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Nutrition, Energy, Sports & Real-Life Health Choices

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Nutrition, Energy, Sports & Real-Life Health Choices

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Schedule HERE

UCCS graduate nutrition students can visit middle school classrooms to lead interactive presentations that connect nutrition and wellness to students’ real lives.

These visits are designed to help students think critically about food choices, energy, hydration, sports, media messages, and how nutrition connects to school, activity, mood, and growth. Up to 35 students per presentation.

Possible middle school topics may include:

Sports Nutrition Basics

Hydration

Snacks for Energy

Reading Nutrition Labels

Food Marketing

Social Media Nutrition Myths

School meals

Food Systems

Sustainability + Food

Careers in Nutrition and Health Science.

Activities may include: label-reading challenges, myth-or-fact games, group discussion scenarios, sports fueling examples, or short problem-solving activities.

The goal is to make nutrition practical, relevant, and interactive while giving students a chance to ask questions and connect with local UCCS graduate students.

Best availability: Tuesdays and Thursdays, approximately 2:30–4:00 p.m.Other times may be requested but are not guaranteed.

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NEW for SY26-27!! Bring Financial Literacy + Career Development to Your Campus

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NEW for SY26-27!! Bring Financial Literacy + Career Development to Your Campus

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No more buses! Bring Junior Achievement's events to your campus!

Finance Park

Dream Accelerator

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Space is Limited: Register Today!

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Available Thursdays & Fridays

- Multiple classes or rotating groups

- Dennis is as friendly as a dog. The best place to welcome him is in a grassy, shaded outdoor area.

Kids (and adults) ask as many questions as you want!

To schedule a visit with Dennis, please complete a D11 Classroom Enrichment Request.

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Fill out this Educator Request form to connect your students with a virtual guest speaker.

May 11: Physics with Alexa Lachmann and Jamie Xia

May 21: The Deep Sea ROCKS with Rebecca

As always, you can sign up to get matched with a scientist for JUST your class! You can get a match here.  We have plenty of unmatched scientists this semester so please don't hold back.

Check out this HUGE array of choices!

Any Scientist - Any Biologist - Ecologist -Climate Scientist - Cell/Developmental - Biologist - Geneticist - Microbiologist

- Marine Biologist - Biomedical engineer

Engineer (non-biomedical) - Anthropologist - Social Scientist - Archaeologist - Geologist - Physicist - Chemist - Plant Scientist - Animal Scientist - Evolutionary Biologist - Computer Scientist - Neuroscientist - Oceanographer/Cartographer/Geographer - Veterinarian - Medical Doctor- -Materials Scientist - Meteorologist - Astronomer

- Mathematician - Psychologist - Paleontologist - Zoo/Aquarium Professional - Museum Professional - Epidemiology/Public Health - Entomologist - Conservation/Environment - Pharmacist

Nanoscientist/Nanoengineer

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Transplantation Science - Organ & Tissue Donation

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Transplantation Science - Organ & Tissue Donation

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This FREE 6th through 12th grade educational program teaches students about the science behind organ, eye, and tissue donation and transplantation.

Taught by a trained educational professional, this program is meant to enhance almost any science course.

Engaging materials, including:

Real plastinated human organs

Tissue samples

Eye specimens

And much more...

Transplantation Science Students will learn:

About the organ donation process

How organ allocation works

Examine organ specimens

Discuss career development

The curriculum was created with the goal of delivering a hands-on learning experience that is sure to leave an impression on any student.

To schedule, go to https://www.donoralliance.org/get-involved/transplantation-science-in-the-classroom/ts-in-person-class/

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Rocky Mountain Wildlife

Radical Reptiles

Nature After Dark

Habitats and Adaptations

For more site information: Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

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Inspire students to understand, respect, and conserve wildlife through personal stories and animal interactions.

Talon Talk

Habitats and Adaptations

Nature After Dark

Radical Reptiles

Rocky Mountain Wildlife

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Ongoing: Storm Drain Art Project: A STEAM‑Integrated Educator Guide

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Ongoing: Storm Drain Art Project: A STEAM‑Integrated Educator Guide

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Click HERE to learn more and apply!

Local artists are invited to create graphic or illustrated designs that reflect the themes “Keep It Clean We’re All Downstream” or “Only Rain Down the Drain.”

For use across Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math learning environments.

The Storm Drain Art Project invites students to explore how art, science, engineering, and civic engagement intersect in real‑world environmental stewardship. By designing artwork that communicates the importance of keeping pollutants out of storm drains, students investigate watershed health, design persuasive visual communication, and create public‑facing art rooted in scientific understanding.

🧪 Science Connections

Watersheds & Ecosystems

Human Impact on the Environment

Weather & the Water Cycle

💻 Technology Connections

Digital Illustration Tools

GIS and Mapping Tools

Research Technology

🏗️ Engineering Connections

Urban Infrastructure Study

Solution Engineering

🎨 Arts Connections

The heart of this project invites students to translate scientific understanding into compelling public art:

Environmental Graphic Design

Public Art Literacy

Visual Storytelling

🔢 Math Connections

Measurement & Geometry

Proportion & Ratio

Data Analysis

🌎 Civic Engagement & Community Impact

Though not a formal STEAM category, the project naturally encourages:

Environmental responsibility

Community beautification

Youth participation in public spaces

Advocacy through art

Students gain experience as community contributors, using STEAM knowledge to address a real environmental need.

