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Solar Orientation

Activity

Sun-Guided Navigation

Learn to orient yourself using the sun’s warmth to understand cardinal directions.

a little child looking at the ocean waves at sunset

Science Seed

The sun is like a giant compass. On a sunny day, you can use the warmth of the sun to figure out which direction you are facing. Start by going outside with a helper in the morning. Stand still in a spot where you can feel the sun on your skin. If you feel the sun’s warmth on your right cheek before noon, it means you are facing north because the sun rises in the east. Later in the day, return to the same spot in the afternoon and repeat the process. If your right cheek feels warm again in the afternoon, then you are facing south because the sun sets in the west, and moves from east to west throughout the day. If the top of your head is the warmest, it is probably noon and the sun is directly overhead, so you will not be able to tell if you are facing north, south, east or west. If your whole face feels warm in the afternoon, you are probably facing west, towards the setting afternoon sun. This activity helps you learn about the sun’s position and how it can guide you in finding directions.

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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 Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Ecologist School Pocket Guide: TSBVI edition is a collaboration between Families in Nature and the Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired as an effort to help our community learn more about the TSBVI campus, while getting outside into nature together! This booklet has 80 lessons across 16 different branches of science to help you play, learn, and volunteer on campus!

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.