The Elliott County fourth
graders, about
200 of them, had a exciting
and educational day at the Conservation District Office outside Sandy
Hook.
They
built bluebird
boxes that they took
home to put up.
They are more likely to be used by wrens than bluebirds this year since
it is a little late for bluebirds to set up housekeeping.
Next spring I am sure bluebirds will take up residence in many of them.
The
kids each got a
tree cookie to
examine, decorate and take home.
They also learned about the many products that come from trees.
A lot more than just wood.
Another
station
along the way was an
investigation of soils.
Here they are learning the consistency of sand, silt, and clay.
They then tried to evaluate the fraction of each in the soil under
their feet.
They
checked on some
of the properties
of water.
This girl carefully placed 3 paper clips on the surface.
They didn't float but rather were supported by surface tension.
The
reptiles and
amphibians station was
very popular.
they each got to handle salamanders, turtles, and several kinds of
snakes.
I did a
station
where we checked the
effects of super cold.
We made clouds, fog, frost, and snow and got a demonstration that cold
air is more dense than warm.
They seemed to be impressed when I drove a nail using a banana as a
hammer.
They especially liked the wizard ice cream. Everyone came
back
for seconds and some even third helpings.
The day
ended with a
nature based relay
race
and a
hay ride.
E-mail Nancy
and
Alan