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Bird Beak DIY

Activity

Form Follows Function

Wading and shore birds have many adaptations that help them thrive in wetland and coastal environments. Some of these adaptations are long beaks, long legs, and webbed feet. Create a long “beak” that you can use to pick up things around campus using items found in your backpack or around you in nature, like sticks, moss, pens, rubber bands, etc.

Science Seed

The saying “form follows function” applies well to bird beaks. Charles Darwin based his theory of evolution on the different shapes of mockingbird beaks found on different Galapagos Islands. Raptors have sharp beaks for tearing meat, seed-eating birds have thick beaks that are strong enough to crack seed shells, and hummingbirds have beaks that match the flowers they prefer to get nectar from.

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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.