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Weatherproof Wonders

Activity

Discovering Water-Resistant Fabrics and Their Roles in Different Weather

Take a tour of your home to find water-resistant fabrics. Which fabrics are most suited to repel water? Find out how they work or how they are made. Make a list of the items you find. What types of weather are they for? Keep your list to reference for the next time you go outside!

Science Seed

Waterproofing gear isn’t a new invention. In fact, people have been doing it for thousands of years! For example, 13th century South American natives used to use latex as a waterproof coating for clothes, and the Aleut American Indians of Alaska used dried seal or whale intestines to make waterproof jackets called “kamleika”. Throughout history people have used a variety of materials to waterproof their things from wax coatings to oiled silk, however, current waterproofing techniques usually include the help of polymer chemistry, such as plastics of different types.

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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.