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Stream Racing

Activity

Measuring the Speed of Flowing Water

Measure how fast the water in your local stream, river or creek is moving by floating a leaf or stick on the water and determining how long it takes to move from point A to point B. Have a race to see which leaf/stick moves the fastest!

Science Seed

When you float a leaf or stick down a stream, you’re measuring the speed of water flow, also known as stream current. Water speed can vary depending on the slope of the land, shape of the stream, the volume of water, and obstacles like rocks or plants. To calculate how fast the water is moving, measure the distance between two points (in meters), time how long your object takes to travel that distance (in seconds), and then use the formula: speed = distance ÷ time to find out the speed in meters per second.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

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join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.