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Life on the Water

Activity

Observing Pond Insects

Find a comfortable spot to sit at your pond, and observe. Look for any movements. Can you see any flying insects visiting, any beetles swimming? With teacher approval, take out a rock from the pond and inspect it for insects. They also like to hold onto algae or plants. Watch how insects move across the surface. Water striders and raft spiders can move across the water without falling in. How can they do this?

Science Seed

Water’s high surface tension allows insects to interact with water in amazing ways. This tension, caused by water molecules sticking together (cohesion), creates a “skin” on the water’s surface that some insects, like water striders and raft spiders, use to walk or glide without sinking. These insects have tiny, water-repellent hairs on their legs, which help them stay on top. At the pond near Palmer Elementary, you might also see diving beetles swimming underwater, using trapped air bubbles to breathe, or dragonflies hovering to lay eggs on plants. Each insect has unique adaptations that help them survive and thrive, contributing to the ecosystem by recycling nutrients, controlling pests, or providing food for other animals.

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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 Geraldine Palmer Elementary

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.