Camouflage at its Best!

Our Urban Naturalists have become experts in the game of "Camouflage". The game, similar to hide and seek, involves the students to use the surrounding habitat to blend in as not to be spotted by the seeker. The seeker, however, cannot move around from their designated spot. Instead, they must use their senses to try to find the students hiding in plain sight infront of them.

Can you spot our Urban Naturalist Expert Camouflager among the leaves? 

Leash the Pups!

Our students worked very hard to make sure we could conduct our science experiments within the park without worrying about puppies trying to join in. Thanks to the Friends of Blackstone Park, we are able to enjoy our time at the park even more with pups on leashes!

Sit Spot Surprises

Each Urban Naturalist chooses a spot to observe for the entire session to determine the various changes throughout the season. One of the Fall 2012 Scholars, Emilio, discovered some lovely mushrooms at his new spot! Check it out!

PBS Special

The PASA Summer Scholars program was featured in a PBS NewsHour Special over the summer. Check out the Urban Naturalists on National TV!

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/education/july-dec12/summerschool_08-20.html

The Creative Projects by Urban Naturalists!

6 Word Story Mural the Urban Naturalists are painting and placing in Blackstone Park

Map of Blackstone Park with areas of human interaction indicated along the trail

Comparative list of nature found at both Blackstone Park and Caratunk Wildlife Refuge in Seekonk, MA

Students collection of 6 Word Stories

Invasive Species Trading Cards created by the Urban Naturalists

The start of an epic tale of Carl, an Urban Naturalist, who battles invasive species along his travels!

Our mural is almost complete!

Urban Naturalist Display Case

Student's collection of biofacts from the 4-week program

While playing a game titled The Un-natural Trail, students were asked to find plastic animals hidden along a set trail. This was to help teach them how to better use observation skills. During this game, a few students discovered a snake shed, a leaf containing a gall, a large beetle and a collection of spotted feathers (perhaps part of a kill site). I guess we didn't need to practice observation techniques with plastic animals after all! They were naturals at being Urban Naturalists!

Over the 4 weeks, we have collected even MORE to add to our display case. Check out our findings!

Invasive Species Service Project Day

Invasive Species Removal
Service Project Day

Students pulling up Japanese Knotweed at Blackstone Park in Providence, Rhode Island

Taking down some Japanese Knotweed!

Trying to pull the Invasive Species out by the roots

Singing as we work

Students pulled up large portions of Knotweed from under the ground

Students take a water break

Crescendo helped us dig up plants!

Group with all our work from the day!

Silly photo!

Journaling

Student shares his 6 Word Story and drawings

LOOK OUT RI!: Marmorated Stink Bugs Invading Connecticut

An invasive type of stink bug has hitchhiked its way into Connecticut and is threatening fruits, vegetables and flowers.

Called the brown marmorated stink bug, the spotted insect came to the United States from Asia as a stowaway on cargo containers. Entomologists believe they arrived in Allentown, Pa., in 1996 and spread to New Jersey in 1998. Since then, the insect has spread to 33 states and the District of Columbia.

 But the brown marmorated stink bug feeds on more than 70 plants and has no known biological enemy, said Chris T. Maier, entomologist with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven.

When this pest eats plants and flowers, it leaves brown spots behind, and with the nymphs and adults eating the same plant, they can cause significant damage. This stink bug is known to eat apples, peaches, nectarines, pears, cherries, apricots, figs, raspberries, blackberries, grapes, sweet corn and field corn, soybeans, lima beans, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, roses, honeysuckle, lilacs, maples and dogwoods. These pests also feed on perennials, sunflowers, hazelnuts and pecans.

 

There are no insecticides known to effectively kill this nuisance, although scientists are working on it.

With nothing to stop the brown marmorated stink bugs from spreading, populations can reach levels high enough to cause serious damage to crops within a few years after arriving in an area, Maier said.

