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Sound Mapping

Activity

Map sounds

Map the sounds of a location. If you are with a group find a spot where you can spread out with at least ten feet between everyone. Draw an X on your page for where you are sitting. Close your eyes or use a blindfold and sit still and listen. Then without looking around, draw the area based on what you hear. Is there a bird high up (there’s probably a tree)? Is there traffic nearby (there is probably a road)? Do you hear the babbling of water? Open your eyes and compare your maps with what you see.

Science Seed

Modern humans are primarily driven by their sense of sight. Sound mapping helps us slow down and tune in to our other senses to notice the world around us. People record the sounds they hear differently, you can also use words for the noises that you hear.

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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 Travis 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.

SPARK’s mission is to work with public schools to develop their playgrounds into community parks. SPARK has built 200+ community parks in 17 different school districts throughout the Houston area. Each park is designed based on ideas and needs of the school and surrounding neighborhoods. While all of the parks are different, a typical park consists of modular playground equipment, a walking trail, benches, picnic tables, trees, an outdoor classroom, and a public art component.