Elementary School
How to Sign Up
These programs are best suited to classrooms in the elementary schools. To sign up, reach out to the presenter directly to arrange a date, time, and means of connection that works best for you both.
Reach out to Katherine at hagmanka@msu.edu with any questions.
Ask a Physicist: Dr. Nathan Whitehorn
Dr. Nathan Whitehorn, IceCube Group, MSU Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
nwhitehorn@pa.msu.edu
Explore physics through virtual demonstrations and activities such as cloud chamber particle detectors, listening to musical instruments to gain understanding of acoustic signatures and the Big Bang, and other phone-based tools used to analyze data from IceCube Neutrino Obsevatory at the South Pole.
Basic Bird ID
Lindsay Cain, Michigan Audubon
lcain@michiganaudubon.org
This short presentation with interactive slides will help students learn the fundamentals of identifying backyard birds and beyond. The presentation is set-up to cover the basics focusing on 4 main groups of characteristics; size & shape, color patterns, behavior, and habitat. The idea here is to empower students to explore their own backyards, neighborhoods, and nature areas.
Bird Banding Demonstration & Field Observation
Kristy Taylor, Michigan State Bird Observatory
taylorks@msu.edu
Learn how the MSBO captures and bands birds using our mini-mist net set up! Using our mini-set up, students will learn how we extract birds from the nets, weigh birds and learn about bird health. They will also get to see real bird bands and learn how this helps to study migration and migratory stop-over site use. Students will also be asked to observe a bird outside their own windows and share their observations with the class.
Butterflies in the Garden
Norm Lownds, MSU Department of Horticulture & 4-H Children's Gardens
lownds@msu.edu
Join us for a virtual tour of Butterflies in the garden at MSU's Horticultural Gardens! Programs can be either live using Zoom or pre-recorded, whichever is most convenient to you.
Chocolate is a Berry
Dixie L Sandborn, MSU Extension 4-H
dixie@msu.edu
In this session youth will learn that chocolate comes from berries, and other fun chocolate facts. We will explore the early history and culture to learn more about the "food of the gods". Youth will be introduced how chocolate was only consumed as a drink until recent history, as well as learn how chocolate is grown and the science of making chocolate bars.
Community Science is for the Birds!
Kristy Taylor, MSU Bird Observatory
taylorks@msu.edu
Students will learn about migratory bird adaptation and choose if a bird is a migratory bird or if it stays in our area during the winter. They will also learn about hazards to bird migration.
Ecosystem Investigation
Jill Martin, Huron-Clinton Metroparks
jill.martin@metroparks.com
Join an interpreter to virtually explore one of the ecosystems at Indian Springs Metropark. We will go onsite to a wetland or prairie and take measurements of windspeed, temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity. We will also observe the plants and any signs of animals. This is expected to be a live, synchronous field exploration, but a video back-up will be made available, as well. Students will be able to ask questions and explore in real-time. We will discuss how we keep ecosystems healthy in a park setting, which is good for people, but also plants and animals!
Glow in the Dark Bacteria
Chris Waters, MSU Microbiology
watersc3@msu.edu
Join Dr. Waters and explore biolumescent bacteria! Bacteria Vibrio harveyi induce bioluminescence at high cell density by secreting small signaling molecules that accumulate with bacterial numbers. It is produces a beautiful greenish-blue light that is easily visible in a dark room. Come see it for yourself and learn all about it!
Hands-on Soil Ecology
Daniel Hoffman, MSU Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences
hoffm544@msu.edu
Daniel is a graduate student studying soil ecology at Michigan State University, where he works with farmers to improve soil health of farmland. In other words, he is a scientist who studies tiny animals that live in the dirt. When we have healthy dirt, we can grow tasty food. Join Daniel for hands-on activities and demonstrations exploring soil ecology!
How Students Can Play an Effective Societal Role Now and in the Future?
Muhammad Rabnawaz, MSU School of Packaging
rabnawaz@msu.edu
Plastic is not a perfect material but a critical part of our future. But the increasing plastic waste is making our planet less sustainable. School students can play a significant role both now and in the future. How? I will address how school students can play an effective role in now and in the future.
Meet an Animal Ambassador
Annabelle Raines, West Bloomfield Parks
araines@wbparks.org
Students will have the opportunity to meet one of the animal's that lives in our Nature Room. We will discuss the time and care that goes into being responsible for a wild animal, as well as general information and fun facts about the animal.
NinjAnatomy
Maureen Schaefer, MSU
schae156@msu.edu
Are you ready to move? Join us for a dynamic blend between the anatomical sciences and martial arts. Basic kicking and punching techniques will set the scene for discussing a variety of anatomical topics, including the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems.
Pennies are Protons: Nuclear Science at Home
Zach Constan, National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory
constan@nscl.msu.edu
Students will build and name nuclei with a simple model, then learn to read the chart of nuclides before playing Isotope BINGO. This all leads to a better understanding of the world-class nuclear research conducted at MSU's Facility for Rare Isotope Beams!
Water Those: Aquatic Invasive Species
Emily Sunblade, NPS Sleeping Bear Dunes
slbe_education@nps.gov
The Water Those? program will introduce your students to aquatic invasive species, how they impact our ecosystems, and what we can do to help. Student's will complete a drawing activity during this lesson so a piece of paper and drawing utensils are recommended.
What's the difference between an Alligator and a Crocodile?
Angelina Kelly, Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary
Lina@AlligatorSanctuary.com
Join us for live alligator and crocodile demonstrations while we explore the differences and similarities between them.