In the mid-Atlantic states such as Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the stink bug populations soared last year, damaging so many crops that they hurt apple and peach growers financially.

But if you spot a brown marmorated stink bug, she said, immediately contact the experiment station (see instructions below.) The brown marmorated stink bug is the only brownish stink bug, over one-half-inch long, with distinctive white bands on each antenna, Maier said.

Both the adults and nymphs can be found on the underside of leaves from June to August, said Joan Allen, assistant cooperative extension educator in residence at the University of Connecticut.

To kill any such bugs found outside, shake them into a bucket of soapy water or into a plastic zippered bag, and put it in the freezer. Like all stink bugs, they emit a pungent odor when threatened, so try to avoid direct contact. 

>>If you see an adult bug, collect a specimen, note the date and contact Chris Maier at Chris.Maier@ct.gov/. Please mark the town where it was found, and send it to Maier at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, P.O. Box 1106, New Haven, CT 06504.

Are Humans Invasive Species?

Six Word Stories Created By Students

"Closing eyes to find unusual things" -Leila

"Trying to find my delicious prey" -Julisse

BARK by Emeril
CLEAN UP by Melvin
FOILED INVASIVE by Jordan
ADVOCATE by Julisse

Erosion at Blackstone

The students have been watching out for erosion around the park, when they learn about soil degradation and the importance of staying safe while helping protect the environment.

Student Created "PASA" Poster

Wordle War!

Based on some intense observation collection, these wordles represent our findings between the Nathan Bishop space and Blackstone Park. 

Bigger words are objects that more students collected observations on. 

 Can you tell which wordle is which?

Classroom Decor!

The VOCAB TREE is updated daily based on our newly defined and discussed words. We then recycle the words when we write six word stories or invasive species rap parodies.

The CLASSROOM RULES were created and voted on by the campers!

We found the ADVICE FROM A TREE at a tag sale and thought it was the perfect addition to our classroom. The advice goes as follows: "Stand tall and proud, sink your roots into the earth, be content with your natural beauty, go out on a limb, drink plenty of water, remember your roots, enjoy the view."

to post:

STUDENTS OF THE DAY/WEEK

RACE TO THE PARK GRAPH

FIRST DAY!

We all had an AWESOME first day. We'll give you the short and sweet:
We traveled to Blackstone Park, and spent the morning exploring and playing games!

Our student-designed park conduct rules:
1. keep the environment clean
2. respect dog's space
3. respect the trees
4. move at a slow pace to watch for roots as well as better utilize observation skills
5. respect your own and each other's space
6. stay with group and team leader at all times
7. if you're lost- sit where you are and make the "wolf howl"- we will find you!

Some of the topic covered included using the five senses, find someone who name-search game, identifying one thing you love about yourself, finding planted things unnatural to the trail like toys and papers, having an observational walk, and even a discussion of the scientific classification system!

Our Student Shout-Outs:
1. Elly and Jordan were wicked-awesome team leaders in the first activity, finishing first by meeting campers and being willing to be open-minded and creative.
2. Denise was a real friend in need when another camper fell on the walk, and she quickly came to the rescue. We hope that all the other campers can learn from this fantastic show of kindness!
3. Emeril used excellent observation techniques to find a leaf with a gall on it-  special small egg sack created by an insect in the fly family. These are very rare to find in nature so well preserved!
4. Last by very special indeed is our CAMPER OF THE DAY: Malcolm! He received recognition for his brilliant work being a great listener and ready to share, wearing his t shirt, and for his constant positive attitude.

We are so excited to see what else the summer will hold! Stay tuned!

Tips to Make Your Birdbath Better

All birds need water to drink, bathe, and preen, and adding even a simple bird bath to your yard can be helpful. Here are eight simple ways you can improve your birdbath.

 1. Keep It Clean: Dirty water is not as attractive as fresh, clean water. Clean and disinfect your birdbath with a solution of nine parts water and one part bleach every few days, and remove any leaves, feathers, or other debris daily to keep the water clean as long as possible.

