The IQhub is open to the public on Tuesday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.
For group tours, please give us a call and we can accommodate different schedules!
(Admission is absolutely free!)
Available Programs & STEM Fun
Interested in bringing your group or class to visit the IQhub and/ or have an educational program? Want your students to learn more about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)? We have many available options that we can customize to fit your needs! Below is a list of all available activities we can provide. (Click on the drop down options for grade level and then select the lesson title, to see more information about what to expect from that topic area. These PDF sheets also show the science benchmarks tied to each program.)
Programs: 1.5 Hours(Click on a lesson title, to see more information about what the program entails and the possible science benchmarks to be covered.)
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- How Do Plants Grow?: Who can grow their own food? The answer is anyone, anywhere! Come along and learn how to plan out and have a successful garden this year. Students will go on reading adventure, learn about gardening and germinate a seed for their own garden!
Programs: 1.5 – 2 hours(Click on a lesson title, to see more information about what the program entails and the possible science benchmarks to be covered.)
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- Apples and Bees: Did you know that bees and apples rely on each other? Bees play a big role in all sorts of crops, including apples! Together we will explore the importance of bees and how the help create our favorite foods! Students will work on their five senses and enjoy a special treat!
- Farm to Fork: Where in the world does our food come from? Farmers of course! Join in the conversation to learn how many of our favorite foods are grown and even taste test a special treat! (Please let us know if your group has any food allergies)
Programs: 2 hours or 4 hours (Teachers choose a half or full day – Topics covered will change based on time)
(Click on a lesson title, to see more information about what the program entails and the possible science benchmarks to be covered.)
- Pollinators for Healthy Foods: Have you ever stopped to wonder what a world without bees would be like? Hopefully that thought never becomes a reality! Come along and see just how important bees truly are to our planet! Teachers get to choose between apple cider and apple juice taste testing, the honey bee hustle activity or fruit and veggie bingo.
- The Three Sisters: Who are the three sisters? What do they do? This lesson looks into Native American Culture and the life cycles of plants. Come enjoy the story and start your own Three Sisters Garden!
- Vermicomposting (Make edible vermicompost bins): This lesson will allow students to dig a little deeper into the lives of our composting friend, the worm! Jump on in and learn the good, the bad and the wiggly facts of vermicomposting! (Please let us know if your group has any food allergies.)
Programs: 2 hours or 4 hours (Teachers choose a half or full day – Topics covered will change based on time)
(Click on a lesson title, to see more information about what the program entails and the possible science benchmarks to be covered.)
- Field to Fitness (Explore healthy habits): Explore how decisions we make every day, such as the food we eat and how much we exercise, can affect our lives in a big, big way! Students will learn about a wide range of things, from food selection at restaurants to resting and elevated heart rates.
- Plant Picasso (Paint with plants): Students will learn how plant color is a good indicator of plant and soil health, as well as plant development. Come see these colors in action as the students create their paintings with the help of fruits and vegetables! (Please note that paint could stain clothes.)
- Vermicomposting (Make small vermicompost bins): This lesson will allow students to dig a little deeper and see how their choices can impact the Earth! Jump on in and learn the good, the bad and the wiggly facts of vermicomposting! Students will enjoy creating small vermicomposting bins, with their team.
- Water, Soil and the Environment Oh My! (Make clouds): Dive into this lesson and make a big splash! Our planet is made of approximately 75% water, but how does it move? This interactive lesson plan will allow students to experience the water cycle in new and exciting ways!
Programs: 2 hours or 4 hours (Teachers choose a half or full day – Topics covered will change based on time)
(Click on a lesson title, to see more information about what the program entails and the possible science benchmarks to be covered.)
- Birds and Bees of Plants (Plant reproduction): Where do our fruits and vegetables come from? Students will learn the key structures of a flower, needed to create our food and then dissect a flower to see the role they play in plant reproduction. Students will understand how genetics and symbiotic relationships are essential to plant reproduction.
- Careers in Agriculture (Middle School Version): When you think of jobs in agriculture, what do you think of? Most people would say “vet” or “farmer”. While those answers are true, there are so many more careers out there that all relate back to agriculture! (Students will need their devices, to take a career quiz and play the trivia game.)
- Forestry (Evaluate trees): Students will learn why it’s important to conserve our natural resources and our animal habitats. With a growing world population, they will see why we all must do our part to preserve our planet! Students will learn how to measure trees and decide when its best to cut for lumber or keep for habitats!
- Plant Picasso (Paint with plants): Students will learn how plant color is a good indicator of plant and soil health, as well as plant development. Come see these colors in action as the students create their paintings with the help of fruits and vegetables! (Please note that paint could stain clothes.)
- WWW – Wonderful World of Water (Water quality & map reading): This lesson allows students to investigate just how lucky we are to live in the Great Lakes State! Students will discuss how people are affected when water quality is compromised and they will come up with a plan to help. This program will open student’s eyes to other water issues around the world, as well.
