Learning Outdoors
Resources from Environmental Education - 7/2/20
Nature Walk Bingo!
Backyard Fun
Art Pages - Fireflies
This week EE teacher Sally T. is exploring Fireflies through her art pages. She invites you to read a short story about fireflies before jumping in to create you own firefly art out of puzzle pieces! You can also watch the amazing video below to experience what it is like to be in a forest filled with these incredible insects. Do you have fireflies near your home?
Access the art pages by clicking on this link.
Moving in Nature
Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Our virtual scavenger hunt is still happening! Remember, the person with the most points by August 25th will get an awesome prize!
Here are the general guidelines:
-Stay close to home
-Take a picture and post your findings on Twitter and/or Facebook
-Tag us on Facebook (@SDWEnvironmentalEducation) or Twitter (@SDWEnvED)
-Use the hashtag #ExploreWithSDWEE
-Receive points for your findings
For more info and the list of items to search for, check out this LINK. The winner will be announced on August 25th! Happy hunting!
Garlic Mustard
Chances are, you have some garlic mustard around your home or community too. Garlic Mustard is an invasive species that spreads quickly through wooded areas. It spreads so quickly that it doesn't leave much room for other plants to grow. Pulling it out and making sure to get the root is a great way to slow it down. Check out this link for more information about Garlic Mustard.
I Spy...
I spy....One, two, wait! Do you see three armour clad critters with huge mandibles, the things on their heads we call pinchers?
You are looking at stag beetles. They were living in our wood pile and showed themselves as I moved logs. They are a bit scary looking but are harmless to humans. These three beetles are males and get their names because their mandibles look like antlers. They use the mandibles to court females and to fight other males if necessary. Females are smaller in size and have much smaller mandibles. Stag beetles feed on sap flows in trees and fluids created as wood begins to rot.
One of them gripped my glove holding tight with its pincher- like feet. I took off my glove and had him join the other two. They were very still for about 5 minutes after which they skedaddled at almost warp speed!
Adopt a Storm Drain
Another great way to get outside AND make a difference in the community would be by participating in our new program! Here's a snippet from the flyer:
"Helping to protect our watershed is an important part of taking care of our environment. With this in mind, we are launching a new program to help make the Fox River a cleaner body of water. We are hoping that in the days, weeks, and years to come that you will Adopt a Storm Drain in the city of Waukesha to help."
For the full details about this program - 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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDWEnvironmentalEducation
Twitter: @sdwenved