Choose Learning Type ▼

Wing to Wing

Activity

Measuring Your Wingspan

Using adapted measuring tools like a ruler, tape measure or your nature ruler from the Anthropology lessons, measure your wingspan! How do you compare to the different native Texas birds listed below? What is your favorite bird’s wingspan?
three Whooping Cranes flying in the blue sky with clouds behind them
black and white Wandering albatross, one of the largest birds in the world with the greatest wingspan of any bird.
Andean Condor, a large black bird that lives in the Andes mountain range, gliding in the sky

Science Seed

Wingspan is the distance between the tips of a pair of wings when they are spread out, or for humans, the distance across both of your outstretched arms! To find your wingspan, spread your arms into a T shape and measure the distance between your fingertips of one hand, across your body, and all the way to your other hand’s fingertips. Then compare to your favorite bird! Whooping cranes have a wingspan of 7.5 ft, bald eagles, 7 ft., great blue heron, 6.5 ft, turkey vulture, 6ft. red tailed hawk, 4.5 ft. The wandering albatross in the arctic has the largest wingspan on Earth of up to 12 feet! A large wingspan is good for birds that travel long distances as it helps them glide more in the air and flap their wings less, saving energy. A short wingspan is good for birds that live in forests, helping them turn quickly and navigate their homes for food like flying insects between the trees.
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 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.
Skip to content