Programs: 2 hours or 4 hours (Teachers choose a half or full day – Topics covered will change based on time)
(Click on a lesson title, to see more information about what the program entails and the possible science benchmarks to be covered.)
- Careers in Agriculture (High School Version): In the 21st century, it is far more than just cows, sows and plows, it’s marketing, research, and so much more! This program can either feature some guest speakers from the agriculture industry or tips and tricks about landing a career. (Fits best with high school juniors and seniors.)
- Cool Chemistry (Product compatibility): Dive into the world of chemistry and see how it applies to your everyday life. Students will have the chance to learn from an AgroLiquid Chemist, as well as see how chemistry can be used to solve crimes!
- How Important is the Soil? (Land conservation): With a growing world population and a limited supply of fertile land, students will see why we all must do our part to preserve this precious resource! From consumer to producer, it’s important we all understand the soil properties and how the color, texture and slope can influence the food and fiber we use!
- Protein Please (Cheese making): Protein in an important piece of everyone’s diet! Students will learn what protein is, what it’s made of and how important it is to keep everyone healthy. Cheese is a food that is packed with protein and fun to make! (Please let us know if your group has any food allergies.)
- Introduction to Genetics (Heredity and traits): Genetics is a very exciting topic… Especially for plants! Students will learn what DNA is, what it’s made of and how it affects the outcome of your garden. The Punnet square, GMOs and advancements in genetic engineering will also be discussed.
Programs: 1.5 hours
(Click on a lesson title, to see more information about what the program entails and possible careers to be covered.)
- AgroLiquid – Commitment to Environmentally Friendly Products: With 40 years in the liquid fertilizer industry, AgroLiquid feels that it is very important to make sure our world is left far better, than how we found it. That’s why we strive to become great stewards of the land and ensure that our products are good for environment.
- Real Science – Why is being “Green” and the Scientific Method so important?: This program helps open student’s eyes to the importance of research and taking care of our planet. Students will get to learn about a variety of Agriculture topics, tour a “Green” building and understand how the Scientific method works in real life.
Plan Your Group Visit
We love working with new classes at the IQhub! Please contact us today to schedule your group for a day of learning and fun. Click on the reservation form below, to help us start planning your adventure!
Chaperone Requirements:
As we have a limited amount of staff, we require groups to provide chaperones. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
* Pre-K to 5th grade: 4 or more adults
* 6th to 8th grade: 2 – 4 adults
* 9th grade and above: 1 – 2 adults
Need financial assistance with transporting students?
Thanks to the generosity of the PNC Foundation, the IQhub is able to offer schools transportation grants, which are designed to help pay for the costs of transporting students/members to and from their home locations to the IQhub in St. Johns, Michigan.
Please read the PDF document below for specific grant criteria, the process and more about how to apply.
IMPORTANT: Grants MUST BE applied for prior to the field trip date, applications received after a group visits will automatically be declined.
IQhub Inclement Weather Policy
The IQhub’s inclement weather policy exists for the safety of our visitors and staff. The IQhub will be closed on days that the Clinton County Government/Court offices are closed due to snow, ice and other conditions that may pose a hazard for vehicular travel to our facility in St. Johns, MI. Our staff will do our best to relay St. John’s area road conditions to any inbound field trip groups and the decision on whether to travel or not is up to the visiting district’s teacher(s) and school administrators. Weather closures will be posted on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/iqhub.
Outdoor field trips scheduled to go to AgroLiquid’s North Central Research Station (NCRS) will be cancelled due to rain and/or cold weather and will be the decision of the NCRS site manager. IQhub will offer alternative options to replace the NCRS portion of the field trip. NCRS cancellations will be communicated directly from our staff to the visiting group and with as much advance notice as possible.
Meals
If your group is planning on having a meal at the IQhub, there are a few options available:
1. Bring your own sack meals to the IQhub.
- This option offers the most flexibility, since some groups eat inside and some eat outside. (When the weather is nice, a lot of groups prefer to eat their sack lunches at the St Johns City Park, only 5 minutes away.)
NOTE: If you are bringing your own sack meals, please only pack clear beverages, so we can avoid stains when eating inside. Also, students from Kindergarten through 5th Grade are asked to not bring chips, since they tend to be dropped and crushed. Thank you!
2. Arrange for a meal to be delivered to the IQhub.
- We have a list of caterers and delivery options available. Meals can range from subs to pizza and anywhere in between.
NOTE: If you make arrangements for food to be delivered, please ask them to bring plates, napkins, utensils, etc.
- Domino’s Pizza – (989) 403-7575
Offering a wide range of pizza, plus chicken & other sides. - Jet’s Pizza – (989) 224-1711
Featuring deep-dish or classic pizzas with flavored crusts, plus wings & subs. - Main Street Pizza – (989) 224-6002
Offering brick-oven pizzas, plus salads, jumbo sandwiches & sides. - Mancino’s Pizza and Grinders – (989) 224-1414
Featuring pizzas & sandwiches made with house-baked rolls. - Subway – (989) 224-6432
Offering subs, salads & pizzas