Outdoor Discovery Center trip

Have you heard all about our trip to the ODC?  We had a fantastic time even though we did get a little wet today!  We had an awesome guide named Miss Kelsey! She had the kids engaged and learning the entire time!  Thank you to the wonderful parents (and one grandpa) who joined us today! Not only did they get to spend time with their child, they also helped keep ALL of the kids on task and focused!

We began our time in Founders Hall.  Miss Kelsey gave the kids a few moments to look at some living creatures (turtles, frogs, snakes) and some taxidermy before gathering us up to discuss some characteristics of fall.  She discussed how plants and animals prepare for winter, which animals hibernate, migrate or stay in Michigan and active all winter long.  She asked the kids what the needs are for all animals and they knew most of them: food, water, shelter, space and air.  She then read us a story about fall.

Next, Miss Kelsey showed us a box turtle! She talked about how he (ask your child how we knew it was a male) will prepare to hibernate for winter. He will dig with his claws backwards into the ground about TWO FEET down and sleep all winter long.  She showed us a large turtle shell they have at the ODC so that the kids could see that the shell was the turtle's backbone and can't come off.  She then walked around the circle and allowed them to touch the turtle's back with one or two fingers!

Next, Miss Kelsey showed us a Black Rat Snake!  We learned that both turtles and snakes are cold-blooded, and get warm by lying in the sun or finding something warm to snuggle up to (Miss Kelsey).  She taught us that snakes will hibernate in the winter as well, but they always search for the same place to hibernate each year.  She then pulled the snake off of her arm and we determined that the snake was taller than Kailynn!  Miss Kelsey then brought the snake around for those who chose to touch it (but she was kind enough to put the head behind her first).

After washing our hands, we went outside to discover three different habitats: the wetlands and pond, the meadow and the forest.  We will compare each of these habitats again in the winter and spring.  At the pond, the kids were able to lie right down on the dock to look into the water and they saw fish, and some even thought they saw a turtle (except the adults were pretty sure it was a rock).  When we were leaving the pond area, Mrs. Nykamp's  guide handed her backpack to Miss Kelsey because they had caught a FROG!  So the kids had the opportunity to see one up close and personal!  We learned how to tell the difference between males and females as well (ask your child how to tell!).  When we were finished checking out the frog, Miss Kelsey let it go in the pond!

Our next habitat was the meadow!  Miss Kelsey handed out small magnifying glasses to the kids to help them discover different plants that were found in the meadow.  The kids brought all kinds of treasures to her for identifying!

Miss Kelsey told us that a bug laid an egg on the plant, and the plant adapted by creating a GALL around the egg, which then became shelter for the egg and later food when the egg hatched!

Milkweed Plant

Miss Kelsey told us that this particular plant smells like chocolate when it just begins to bud!

A plant with TWO galls on it!

Next, Miss Kelsey taught the kids about the Monarch butterfly.  She discussed how they migrate to Mexico for the winter.  Then, after reviewing the four stages of the Monarch butterfly life cycle, took the kids down the path.  She told them that the flight from Michigan to Mexico was filled with danger for them such as birds, tall buildings, wind, etc.  She had the kids pretend they were butterflies trying to migrate from Michigan to Mexico, avoiding the parents (dangers) in between. 

 

We also found another amazing part of the meadow on our way to our next habitat!  It was found on a plant just off the path... inside this amazing object are praying mantis eggs!  In the spring, they will hatch and come out of the case.  Miss Kelsey said there will be a bunch of them!

 

We then went to the forest habitat.  Because it was raining a bit harder now, we stood under a group of trees to discuss how trees change in the fall, and searched for types that lose their leaves (deciduous) and those that do not (evergreens).  As she discussed animals that might live in the forest, she pulled out of her backpack the skin of a raccoon.  Miss Kelsey taught us that animals with fur will adapt in the fall to prepare for winter by eating a lot to get nice and fat, and their fur gets thicker to keep them warm all winter long. She also taught us that animals with fur are called mammals.  By the way, the raccoon skin was available because it died and someone donated the skin for kids to learn about it (yes, a few students asked).

On our way back to the bus, we made a short stop to see the elk!  We didn't have much time to learn about them this time, but were very excited to see the large antlers on the male elk.

We had a wonderful time at the ODC!  We thank Miss Kelsey for showing and teaching us so much today and look forward to our next trip in January!  Thank you also to the Hamilton Community Schools Administration, who pay the cost for transportation and our guides and time spent there.