Program Details:
Grades K-2: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Grades 3-5: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Each lesson in the Wildlife Detectives series is a unique opportunity for children to delve into the natural world, build their outdoor skills, and learn more about the incredible wildlife found in Nevada.
Here’s a glimpse into the lessons:
Migration
In this engaging lesson, students discovered the incredible journeys animals take during migration and the obstacles they face, including power lines, pollution, predators, and traffic. Through a hands-on migration obstacle course, they experienced these challenges firsthand and explored how human actions like littering impact migration success. By emphasizing Leave No Trace (LNT) principles, the session inspired students to reduce waste and pick up trash in their communities, fostering stewardship for wildlife and their habitats.
In this engaging lesson, students discovered the incredible journeys animals take during migration and the obstacles they face, including power lines, pollution, predators, and traffic. Through a hands-on migration obstacle course, they experienced these challenges firsthand and explored how human actions like littering impact migration success. By emphasizing Leave No Trace (LNT) principles, the session inspired students to reduce waste and pick up trash in their communities, fostering stewardship for wildlife and their habitats.
Hibernation
This interactive lesson took students into the fascinating world of hibernation. They learned about Nevada’s native hibernating animals and their winter survival strategies, from stockpiling food to finding shelter. Discussions highlighted differences between hibernation, torpor, and brumation, while a fun relay race simulated the preparations animals make for winter. Students also explored how human activities can affect wildlife survival, reinforcing the importance of LNT principles to support healthy ecosystems.
This interactive lesson took students into the fascinating world of hibernation. They learned about Nevada’s native hibernating animals and their winter survival strategies, from stockpiling food to finding shelter. Discussions highlighted differences between hibernation, torpor, and brumation, while a fun relay race simulated the preparations animals make for winter. Students also explored how human activities can affect wildlife survival, reinforcing the importance of LNT principles to support healthy ecosystems.
Adaptations
In this dynamic session, students explored animal adaptations—the physical and behavioral traits that help animals thrive in their environments. Activities included matching animals to their adaptations, identifying suitable habitats, and playing movement-based games to reinforce the concepts. To conclude, students designed their own unique animals with randomly selected adaptations, creatively applying their newfound knowledge. By the end, participants could identify adaptations in various species and understand how these traits contribute to survival.
In this dynamic session, students explored animal adaptations—the physical and behavioral traits that help animals thrive in their environments. Activities included matching animals to their adaptations, identifying suitable habitats, and playing movement-based games to reinforce the concepts. To conclude, students designed their own unique animals with randomly selected adaptations, creatively applying their newfound knowledge. By the end, participants could identify adaptations in various species and understand how these traits contribute to survival.
Tracks
Students became wildlife detectives in this lesson focused on animal tracks. They learned how to identify tracks, understand their significance, and discover the stories tracks tell about animal behavior and interactions. Hands-on activities included storytelling, plaster track observation, a matching game, and a choice between a "Prey and Hunter" game or a nature walk. By the end, students developed keen observation skills and a deeper appreciation for Nevada’s wildlife.
Students became wildlife detectives in this lesson focused on animal tracks. They learned how to identify tracks, understand their significance, and discover the stories tracks tell about animal behavior and interactions. Hands-on activities included storytelling, plaster track observation, a matching game, and a choice between a "Prey and Hunter" game or a nature walk. By the end, students developed keen observation skills and a deeper appreciation for Nevada’s wildlife.
Skins & Skulls
In the final lesson, students explored the relationship between skull anatomy and diet by examining the characteristics of herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. Hands-on activities included examining their own teeth, studying animal skulls, matching animals to their diets, and crafting teeth from modeling clay to replicate dental structures. These activities highlighted how anatomy is adapted to dietary needs, leaving students with a solid understanding of the connections between skull features and eating habits.
In the final lesson, students explored the relationship between skull anatomy and diet by examining the characteristics of herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. Hands-on activities included examining their own teeth, studying animal skulls, matching animals to their diets, and crafting teeth from modeling clay to replicate dental structures. These activities highlighted how anatomy is adapted to dietary needs, leaving students with a solid understanding of the connections between skull features and eating habits.
Making an Impact
Throughout the five sessions, a total of 35 young naturalists participated in the program, increasing their time spent outdoors while gaining valuable knowledge about Nevada’s wildlife. Thanks to the generous support of the NV Energy Foundation, Nevada Outdoor School was able to provide these engaging and educational experiences to the Elko community.
The Young Naturalist Club is more than just a program—it’s an opportunity for children to build a lasting connection with the natural world, learn how to protect it, and develop a sense of environmental stewardship. Stay tuned for future themes and sessions as Nevada Outdoor School continues to inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts!
Throughout the five sessions, a total of 35 young naturalists participated in the program, increasing their time spent outdoors while gaining valuable knowledge about Nevada’s wildlife. Thanks to the generous support of the NV Energy Foundation, Nevada Outdoor School was able to provide these engaging and educational experiences to the Elko community.
The Young Naturalist Club is more than just a program—it’s an opportunity for children to build a lasting connection with the natural world, learn how to protect it, and develop a sense of environmental stewardship. Stay tuned for future themes and sessions as Nevada Outdoor School continues to inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts!
No comments:
Post a Comment