Discover Nature Educational Trunks

Discovery Trunks include thematic hands-on materials intended to engage students in sensory experiences and learning. Materials are age appropriate and specifically supplement nature learning found in existing Discover Nature Schools curricula.

Contents of each trunk vary, but items you might find include:

  • Nature items such as fur or animal skulls
  • Science tools such as thermometers or magnifying glasses
  • Supplemental student books such as field guides and picture books
  • Teacher resources such as content books and lesson plans

Check below for trunks available in your region.

Central Region

Pickup Location

MDC Columbia Regional Office, 3500 Gans Road, Columbia, MO 65201

To reserve a trunk, call Ethan Regan at 573-815-7901 ext. 2866.

TrunkGrade LevelDNS Curricula Supplemented
MammalsK–12All
Aquatic Habitat3–12Nature Unleashed, Nature Unhooked, Nature Unbound
Whitetail Deer and BearK–12All
Missouri Birds3–5Nature Unleashed
InsectsK–12All
Forestry6–12Nature Unhooked, Nature Unbound
Kansas City Region

Pickup Location

Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64110

To reserve a trunk, contact Kathy Kottemann, 816-759-7305 ext. 1126. Trunks can be checked out for up to 2 weeks.

TrunkGrade LevelDNS Curricula Supplemented
PreschoolPre-KNature Revealed
Picture BookPre-KNature Revealed
Nature StampsK–2Nature Unfolds
Primary MammalK–2Nature Unfolds
Foot MoldsK–2Nature Unfolds
Sounds of NatureK–2Nature Unfolds, First Grade: Exploring Missouri
Amphibians and Reptiles3–5Nature Unleashed
Bat3–5Nature Unleashed
Bird3–5Nature Unleashed
Black Bear3–5Nature Unleashed
Prairie Ecosystem3–5Nature Unleashed
Lewis and Clark Elementary3–5Nature Unleashed
Mountain Lion3–5Nature Unleashed
Orienteering3–5Nature Unleashed
Secondary Mammal3–5Nature Unleashed
Forest Ecosystem3–5Nature Unleashed
Pond Ecosystem3–5Nature Unleashed
Lewis and Clark Secondary6–12Nature Unhooked, Nature Unbound
Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils of Missouri6–12Nature Unhooked, Nature Unbound
Tree6–12Nature Unhooked, Nature Unbound
Northeast Region

Pickup Location

MDC Hannibal Office, 8965 Highway 36, Hannibal, MO 63401

To reserve a trunk, contact the MDC Hannibal office at 573-248-2530.

TrunkGrade LevelDNS Curricula Supplemented
Prairie HabitatPre-K–12All
Forests HabitatPre-K–12All
Urban NaturePre-K–5Nature Revealed, Nature Unfolds, Nature Unleashed
Aquatic Habitat3–12Nature Unleashed, Nature Unhooked, Nature Unbound
Wetlands Habitat3–12Nature Unleashed, Nature Unhooked, Nature Unbound
Caves HabitatPre-K–12All
MammalPre-K–12All
Black Bear TrunkPre-K–2Nature Revealed, Kindergarten: Bears Through the Seasons, Nature Unfolds
BirdPre-K–12All
Reptiles and AmphibiansPre-K–12All
InsectPre-K–12All
BeaverPre-K–12All
TurkeyPre-K–12All
OwlPre-K–12All
Plaster Cast Foot MoldsPre-K–12All
Positive Track StampsPre-K–12All
Northwest Region

Pickup Location

MDC Chillicothe Office, 15368 LIV 2386, Chillicothe, MO 64601

To reserve a trunk, email Adam.Brandsgaard@mdc.mo.gov or call 660-646-6122.

TrunkGrade LevelDNS Curricula Supplemented
MammalsK–12All
Reptile and AmphibianK–12All
Raptor DiscoveryK–12All
Bird DiscoveryK–12All
Forestry DiscoveryK–12All
Insect DiscoveryK–12All
Paint DiscoveryK–12All
Ozark Region

Pickup Location

MDC Ozark Regional Office, 551 Joe Jones Blvd, West Plains, MO 65775

To reserve a trunk, call 417-256-7161. Trunks can be checked out for up to two weeks.

TrunkGrade LevelDNS Curricula Supplemented
MammalsK–12All
BirdsK–12All
InsectsK–12All
Lewis and ClarkK–12All
Caves and Karst ExperienceK–12All
Rocks and MineralsK–12All
Compass Borrow BoxK–12All
Southeast Region

Pickup Location

Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, 2289 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

To reserve a trunk, contact 573-290-5218. Trunks can be checked out for up to two weeks.

TrunkGrade LevelDNS Curricula Supplemented
AquaticsK–12All
BatsK–12All
BirdsK–12All
ButterflyK–12All
ForestryK–12All
InsectsK–12All
Insects CollectionK–12All
Lewis and ClarkK–12All
Life CycleK–12All
MammalK–12All
PeltsK–12All
SkullsK–12All
TracksK–12All
Native AmericanK–12All
Nature RevealedPre-KNature Revealed
Reptiles and AmphibiansK–12All

Pickup Location

MDC Piedmont Office, 410 Piedmont Avenue, Piedmont, MO 63957

To reserve a trunk, contact 573-223-4525. Trunks can be checked out for up to two weeks.

TrunkGrade LevelDNS Curricula Supplemented
BearK–12All
Caves and KarstK–12All
ElkK–12All
Mountain LionK–12All
Nature RevealedPre-KNature Revealed
Project Learning TreeK–12All

Pickup Location

Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, 24279 State Highway 51, Puxico, MO 63960

To reserve a trunk, contact 573-222-3589. Trunks can be checked out for up to two weeks.

TrunkGrade LevelDNS Curricula Supplemented
Nature RevealedPre-KNature Revealed
WetlandsK–12All

Pickup Location

Bootheel Youth Museum, 700A N Douglass St., Malden, MO 63863

To reserve a trunk, contact 573-276-3600.

TrunkGrade LevelDNS Curricula Supplemented
Nature RevealedPre-KNature Revealed
Southwest Region

Pickup Location

MDC Southwest Regional Office, 2630 N Mayfair, Springfield, MO 65803

To reserve a trunk, contact Lyle.Whittaker@mdc.mo.gov.

TrunkGrade LevelDNS Curricula Supplemented
Nature Unbound Field Experience9–12All
Nature Unleashed Field Experience3–5All
Nature Unhooked Field Experience6–8All

Pickup Location

Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center, 201 W Riviera Drive, Joplin, MO 64804

To reserve a trunk, contact Andrew.Rhodes@mdc.mo.gov.

TrunkGrade LevelDNS Curricula Supplemented
Monarch Butterfly1–5Nature Unfolds, Nature Unleashed
Bats Discovery1–5Nature Unfolds, Nature Unleashed
Missouri Owls1–3Nature Unfolds, Nature Unleashed
Mammals Tracks1–5Nature Unfolds, Nature Unleashed
St. Louis Region

Pickup Location

St. Louis Regional Office, 2360 Highway D, St. Charles, MO 63304

To reserve a trunk, contact 636-441-4554.

TrunkGrade LevelDNS Curricula Supplemented
MammalsPre-K–12All
Forestry3–12All
Aquatic Ecosystems3–12All

Pickup Location

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, 11715 Cragwold Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122

To reserve a trunk, contact 314-301-1500.

TrunkGrade LevelDNS Curricula Supplemented
MammalsPre-K–12All
Forestry3–12All
Aquatic Ecosystems 3–12All
Sample forest trunk
Sample pond trunk