Choose Learning Type ▼

Root to Sky

Activity

Following a Plant’s Journey

Find the tip of a plant, edge of its roots, or nearby leaves or branches and follow its journey by tracing where it touches next—whether it leads to the soil or up to the sky. As you do this, think about how each piece of the plant helps create the larger environment around you. Where do the roots lead? Where do the branches meet? What is your connection to the plant and this space? How would your connection and experience change if you were a squirrel? What about a bird?

Science Seed

In geography, everything in a location is connected. Each ecosystem has many features, from the rocks that shape mountains to the roots and branches that form forests. These elements interact and influence the environment. How you experience your surroundings is unique to you! The term Umwelt describes how each living thing senses the world differently. For example, some birds and insects can see ultraviolet (UV) light giving them the ability to see more colors and textures, squirrels and dogs rely on smell to find food, and ants use the chemical trails left by other ants as well as the sun and landmarks to navigate.

move to the next activity

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.