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Speed Showdown

Activity

Comparing Your Speed to the Fastest Mammals

Find out what mammal can run the fastest. Then research the maximum speed of at least three other mammals. Graph these results. Visit somewhere where you can run fast and have someone time you for a specific distance. Graph your own speed compared to the fastest mammals. How did your speed compare with the animals in your graph? How did your speed compare to any family members or friends you raced?

Science Seed

Many think that the fastest animal on land is the cheetah, clocking speeds of up to 75 mpg. However, this newly recorded fastest animal doesn’t run at all, it flies! Austin’s very own Mexican free-tailed bats are the fastest mammal on land. New research shows that Mexican free-tailed bats reach speeds of 100 mph routinely each night, making them easily the fastest land (or sky) mammal!

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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).

Explore Billy Reagan K-8 Education Center

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.

This project was made possible by HEB.