Learning Outdoors
Resources from Environmental Education - 2/25/21
Phenology Phorum
Snow Moon
written by EE teacher Laureanna Raymond-Duvernell
Well, with the additional 3” that we got this week - and a total snowfall on the ground that is above my (granted, very low-to-the-ground) knees, the name of the upcoming full moon is fitting!
The second full moon of the year is called the Snow Moon by many Indigenous Peoples. Some other Native American Nations also call it the Hunger Moon, which is a reference to the dwindling food supplies for both people and animals until the spring thaw.
It should be a beautiful weekend to get out to see the moon and possibly go on a night hike. Bring along a flashlight or headlamp for safety, but see if you can find your way with just the moonlight.
If you want a fun activity to add on to your hike, try owl calling! The book Owl Moon by Jane Yolen tells one story of a father and child going on an owl calling hike. It’s a great family adventure that is perfect for this weekend’s full moon!
WCEE Trunks and Kits
The WI Center for Environmental Education has kits and trunks that you can reserve for your classroom! Check out their website for more information about each kit. These are the kits available during the spring 2021 season:
Bat Trunks (K-3, 4-6, Edubat)
Forestry Education KitHand-crank
Forest Explorer Kit
Energy Audit Kit
Forest Health Kit
Wildlife Tracks
Hear from the Experts - WDNR Forestry Lecture Series: Burning Questions
"Did you know that Wisconsin’s primary wildfire season is in the spring? Or that more than 99% of our wildfires are caused by people? Or that the beloved wildfire prevention icon Smokey Bear is 76 years old but still as relevant and needed as ever? Tune into this presentation for an overview of how we prevent, detect, and suppress wildfires in Wisconsin."
The Story of Smokey Bear
Tracking "HamHigh" : Circling the World with a Balloon
Article by Brian Cieslak
Check out the full article here!
"Project HamHigh, an attempt to send a balloon around the world, is moving toward a launch date in early May. Our balloon will carry a solar powered tracking device that will transmit, via Amateur Radio, its location and altitude as the jet stream carries it around the world. The balloon will report its position every hour as long as it has sunlight to power its electronics. A worldwide network of ‘HAM radio’ operators will monitor signals from HamHigh and relay them back to ‘mission control’ (The HD Planetarium) via the internet."
Planetarium Corner
Each week, Lisa Swaney (the Planetarium Director) will share some fun opportunities here!
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Next week, on March 2nd….celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday, and take part in this annual celebration of reading.
Moving in Nature - Forest Bathing
Sit-upons
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