Nature Detectives Day 4

After Gratitude Circle, we played "Timed Circuit" (one kid was the "light bulb" with a hat, one was the "battery" with a ball representing an electron and the rest were "wires" and they had a time limit to form a circuit and pass the electron from the battery through the light and back to the battery).

Next we discussed how animals and plants use electricity to survive. For example, echidnas have electroreceptors in their snouts to help them locate food.

Then we continued their adventure for the time machine. The book led them to 5 animal track trails. They had to follow animals tracks (beaver, racoon, squirrel, mouse and deer) and find 5 popsicle sticks that together formed a symbol. The symbols were needed to open a big treasure chest with a team circuit challenge. They had to arrange game pieces to complete the circuit and then test it out on the circuit board with metal connectors and lights. When they completed the challenge, they each got a puzzle piece and animal card with a letter and number on it.

The puzzle made map of Georgia and gave them the clue that only 3 of the animal cards are non-native animals to Georgia. They also found a North American Wildlife book that helped them look up if their animal was native or not to Georgia. The badger, coyote and grizzly bear were the non-natives animals and gave them the combination to the final lock box. They got the motor and some crystals for the time machine.

Then we had a snack break, went to the obstacle course and worked on their original play.

Next they added details to their automatons which we will finish tomorrow.

Lastly, we had lunch, went to the creek and had some free time at dismissal to play Kubb, volleyball, Ravine, archery, etc.