Choose Learning Type ▼

Squirrel Balance Challenge

Activity

Test Your Skills Like a Tree Dweller

Visit the nature play area and test your balance! Watch a squirrel balance on a log or tree branch, and then find a safe place to try it yourself!
Mamm 1 (2)
Mamm 1
Mamm 1 (3)

Science Seed

Many mammals, like squirrels and opossums, are excellent climbers and balance on trees or logs to find food, escape predators, or move through their habitats. Squirrels have sharp claws that help them grip onto tree bark, allowing them to run along branches with ease. Opossums, though slower climbers, use their prehensile (especially flexible and strong) tails to help them balance and grab onto branches as they move. Their ability to balance and navigate high up in the trees helps them stay safe and access food in places where other animals can’t reach. Their adaptations for balance show how animals evolve to survive in different environments. You can watch the squirrels in the daytime and opossums at night.
botany jar illustration

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 Sanchez 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.

Sánchez Elementary School is close to downtown on Austin’s east side. Built in 1976, the campus boasts murals by Raul Valdez depicting the school’s Hispanic history and heritage. Sánchez was one of the district’s first to introduce two-way dual language education- fitting because the school’s namesake, George Sánchez, was a pioneer in bilingual education. This project was made possible by HEB.

Skip to content