September 20, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Minnetrista
Muncie, Indiana

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During "Water Investigations," children will view up close the many living things that can be found in Indiana lakes, rivers and streams. Children will investigate how important these critters are to the water systems and learn how they can help children determine whether their water is healthy or not.

River Walk

Angie Manuel, a naturalist at Mounds State Park, will take children and their parents down to the White River to search for living organisms from 10:30-11 a.m. and again from 2:30-3 p.m.

Children will

• Learn what animal species like fish, reptiles, insects, and birds live in a river habitat.
• Learn how humans affect their habitats through trash, pollution, “straightening” of rivers, etc.
• Identify and sort animal mounts and live animals, including a variety of macro invertebrates into different “pollution tolerance” categories.
• Hike to the Whitewater River to observe some of these things first hand.

The river booth will meet the following educational standards

• The Nature of Science and Technology: 1.1.2, 3.1.2, 5.1.6
• The Living Environment: 1.4.4, 2.4.1, 2.4.4, 3.4.1, 4.4.2, 5.4.4
• Scientific Thinking: 3.2.4

For more information about how the activities meet educational standards, contact Jennifer Peters at jpeters@minnetrista.net, 765-213-3540, ext. 151.

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Have you ever wondered what attracts a butterfly to a flower or bird to a tree? Find out this and more while visiting My Beautiful Backyard. Children will have the opportunity to smell and touch beautiful flowers, grasses, and trees originally found here in Indiana. Children will also learn the importance of these plants and animals to the habitats in their backyards.

Backyard Habitat Certification

This program is presented by the Indiana Wildlife Federation. It will give people the knowledge to turn their backyards into valuable wildlife refuges and will teach the rewards of connecting with nature by inviting wildlife into their lives. The IWF provides homeowners the opportunity to earn a wildlife habitat certification. A wildlife habitat certificate notes a homeowner's backyard is wildlife friendly, and IWF gives homeowners that earn a certificate a backyard sign to display.

Native plants

Members of the Delaware County Master Gardener Association will be a resource for learning about plant species that are native to this area. Master gardeners will elaborate on the benefits growing native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees in your backyard. Some native plants grown by Master Gardeners will be for sale.

Plant a tree

While supplies last, red scarlet oak trees will be given away to each child who completes the Backyard Scavenger Hunt.

Activities will begin when small groups of children have assembled.

Children will

• See the variety of homes used by wildlife.
• Learn how people of all ages, whether they live in the city or the country, can provide shelter for birds, mammals and reptiles.
• Join in learning and craft activities.

The backyard booth will meet the following Indiana educational standards

• Diversity of Life: K.4.1, K.4.2, 2.4.1, 3.4.1
• Interdependence of Life: 1.4.3, 1.4.4, 2.4.2, 2.4.3, 2.4.4, 2.4.5, 3.4.4
• Human Identity: 3.4.6
• Interdependence of Life and Evolution: 4.4.2, 4.4.3, 4.4.4, 4.4.5, 4.4.6, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 5.4.7

For more information about how the activities meet educational standards, contact Jennifer Peters at jpeters@minnetrista.net, 765-213-3540, ext. 151.

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Reuse, Reduce, Recycle

At the R Place, children will have the opportunity to build a giant puzzle while trying to figure out how long trash lasts. They will have the chance to play the "Sorting through Recycling" game. They also can test their composting knowledge by taking the composting quiz. Activities will begin as small groups of children assemble.

Children participating in the composting game will have their name entered in the drawing for a Pyramid composter. The drawing for the Pyramid composter will take place at 5 p.m. Children must be present to win.

Children will

• Learn what items can be recycled and where.
• Learn how long our trash sits in a landfill.
• Explain the practice of composting
• Understand the uses of home compost
• Learn seven household items that can be composted
• Learn seven household items that should not be added to compost piles

The recycling booth will meet the following Indiana educational standards

• The Nature and Science of Technology: K.1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 2.1.7, 3.1.8, 4.1.9,
• The Physical Setting: K.3.1, 2.3.5
• Geography: K.3.7, 1.3.9, 3.3.10
• Economics: 1.4.1, 1.4.4, 1.4.5, 2.4.8, 3.4.2
• The Living Environment: 2.4.5, 3.4.4, 3.4.6, 4.4.6
• Common Themes: 3.6.3, 3.6.5

For more information about how the activities meet educational standards, contact Jennifer Peters at jpeters@minnetrista.net, 765-213-3540, ext. 151.

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Energy is a very important part of everyday life. Children will get the opportunity to learn about solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy sources. Children will also explore what happens if we run out of energy and what impacts we have on the planet.

Solar Cars

Race your way to the finish using the sun’s power. This activity is designed for children ages 9-14. Younger children may participate if supervised by an adult. Each child will have the opportunity to build a solar car that they can take home.

A maximum of 10 children may sign up for this activity.

The activity will take place from 1-2 p.m.

Cars will be available for purchase of $20.

Solar Ovens

Build a solar oven to use at home, and cook yourself a meal by using only the sun. This activity is designed for children ages 15-18. Younger children may participate if supervised by an adult. Each child will have the opportunity to build a solar oven that they can take home.

A maximum of 10 teenagers may sign up for this activity.

The activity will take place from 4-5 p.m.

Children will:

• Learn a variety of alternative energy resources.
• Determine their carbon footprint.
• Learn how the sun makes things have power.
• Learn why energy is so important to use
• Learn what impacts we have on our planet.

The energy booth will meet the following Indiana educational standards

• Economics: 4.4.2, 4.4.4, 6.4.9
• Geography: 4.3.7, 4.3.8, 6.3.13, 6.3.14,
• Physical Setting: 4.3.2, 4.3.11, 4.3.12, 4.3.13, 4.13.14, 5.3.8, 6.3.8, 6.3.14, 6.3.17, 6.3.23, 7.3.4, 7.3.11, 7.3.14, 7.3.15, 7.3.16, 8.3.6, 8.3.15, 8.3.20
• The Living Environment: 4.4.4, 6.4.10
• Principals of Chemistry: C.1.41
• Principals of Earth and Space Science: ES.1.9
• Principals of Environmental Science: ENV.1.13, ENV.1.14, ENV.1.16, ENV.1.17, ENV.1.18, ENV.1.24, ENV.1.25, ENV.1.26, ENV. 1.32

For more information about how the activities meet educational standards, contact Jennifer Peters at jpeters@minnetrista.net, 765-213-3540, ext. 151.

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updated 9/2/08