
Make an Astrolabe activity
Templates, straws, paperclips, string, activity guide
Constellations of Alaska booklet
Astrobiology Comics (6)
USB Drive
Recommended grade levels: 3-12
Key words: Astrobiology; Astronomy; Exoplanets; Outer Space
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
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
Small paint brushes
Fat paint brushes
Paint/ink rollers
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
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
Ree Nancarrow: Paper Collage and Quilting Kit
This kit gives students a chance to create their own painted paper “fabrics” to cut and collage into a paper “quilt”. They will become familiar with Alaskan quilt artist, Ree Nancarrow, learn about how she develops her fiber creations, and explore abstract and realistic quilt designs. Collaging and quilting share similar techniques of piecing together materials to create an image or design.
What’s in the Kit?
Fabric quilt square object
Paintbrushes
Reusable cups
Pastels
Brayers
Foam brushes
Bag of assorted found objects
Pipettes
Scrapers
Ice cube trays
Foil pans
Chopsticks
Binder: lesson plans, artist information, photos, and collage examples
USB Drive
Materials NOT included:
Watercolor or construction paper
Watercolor paints
Tempera paint
Shaving cream
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Abstract, Art, Collage, Marbling, Printing, Quilting, Ree Nancarrow, Watercolor
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
Sea Ice Microbe Kit
Discover the hidden world within sea ice! Explore how the tiny pockets of salt water inside sea ice support the web of life in the Arctic. Hands-on activities include art, ice exploration, building a food web, and matching DNA sequences.
What’s in the Kit?
Imagine Yourself in a Brine Channel activity
Coloring supplies, paper
Arctic Food Web Game activity
Laminated cards and board
Salty vs Fresh Ice activity
Paper cups, food coloring, toothpicks, salt, magnifying glass
DNA Detective activity
24 laminated DNA sequences
Recommended grade levels: K-6
Key words: Arctic; Food Web; Microbes; Sea Ice
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
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?
Animal 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 (Beaver, Black Bear, Goose, Caribou, Dog, Jackrabbit, Lynx, Moose,
Raven, Red Fox) objects
Alaska Tracks Guides info sheets
Understanding Gaits & Track Patterns information sheet
Animal Tracks of the Pacific Northwest book
Suggested Activities
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Animals; Field Study; Scat; Sign; Tracks
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page
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?
Yo-Yo object
Make a Yo-Yo activity
Storyknife activity and information
Stick Game replicas and information
Games of the North suggested activities
The Raven and the Boulders book
Akaguagaankaa: The Story of a Giant book
The Great Alaska Game Show activity booklet [on USB drive]
USB Drive
Recommended grade levels: K-12
Key words: Alaska Native Games; Leisure Time; Storytelling; Traditional Games
Borrow Kit
Return to Top of Page