Teacher Resources

Resources for Oklahoma Educators

Whether you're teaching inside the classroom or out in the field, ODWC has everything you need to bring Oklahoma's wild places to life for your students. From hands-on activity boxes and printable worksheets to field trips, youth camps, and fishing programs, these tools are designed to spark curiosity about Oklahoma's wildlife, habitats, and conservation and make outdoor education an exciting part of your curriculum.

Bring Nature to Your Classroom

Bring a piece of Outdoor Oklahoma into your classroom with our activity boxes.

We’ve boxed up learning resources from Outdoor Oklahoma into exciting activities for your classroom! Four “Skins and Skulls” boxes are available for loan from our Oklahoma City and Jenks offices, and one “Wetland in a Box” is available from our Oklahoma City office.

Activity boxes will be loaned on a first-come-first-served basis and are available for up to a two-week check out.

Skins and Skulls

A couple of beaver skulls sit nicely on a beaver pelt.

Give your students a hands-on learning experience with our Skins and Skulls box. Discussions could focus on species identification, general ecology, or Oklahoma’s trapping history. In addition to cleaned pelts and skulls from 10 Oklahoma species, you can check out one of two animal track boxes from our Oklahoma City office.

Download Skins & Skulls Fact Sheets

Wetland in a Box

A snapping turtle skull is lying on bark and leaves.

Introduce your students to Oklahoma’s wetland wildlife with our Wetland in a Box. Included are replica skulls of four wetland species (American beaver, little brown bat, great blue heron, and common snapping turtle) and supplies for a wetland bird foraging activity.

Disclaimer: ODWC has only one physical Wetland in a Box available for pick up in OKC.

See Digital "Wetland in a Box"

How To Checkout a Box

Both boxes can be checked out by emailing a request for a kit to jennifer.benge@odwc.ok.gov or giving us a call at (405) 521-3855.

Hands-On Learning Opportunities

Fishing in the Schools (FITS)

The ODWC offers the Oklahoma Fishing in the Schools (OKFITS) program to introduce students to fishing, aquatic science, and outdoor recreation through hands-on classroom activities. As part of the agency’s broader Outdoor Education initiative, the program helps educators incorporate fishing skills, conservation concepts, and outdoor learning into their curriculum. Since its introduction in 2011, participation has grown to include hundreds of schools across the state. Educators and schools interested in bringing this program to their classrooms can learn more about training opportunities, program requirements, and available resources on the official OKFITS page.

Learn More About OKFITS View OKFITS Digital Manual Download OKFITS Manual (PDF)

Outdoor Classrooms at Hackberry Flat

Take your students on a field trip to Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management Area! Outdoor Classrooms at Hackberry Flat are intended to provide students with unique, hands-on experiences that foster curiosity about the natural world. When integrated into an academic curriculum, these programs can enhance an educator’s classroom instruction. Outdoor classrooms at Hackberry Flat offer students the opportunity to visit the area and learn about local habitat types, and various taxonomic groups.

Explore Hackberry Flat

Creative Writing Competition

Know a young writer who loves the outdoors? The Oklahoma Station Safari Club International hosts an annual essay contest open to Oklahoma students ages 11–17. Students write about hunting heritage or archery, with top winners earning real hunting trip experiences and scholarships. All participants must have completed an Oklahoma Hunter Education course. Check the current contest page for this year's themes, deadlines, and prize details — and help your student take the shot.

Learn More & Apply

Wildlife Youth Camp

Do you have outdoor enthusiasts in your class? Tell them about ODWC's free Wildlife Youth Camp. To give participants a better understanding of wildlife and fisheries management and law enforcement, the entire camp is conducted by game wardens, wildlife and fisheries professionals, and dedicated hunters and anglers. The application period typically opens in February and closes in April of each year.

Learn More About Wildlife Youth Camp See More Youth Opportunities