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

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.

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 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

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.

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!

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

• 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

* 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.

- 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.

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

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

• Finance Park

• Dream Accelerator

  
  

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.