It is a real rarity for a nature park like Nature Park Medvednica to be located so close to a large city like Zagreb . Unfortunately, much of the population of Zagreb is not consciously aware of what kind of value exists in that. Therefore, it is our desire and mission to educate younger generations about the richness and importance of Medvednica, and the importance of protecting the Nature park which, fortunately, still resists the pressures of the city and keeps an extensive biodiversity in its vicinity. That's why we offer our educational programs which, in addition to giving people an opportunity to spend time in nature, provide children with learning, recreation, fun and games.

Medvednica belongs to all of us; we all share the responsibility of its protection and preservation for next generations. Understanding its natural values and whole cultural content is the first step in its protection. Also, there are more and more visitors – tourists who want to learn something about the area where they spend their vacation. Park management has recognized those demands and decided to include new goals in its activities, such as tourism and education.

THE FOREST AROUND US

The program offers 8 interesting topics that can be combined depending on the number and age of participants. Topics are related to forestry and ecology. Regardless of the topic selected, an introductory lecture with basic information about the Nature Park Medvednica is always a part of the program.

Topics:

What if I am a tree? (1st – 6th grade) 

DESCRIPTION: This activity will encourage students' awareness of the structure of the tree, they will discover that trees have a life cycle similar to that of other living beings. They will get an idea of what conditions trees need to live and grow and realize that trees often must compete for their own purposes.
KEY WORDS: play, education, wood, bark, trees, leaves, utility of wood, fruit trees, food pyramid,
GOAL: Induce the students to think about how great a role tree parts play in our life and where we find all the products made of wood in our everyday life.

Products and fruits from the forest (1st – 6th class) 

DESCRIPTION: You can see that objects made of wood come from trees. But, many products made of wood are not so obvious. In this activity students will discover the diversity and large number of products that are in some way made from wood. Also, thanks to plants, we can enjoy many of our favorite dishes. The following activities will give students a chance to think about how great a role plants have in our daily diet.
KEY WORDS: play, education, wood, bark, trees, leaves, utility of wood, fruits of the wood, food pyramid.
GOAL: Induce the students to think about how great a role tree parts have in our life and where we find all the products made of wood in our everyday life.

Forum - nature protection (5th – 8th grade) 

DESCRIPTION: The game is designed for students in higher grades who can actively engage in mutual discussion and defend the interests of their group. Students have the opportunity to become acquainted with some laws related to the protection of nature.
KEY WORDS: play, education, discussion, nature guardians, hunters, local residents, representatives of relevant Ministries, the tourists.
GOAL: Induce the students to think about how certain groups of people look at their interests and how to fight for their own interests.

Network of life (1st- 6th grade) 

DESCRIPTION: In this activity students will get a good insight into the forest ecosystem and through their own experience they will reveal the ways in which plants and animals are interrelated.
KEY WORDS: forest ecosystem, producers, consumers, decomposers, herbivores, carnivores, predators, food chain, food web, food pyramid.
GOAL: Introduce the students to plant and animal species, the process of photosynthesis, and understanding the difference between producers, consumers and decomposers, their connections and interdependence.

Birds and worms (1st – 6th grade) 

DESCRIPTION: Mimicry is an important survival strategy in the animal kingdom. In this activity, students will discover the value of mimicry-playing birds in search of colorful worms and bugs.
KEY WORDS: relationship between predator and prey in nature, mimicry, the ways and reasons of mimicry, toxic and false poisonous organisms.
GOAL : Introduce the students to the concept of mimicry, to understand the adaptation of organisms to their environment - fur, skin, feathers, discover the meaning of bright colors in nature.

Orientation (3rd – 8th grade) 

DESCRIPTION: Despite technology, a large number of people can still easily go astray, even on a seemingly harmless mountain like Medvednica. This activity will teach children not to wander around but to learn to orientate themselves in nature - in the woods.
KEY WORDS: sides of the world, orientation using a natural phenomena, sun and shadow, sun and clock, the Pole star, navigation using map and compass – pointing a map on north, with GPS, azimuth - treasure hunt, hiking markings – orientation in wood, orientation in Nature park Medvednica.
GOAL: Repeat the sides of the world, meet all the possibilities of orientation, learn how to use a map and compass, learn to focus and reach the set goal, introduce the symbol and the purpose of hiking trail markings.

Bats (1st – 6th grade) 

DESCRIPTION: Through this activity children will learn about bats, life of bats through the four seasons, bat hibernation, the usefulness of these animals, the threat and the need to protect bats, about their movement and orientation using sound.
KEY WORDS: 14 species of bats in Veternica cave, flying mammals, diet, life cycle, prejudices about bats, echolocation, interesting facts about bats, hibernation, bat detector.
GOAL : To introduce students to special features of bats, understand their importance, break their prejudices associated with bats, approach them with this unpopular species, explain echolocation.

Amphibians and reptiles (1st – 6th grade) 

DESCRIPTION: Presentation about amphibians and reptiles in the Nature Park Medvednica; includes research, and is achieved through creation of a common project. Project tasks include the development of knowledge and skills in the following subjects: nature, mathematics, Croatian language, art and technical (for higher grades). The program includes the development of basic competencies of students through curricular topics. As a product of this research project, children will make a poster with the main features of the Queen's well.
KEY WORDS: amphibians, reptiles, and ecological characteristics of water, orientation – using maps and compass, immaterial cultural heritage – legends.
GOAL : Meet the amphibians and reptiles, use a map and compass, get to know the locality of the Queen's Well and the legend of the infamous Black Queen.

PRICE OF THE PROGRAM: 30 kn/child
DURATION: 2-3.5 hours, depending on the number of children