It empowers students to see how STEAM disciplines work together to solve real‑world environmental challenges—one storm drain at a time.

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Music Appreciation + Rhythm + Forming Bands

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The Pikes Peak Blues Community (PPBC) is dedicated to preserving Blues heritage and creating a greater awareness and wider appreciation of a musical style created through the struggles and celebration of an American culture.

Middle School Program - 1 -1.5 hours

Introduce presenters and purpose of the program

Blues history and the culture

Explain 1-4-5 song structure, talk about musical notes and perform some songs

Talk about Blues evolution in Rock, R&B, and other music

Discuss forming bands, teamwork and problem solving

To schedule, please complete an EPIC Classroom Enrichment Request.

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Enrichment Programs in Classrooms (EPIC)

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EPIC is your source to tap into classroom enrichment opportunities -- both in-class and beyond.

Classroom enrichment opportunities allow educators to create dynamic and inclusive learning environments that nurture student growth and development.

D11 Engagement actively recruits and places community partners in classrooms to support learning goals and initiatives. We also cultivate out-of-school opportunities. Whether you want to augment your class lessons or support a school-wide event, we can help!

To inquire about a guest speaker or enrichment opportunities, please complete an EPIC Classroom Enrichment Request. Questions? Send a message or give me a call!

All the best,

Diana Starkus

diana.starkus@d11.org

719-520-2302

D11 Engagement

After School Programs & Enrichment Coordinator

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Virtual Presentations - Dynamic * Live Speaker

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Project WILD - Virtual Presentations + More!

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Project WILD - Virtual Presentations + More!

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Virtual Presentation Topics:

* Wolf Reintroduction & Management Practices

* Colorado Ecosystems

* Mapping & GIS (Geographic Information System)

* Animal Adaptations

---> Schedule HERE

HANDS ON:

Order a Media, Kits & Critter Crate (see image above)

Compass Kit

Fur Barrell

Safari in a Box

Skull Kit

Tracks Kit

FREE Classroom Biodiversity Posters (see images above)

Fore more information about Kits and/or Posters, please contact Diana Starkus, D11 Enrichment Coordinator, diana.starkus@d11.org.

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Book Talks + Digital Info Class + Resource Discovery

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MUCH more than books... In-Class Presentations

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MUCH more than books... In-Class Presentations

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PPLS offers middle school students diverse, free resources & technology with their PowerPass (a just-for-students library card) - and PPLD staff will come to your class!

Planning a research project? Book a Resource Class

What is the difference between media literacy, information literacy, and new literacy? Why is this important? Book a Navigating Digital Information Class.

Reading a book as a class? Book a Booktalk!

Fill out an Educator Resource Form to get started!

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CSU offers a variety of NO COST classroom presentations on water, energy and safety topics. Below are descriptions of presentations specially designed for middle school students!

Full program outlines + Standard/GLE Codes found here under the name of the program.

💧Water Wise (6th - 8th)

Water cycle, local water supply system, wastewater treatment, water conservation

50 minutes; max class size of 60; provide a table, computer and projection

Activity: Interactive pipeline challenge + live microbe video

💡**NEW!! Energy Smart (6th - 8th)

Generation and use of electricity, common wattage demand of a household, sustainable energy

50 minutes; max class size of 60; provide a table computer and projection

Activity: students use watt meters and become an "Energy Planner for a Day"

🚰Facility Tours

Behind-the-Scenes

Power plant

Wastewater treatment plant

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Middle School Classroom Presentations 2026

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Click HERE to explore all Middle School JA programs + Standards Correlations:

Click HERE to request a Middle School Program.

Middle School:

JA Business Quest gives fundamentals of economics, business decision-making, market structures, and global trade while fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world application skills.

JA Start It Up immerses students in the world of business by challenging them to develop a proposal for a new flavor concept of Oogie’s Gourmet Popcorn, targeted for a market of their peers. Students work together in teams to practice entrepreneurial thinking and experience the creativity, sense of accomplishment and excitement that comes with solving a real-world business challenge.

JA It’s My Future provides practical information about preparing for the working world while still in middle school. Following participation in the program, students will be able to explore potential careers and develop personal branding. Key Concepts: Brand, Personal Brand, Career Clusters, High-Growth Careers, Career Mapping, Soft Skills, Transferable Skills, Job Hunting, Job Applications, Professional

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The Colorado Springs Fire Department’s FireFactor program is designed specifically for your 6th-grade students!

We engage students with activities, interactive polls, and videos to teach students about fire in our community and the consequences of unsupervised, experimental, or illegal use of fire.

Students will learn about:

Basic fire science and fire behavior

Types of fire in our community

Virtual fire and today's media

Fire's impact on our community

Consequences for fire misuse

The crime of youth arson