Wild World Session 3 Day 3

After obstacle course and Gratitude Circle, we went to do some more organic gardening with Ms. Melissa. First the kids chose a crop to harvest (tomatoes, blueberries, corn, or cucumbers). Then we had a mini brunch feast on all the freshly harvested crops plus some yellow squash Melissa cooked that morning. After enjoying this fresh snack, we harvested some yellow squash and corn. The corn husks and a few stalks will get fed to the chickens and some goats down the street! Then we took a water break and hiked up to the white house. During snack, we learned about electricity in nature. We did a simple demonstration to learn about atoms and how electricity is the movement of electrons between atoms. Explorers were given labels of Proton, Neutron and Electron and had to form an atom. Then when heat/friction was added, the electrons had to find a new nucleus to join. This movement of electrons demonstrated a current of electricity. Then we learned about different creatures in nature that use electricity (such as the echidna, platypus, electric ray, gecko, bees, humans and ofcourse electric eel). Then we looked at the basics of a circuit and the difference between closed circuit and open circuit. We did some experimenting with different objects to see if they were conductors or insulators. Then we practiced making a closed circuit with Chibitronics lights, copper tape and lithium batteries. After finishing our projects, we ate lunch and explored the woods and creek. We caught a salamander and a couple fish to observe. We always release them back to their home before leaving ;)