Learning Outdoors
Resources from Environmental Education - 12/17/20
Happy Holidays!
Wind Meditation
Winter Picture Books and Outdoor Activities
Birdfeeder Opportunity!
The Phenology Phorum
Winter Solstice
Written by EE teacher Laureanna Raymond-Duvernell
There are four times of the year when we take the time to purposefully celebrate the sun: spring equinox, summer solstice, autumnal equinox and winter solstice. Simply put, the solstices are when we get the most/least amount of sunlight, and the equinoxes are when we get equal amounts of sunlight/night (equinox = equal night).
Monday, December 21 is the winter solstice for 2020. In Wisconsin, we’ll get just under 9 hours of sunlight. (Compared to the summer solstice, when we have > 15 hours.)
What traditions do you have to celebrate the solstice? At our house, we eat our dinner by candlelight to remember all of the cultures around the world that had to do this in the past (and some even today), and to celebrate the gradual return of the sun over the next half a year. The book that we read every year on the winter solstice is The Longest Night by Marion Dane Bauer. It’s a beautiful read that connects the natural world with the reappearing of the sun.
You probably actually do celebrate the solstice without even knowing it: the lighting of a yule tree, yule log or yule wreaths are traditions that were co-opted by Christianity. So when you enjoy the lights on your Christmas tree, bake a yule log swiss roll, or light candles on your advent wreath, take a moment to thank the sun for the life and energy it gives us.
Winter Ecology and Forest Diversity
Planetarium Corner
Each week, Lisa Swaney (the Planetarium Director) will share some fun opportunities here!
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Happy Holidays from the staff @ Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium. December 2020 has been a month filled with many exciting astronomical events- including a total solar eclipse, Geminid Meteor Shower, Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on November 30th, the aurora borealis (also called the northern lights), and the rare Saturn- Jupiter conjunction on the same day as our winter solstice. So, this week’s segment is all about exploring these events even more.
2. Exploratorium- Total Solar Eclipse
Beside providing a ton of astronomical knowledge or experiences about all the events happening over the month, here are few unique classroom opportunities to investigate and maybe even try over holiday break. Happy Exploring!
2. #DIY ALERT. Build your own Moon phases calendar and calculator for 2021. With your creation, you’ll be able to predict the dates and times of full moons, new moons, and all the phases in between. See materials and easy step-by-step instructions here: http://go.nasa.gov/2GdqRTr
3. Chile peppers anyone? Have you ever wanted to explore what it would take to grow things in space? Here is a rare opportunity to participate in the Growing Beyond Earth project, where you can assist NASA scientists to test and identify food plants for growth aboard the International Space Station. We are collaborating with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami, Florida, to offer this hands-on, authentic STEM-based citizen science research project in partnership with Dr. Gioia Massa, NASA research and FFA Alumni. All materials, resources, and equipment are FREE.
4. TAKE YOUR CLASS INTO SPACE! Designed for 3rd-5th grade, this series supports aspects of the NGSS and ELA Common Core as we tackle questions such as:
What makes up our solar system?
How do astronomers make observations and plot the motions of its objects over time?
What parts of the solar system can I see with my own eyes from my own home?
During this science unit, students take on the role of astronomers to explore the Sun, Moon, planets, and objects in and beyond our solar system.
Session 1: Motions of the Sun and Moon
Session 2: Packing for a Planet
Session 3: Asteroids, Comets, Moons - Oh My!
Sit-upons
Support for Outdoor Learning
To see detailed outdoor learning ideas, check out this slideshow.
To see a flyer that outlines our support offerings this year, check out this link.
Science Joke of the Week
We Want to Hear From YOU!
Email: ekoeppel@waukesha.k12.wi.us
Website: https://sdw.waukesha.k12.wi.us/domain/173
Location: 810 West College Avenue, Waukesha, WI, USA
Phone: 262-970-4333
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Twitter: @sdwenved