Wetlands Education Family Science Night

 

Steps for planning evening…

At least 4 weeks prior to the event…

-Select a date and time

-Make arrangements for location

   We used the gym for the gathering and presentation then moved into the cafeteria where the stations were all setup for the families.

-Recruiting volunteers and helpers

  We invited graduate students from our local university, a representative from the local water board, a representative from local NERR project.

-Collect door prizes

   Many of the local governmental agencies, non-profits, local business and merchants that promote wetlands and benefit from their existence are usually ha[[y to provide something as a prize.

-Notify local newspaper or media of upcoming event

 

Week before…

-Arrange for pictures to be taken

-Gather needed materials and make needed copies

-Send notices home to families inviting to event

-Include students in plans

 The children can be the best promoters of these events if they are excited and want to participate, (i.e., make name plates, write invites, practice “Live Theater”)

 

Sequence of Events for evening

6:00-6:10 Opening and arrival

“Live Theater”

6:10-6:30 Power Point Presentation

6:30-7:20 Stations

7:20-7:30 Awarding of door prizes and thanks          

 

Preparations and materials for stations…

Live Theater

Sign in sheet to keep track of attendance

Print Wetland Passports on cardstock

 

Power Point Presentation

        Download presentation at from The University of Texas Marine Science Institute: Wetland Family Night website: http://www.utmsi.utexas.edu/outreach/family_night/vc.htm

Arrange for computer, screen and LCD

 

Stations

Station #1 Archeologist 

Collect Artifacts and display in wading pool of sand.

+can of crab +commercial and sport fishing lure film container brochure from a hunting or fishing-guide kayak trail map +duck stamp

binoculars +field guide to birds or wetland plants book of nature poetry empty soft drink can kayak paddle +sport fishing or hunting license +canned shrimp

 

Station #2 Computer Explore of LA

Obtain CD from USGS

Test CD in computers prior to event

Setup computers or laptops

Note: Will you need an extension cord?

 

Station #3 Food Web of Red Fish Bay

Copy onto cardstock, cut and laminate Redfish Bay Game food web cards  

 

Station #4 Vocabulary Match

Copy onto card stock, cut and laminate vocabulary cards

Copy vocabulary key

Note: At this station we were fortunate enough to have a local university set up a model wetland for us complete with plants and critters.

 

Station #5 Filter System

Gather needed materials, arrange for disposal of leftover and used materials.

Note: At this station we invited the local water board to set-up a display explaining how our water treatment center works.

 

Station #6 Wetland Metaphors

Collect objects and copy list of functions  

 

Station #7 Local NERR project

Check with nearest NERR project for poster and possible representative.

 

Station #8 Fish Fractions

Copy fish pictures onto cardstock, bag into ziplock bags, write questions to match bag of fish

OR

Collect fish in sample jars from local wetland and make questions to match sample jars

 

Station #9 Nutria

Copy anticipation guides and key, provide pencils.

 

Station #10 Life Cycles of Mosquitoes

Copy sets of sequence cards onto cardstock and cut apart.

Note: Nice if you can have water samples with mosquito larva available for viewing.

 

Station #11 Pond Water

Gather scopes, pipettes, chambers (or slides), and fresh pond water with living plankton.

Note: We were given brine shrimp by one of the graduate students so students had some lively viewing.

 

Station #12 Create a bird

Copy bird body parts onto transparency and cut apart, make copy of a fact sheet on beak, feet and leg types or use a poster explaining specific bird adaptations.

 

Station #13 Wetland Habitats

Copy Wetland Habitats Flow Chart and activity cards from WOW The Wonders of Wetlands, An Educator Guide.

 

Station #14 Take a Peek at the TEKS

Make copies of student TEKS checklists for grade 3-5 Science, Language Arts and Math.

Downloadable forms available at http://grate.home.texas.net/TEKS/ for grade 3-5 Science, Language Arts and Math.

 

 

List of Stations

 

Station #1 Archeologist 

 

Station #2 Computer Explore of LA

 

Station #3 Food Web of Red Fish Bay

 

Station #4 Wetland Vocabulary Match

 

Station #5 Filter System (Water treatment center representative)

 

Station #6 Wetland Metaphors

 

Station #7 Local NERR project  

Station #8 Fish Fractions

 

Station #9 Nutria

 

Station #10 Life Cycles of Mosquitoes

 

Station #11 Pond Water

 

Station #12 Create a Bird

 

Station #13 Wetland Habitats

 

Station #14 Take a Peek at the TEKS

 

After event…

Clean-up.

Return materials.

Thank volunteers and donators.