Cub Scout Day Camp

I had a great day at Camp Murtaugh yesterday with about 200 Cub Scouts.  I look forward to day camp every year, but it conflicted with Science Camp accidentally so I was only able to teach there on Friday.  We cover all the requirements for the Naturalist Pin, and I love to talk about the natural resources we have in Idaho.  The kids were good, and we even added a little hike this year so they could see what a marsh looks like.   I am just about Camp'ed out, but now I get to present at iSTEM next week in TF!  That is a fun week for teachers!!!

Learning about food chains and food webs



I love this picture...I need 3 hands!!!

Earthquake Structures and Squishy Circuits

I have spent the week at my favorite junior high in Idaho.  :)   Teachers and students are busy with labs and projects and yearbooks and lessons and reports.  I had the opportunity to make squishy circuit play dough with one class, and then build the circuits with another class.  In yet another class, we built structures with clay and straws and tested them on homemade earthquake shaking platforms.  On Friday, I will return and add a strength test to their structures using a lesson plan I picked up from my friends at iSTEM.  It has been a great week, and I wanted to share some pictures.  One girl said, "This is SO awesome!"  when she was building her squishy circuits!  So that makes me happy!

How to celebrate Earth Science Week

I have some great events scheduled this week throughout the Magic Valley, so tonight I will post a few ideas to celebrate Earth Science.  On Tuesday, teachers and students can participate in "No Child Left Inside" Day.  Go outdoors and look at rocks, erosion, water, and anything else that can give us clues about the Earth.  On Wednesday, it is National Fossil Day, sponsored by the National Park Service.  For more ideas about activities, go to nature.nps.gov/geology/nationalfossilday
On Friday, we can focus on Chemistry and the Earth....a great idea since it is the International Year of Chemistry.  (chemistry2011.org)

Have a great week in all that you do.  I will share my adventures each day...I promise to bring back lots of pictures of STEM in Action!

Shoshone Falls, TF, Idaho

Earth Science Week

More news from ISTA...October 9-14 is Earth Science Week sponsored by the American Geological Institute.  All attendees were given a big packet of info about Earth Science, and I will highlight a few of the special days next week. 

But today I will just mention the contests associated with the topic of "Our Ever-Changing Earth."  For students in grades K-5, there is a drawing contest.  For students 6-9, there is an essay contest, and for everyone there is a photo contest.  Check out their website for details and look for a few more ideas next week.
http://www.earthsciweek.org/

In Idaho, we have a lot of geology to appreciate and enjoy.  I attended a workshop yesterday about Bats in Idaho, and I was reminded how critical our bats are for pest control and pollination.  So if you find a great cave...respect the BATS!