Day One: Observations

Monday was the first day the Field Experience in Environment class would start teaching students about Merry Lea. Although I did not get the opportunity to teach the group of preschool students on Monday I did get to observe the night sky with the Goshen College Astronomy class and other members of the community. Many of the students used school owned telescopes while others used their homemade telescopes! Using the telescopes I got to see Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the moon (picture attached) and four surrounding galaxies. The only thing that stopped me from learning more about our mysterious universe and heading to bed was the cold temperature that night.

The next morning I was anxious as the kindergarten students walked off the bus and into the Learning Center ready to explore nature. I had nothing to fear though since I was partnered up with Jennifer and Erin. I got to observe my partners in action as they showed the group of students how to explore nature using their five senses (tools). The students got to use their tools as they analyzed the various creatures living in the vernal pond, tasted the edible plants along the trails (Purple Violets, Garlic Mustard and Sweet Cecily) and listened to the intriguing sounds that encompassed them. After the hike I was surprised how much information I had soaked up from my partners.

At the end of the day I got to walk back with a few classmates and enjoyed the warmish weather that afternoon.

After watching the video that was assigned for Tuesday, May 6th, 2014 I asked myself if there were any birds that didn't migrate south during the winter? The answer is yes, most of the time in Southern Indiana there are many birds like the Eastern Blue Bird and the Carolina Wren who are resident birds. (Carolina Wrens sometimes migrate)