By Kate Sorensen
Education Program Manager
Happy Earth Day and welcome to our first weekly Education Blog Post! The purpose of these blog posts will be to share thoughts about botanical and nature education for children and youth and to provide a few links to information and activities for families.
I’m excited about this first link to a 30-day challenge from TED-ed…and it’s fun for adults too! The first one is about Eating Insects.
Ted-Ed Earth School – 30 Day Challenge
Earth School is 30 adventures for learners of all ages to discover, celebrate, and connect to nature. It is comprised of daily adventures, or Quests, each organized around the theme: “The Nature of…” While the initiative is hosted online, the Quests are very much designed to encourage young people to connect with nature and their environment. Covering real-world concepts like the t-shirts we wear, the water we drink, the trees in our forests, or the food on our plates, each Quest will consist of a discovery video and fun quiz combined with a series of interactive resources – including additional content to watch, read, teach, do, and share, with age-adjusted exercises built into each lesson. The initiative starts April 22 on Earth Day and will conclude on World Environment Day on June 5th.
How do you define “nature?”
If we define nature as that which is untouched by humans, we won’t have any left, says environmental writer Emma Marris. She urges us to consider a new definition of nature – one that includes not only pristine wilderness but also the untended patches of plants growing in urban spaces. This is a timely talk for parents and older children about how we view “nature.” As we are currently stuck walking around our own neighborhoods, where are those areas that are truly wild and not being managed by anyone?
Poet-Tree Activity from Project Learning Tree
In honor of National Poetry Month, here is an activity to do both outside and inside! Poetry offers children an opportunity to express their thoughts and ideas about the environment in creative and artistic ways.
Take children outdoors to observe a variety of trees and then encourage them to write a poem. Poetry formats are included to help you get started.
Questions?
Please email Kate Sorensen