2. Get a Grip: Birds need a rough surface to feel secure when perching to drink from a birdbath. If your birdbath is smooth and does not provide that type of grip, add several perches along the edge to make it easier for birds to use.

3. Move Along: Moving water is better than stagnant water, and birds will see the reflections of the moving water and hear the splashes from a great distance, attracting more friends to the water source. Add a dripper or wiggler to your existing bird bath, or investigate birdbaths with built in bubblers or fountains.

4. Rock the Bath: Adding a few medium-sized rocks to the birdbath will vary the water depth so smaller birds can feel more comfortable. Choose rocks that can also provide a grip for the birds and that are tall enough to poke out of the water to create extra perches.

5. Take It Up (or Down) a Level: Birdbaths with multiple levels can cater to more thirsty birds. Adding a saucer or extra dish on the ground at the base of a bird bath can be especially effective to let ground-feeding birds and larger species enjoy the water source.

6. Stick It Out in All Seasons: Birds need water year round, no matter what the weather or temperature. Investigate a heated birdbath for winter use, and place birdbaths in the shade during the summer to keep them cool and fresh longer.

7. Be Perfect With Perches: Adding nearby perches gives bathing birds a place to preen and dry off after using the bath, and thirsty birds may use perches while waiting their turn to drink. Plant bird-friendly landscaping near the birdbath with trees and bushes for perching, or use garden hooks and other decorations for instant perches.




8. Fill 'Er Up: Always keep a birdbath filled, even if it means adding a cup or two of water to the bath daily in the hottest weather. Birdbaths lose a lot of water to evaporation, and a bathing bird can splash a lot of water out of the basin. If the bath isn't filled, it isn't much use to the birds.

- Article courtesy of Melissa Mayntz, www.agway.com

Some Things To Look Forward To In The Afternoon Wonderwise Labs!

This experiment involved investigating a frozen balloon which made a huge ice cube, to which we added food coloring, rock salt, table salt, and anything else we could get our hands on! 

 

Have you ever wondered what one strawberry's DNA looks like? Well here it is! All those nucleotides rolled up into a visible coil. Pretty cool huh?! We completed this experiment with only common household items!

 Last but not least, this is the pasta tower challenge. Participants are given one yard of tape, one yard of string, twenty uncooked spaghetti sticks, and one giant marshmallow. The winner is the group with the tallest tower with marshmallow on top that stands up without support after fifteen minutes. And the winner is.... the group with your very own M. Dayon! Our tower, pictured here, stands at 27 inches. Can you beat this?

A special shout out to the wonderwise group, PASA, and my group mates including Liz and Alexis! We had such a blast getting trained on how to be better teamleaders so we can share the knowledge with all of you!

Note to Parents and Educators: We came home with a booklet of lots of other fun science projects you can do with simple household items. For more project ideas, or the list of materials and procedures for the above experiments, email me at edayon_8185@email.ric.edu Thanks!

A Six Word Story for US!

Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway was challenged to write a story in just six words. The result: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Hemingway regarded it as his greatest work. This idea for the "Six Word Story" has been borrowed by artists and educators the world over, as can be found following this clickable link.

We've just created one to get our enthusiasm flowing for the upcoming summer session. What do you think?

A Message from Blackstone Parks Conservancy

Garlic mustard is an invasive species, and, pretty as it is, it doesn’t belong in your garden.
The problem with invasive, or alien, species is that they often crowd out the native plants on which wildlife depends for food. Their strategies for success include a long growing season, deep tap roots for obtaining water, and chemicals that inhibit neighboring plants from thriving.
If you find garlic mustard anywhere, please remove it as follows:

1. Either cut the stem below the point where the leaves and stems emerge from the root (the crown). This has the advantage of not disturbing the soil and thus encouraging buried seeds to sprout.
 2. Or just pull it up.
In either case, if you think the plant has seed pods, please discard it in your trash.