First Classroom Visits!

This week I got to make my first trips out into the public as a member of the FLC/AmeriCorps team. It has been super fun! My first day out was teaching a lesson about composting and worms to 2nd graders at Ustick Elementary School. The kids were all energetic and willing to help and answer questions. I quizzed them on what they learned about worms and I think the overwhelming response was that worms poop dirt and cows don't grow on trees. It was great to quiz them on what can and cannot be composted and to see how quickly they picked it up.

Snow school leaders at Bogus Basin, 2012.

The second school I visited was Grace Jordan Elementary where we gave the Bogus Basin Snow School pre-lesson. We covered winter adaptations including hibernation, migration, and acclimation. We demonstrated how a bear fattens up for winter by layering a dozen coats on some of the kids. It was pretty fun and a good way to visualize what a bear goes through to get ready for winter. We quizzed the kids on adaptations by giving them pictures of animals and asking them to sort themselves into different adaptation schemes.

Second Saturday at FLC

Exploding trash can geyser!

Today was second Saturday at FLC. This occurs on the 2nd Saturday of every month and this was my first time being a part of it. Friday we set up and it was rewarding to see everything assembled and ready, knowing that Sharalynn  (my AmeriCorps cohort) and I had done the work ourselves.

Some of the displays ready for Second Saturday

When Saturday came I was blown away by how many people came out to enjoy the nice weather and see what we had to offer. 

I spent most of my time at a table demonstrating how geothermal energy works. We also had several types of volcanic rock on hand which was a very popular exhibit! I got to show kids how the rate at which molten rock cools affects the final appearance.

We capped the day off with a trash can "geyser" which got cheers all around.

I am so excited about the opportunity to work and the Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center as an AmeriCorps volunteer. I expect that this opportunity will improve my environmental education skills, group management skills, and my fitness! The hard part right now is that the weather has our trails in a mess so activities are limited. Thankfully I'm there until summer when we can get out with the snakes and cicadas and start getting dirty!

Photo credit: idahosojourn.wordpress.com