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Inspired by Scales

Activity

Creating with Natural Materials

If you look closely at the scales on a fish they show a layered, repeating pattern almost like a symmetrical piece of art. Use your artistic skills and creativity to create a temporary artwork inspired by fish scale patterns. Use found materials like leaves, petals and seed pods!

Science Seed

Not all fish have scales, and not all scales are the same, but they generally serve similar purposes. Fish scales protect the fish from predators, injury, and parasites, acting like a suit of armor. They also reduce water resistance, helping the fish swim more efficiently. For example, fish like the largemouth bass have tough, overlapping scales that offer extra protection and improve their ability to glide through the water. Some fish, like catfish, have no scales at all..

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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 the Memorial Park Conservancy

The mission of Memorial Park Conservancy is to preserve, restore, and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow.

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