We have received a generous grant from the Minnesota River Valley

Audubon Chapter.  It provided for four solar-powered bird feeders with motion-detecting cameras.  The grant also comes with bird food to put into the feeders.  The cameras will be put into different areas of the community so students can see photos of a variety of birds and try their hand at identifying them.

Science From Scientists was back to work with third grade students this week.  They dissected owl pellets and learned about the ecosystem of the owl.   Students were able to find bones, teeth, and skulls of the owl's prey.

Third graders participated in a Science From Scientists class on camouflage and mimicry in connection to their bird study.  They played a game with making observations of beetles eaten in certain environments and seasons.

In the final day of their Compas art residency, third graders created birds that were adapted to survive in different environments.  They used informational texts as their source material.

In the first day of their week-long art residency, third graders observed flowers and then made their own.

Third graders investigated crayfish today.  They looked at the possible defenses the macroinvertebrates would use against birds and predicted how the birds would adapt to eating them.

Students were using different scientific tools to learn more about bird feathers.  First, they used just their eyes to make and record observations.  Next, they used hand lenses.  Finally, students utilized the digital microscopes to see finer details.

After learning about the different types of bird beaks and their functions, students took part in the bird beak buffet!  They had tools to represent the different types of beaks and had to pick up various foods.

Students headed out to the trails at the back of the school to do some bird watching.  They practiced using binoculars on some stationary birds that were located near the nature center.

Third graders heard about various state birds from the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine Raptor Center.