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

High School Program - 1 -1.5 hours

• Introduce presenters and explain program and outcomes

• Blues history and role it plays in other music forms (Rock, R&B, Country, etc.)

• Talk about instruments, 1-4-5 song structure and music scales

• Jam session

• Discuss teamwork, problem solving, and self-expression

• Identify other musicians that may want to form musical group

To schedule, please complete an EPIC Classroom Enrichment Request.

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/

Click HERE to request a High School Program.

High School Classroom Programs:

• JA Explore Your Path (9th, 10th) is designed to spark the interest of 9th and 10th grade students in careers and educational and employment opportunities. During this program, students will work to explore career paths and things to consider as they enter the workforce.

• JA Personal Success (11th, 12th) prepares students for the job market by helping them to develop the personal success skills that will help them land and keep a job.

• JA Take Stock In Your Future (9-12) introduces high school students to the fundamentals of stocks, the impact of world events on the stock market, long-term investing, and how investors make investment decisions and diversify their portfolios. This program may be concluded with the JA Stock Market Challenge.

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.

Students can take the 16 Personalities Test for free with their PowerPass (a unique student-only library card).

16 Personalities offers a quick and free personality test. After taking the test, students will receive a full report on their personality type and how it expresses itself in interpersonal relationships and the workplace.

• Budgeting * Saving

• Credit * Debit

• Identity Theft * Scams

• Money psychology *Banking

Workshops:

• Budgeting - set financial goals, track expenses, and build a realistic budget

• Credit - understand credit scores, what affects them, and explore ways to build credit health

Presentations are 30-60 minutes.

To schedule, please complete an EPIC Classroom Enrichment Request.

• Talon Talk

• Habitats and Adaptations

• Nature After Dark

• Radical Reptiles

• Rocky Mountain Wildlife

Radical Reptiles

Nature After Dark

Habitats and Adaptations

For more site information: Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

Semester options:

• Spring 2026 (Jan - May)

• Summer 2026 (May - Aug)

  
  

Interested High School students, please fill out the Student Enrollment Request Form.

Questions? Please email ring@caecommunity.org

* 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.

- Amazing photo opp for teams + yearbook!!

- 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.

Topics:

• Indoor/Outdoor air quality

• Water quality, conservation, Safe Water Drinking Act, Clean Water Act

• Land, Waste, & Cleanup topics

• Sustainable materials & building

• Laws & Regulations for Agriculture, Automotive, Construction, Utilities, Transportation

To curate an EPA opportunity for your classroom, please email diana.starkus@d11.org or complete a D11 Classroom Enrichment Request.

• Water Law 101

• Energy System Overview

• Water System Overview

• Fire and Flooding

Click HERE to schedule a presentation (scroll down to find the high school offerings)

• Finance Park

• Dream Accelerator

  
  

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

UCCS graduate nutrition students can visit high school classrooms to provide interactive presentations related to nutrition, health, wellness, food systems, sports performance, public health, and career pathways. 

These visits are especially relevant for courses connected to health science, biology, sports medicine, culinary arts, family and consumer sciences, public health, agriculture, sustainability, or college and career readiness. Up to 35 students per presentation.

Possible high school topics may include:

Sports Nutrition

Nutrition Myths & Misinformation

Food Insecurity

Community Nutrition

Public Health

Sustainability

School & Community Food Systems

Chronic Disease Prevention

Eating for Performance

Nutrition Careers

Becoming a Registered Dietitian

Pathways to UCCS or other health-related fields

Presentations may include: case scenarios, discussion-based activities, applied problem-solving, career Q&A, or examples of how nutrition professionals work in hospitals, schools, athletics, community programs, and public health settings.

The goal is to help students see nutrition as both a practical life skill and a possible academic or career pathway. Visits can be adapted to the course, grade level, and teacher goals.

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