Science Exploration Day at Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area May 13
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By LeAnn R.Ralph
COLFAX — A Science Exploration Day is scheduled at the Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area on Saturday, May 13.
This is an opportunity for children and their parents or grandparents to learn about science and nature.
The lessons will feature Pond Ecosystems; Spring Plants and Birds; and Rocks, Minerals and Geology.
The three lessons will run concurrently with one lesson at 9 a.m., the second lesson at 10 a.m., and the third lesson at 11 a.m. — that is, if you go out with the pond lesson at 9 a.m., two other groups will go out with the plant and birds lesson and with the rocks and geology lesson. At 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. you will switch groups.
The lessons, which will be geared toward students in grades 2 through 8, will be hands-on and will last about 50 minutes.
All learners of all ages are welcome to attend.
Parents are asked to accompany young children.
Lunch will be provided at noon.
The event is free.
Birds and blooms
Dr. Julia Chapman is an instructor of Environmental Science at UW-Stout.
Dr. Chapman’s educational background is in botany and forest ecology, and she enjoys birding as a hobby.
During the Spring Plants and Birds lesson, you will explore the sights and sounds of spring in the Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area, including Ferry Pond.
If you have binoculars or a magnifying lens, by all means, bring them along.
Ferry Pond
Mark Mosey is a retired high school biology teacher who taught biology at Colfax High School for 31 years.
Mosey’s educational background is in Wildlife Biology and Science Education. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast and enjoys hunting for waterfowl and fishing for walleye.
Participants will discover which critters call Ferry Pond home and will learn how to collect, identify and discover the role these living beings play in the food chain of the pond.
Attendees will get up close and become acquainted with some of the aquatic animals that are easily collected along the edges of Ferry Pond.
You can expect to have fun while learning about the wonderful world of pond life.
Rocks
M. Paul Verdon is an Earth Science teacher in the Menomonie school district.
His educational background is in Earth Science and Science Education.
Verdon is an avid outdoor enthusiast and loves to hunt, fish, hike and ski.
Participants will learn about the common rocks and minerals of Wisconsin.
Basic Minerals, Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary Rocks will be explained and identified.
Questions that will be explored are how do agates form? And why do we find agates in the Red Cedar River Valley?
Attendees will be able to keep the rocks and minerals they collect.
Location
The Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area is west of Colfax on state Highway 170 just south of the intersection of county Highway W and 170 and directly across from River Road and Felland Park.
This event is free, is open to all learners of all ages and is sponsored by the CRCPRA Planning Committee.
A free lunch will be provided at noon and is courtesy of Kyle’s Market in Colfax and donations from various individuals.
The menu will include roasted weiners and buns, chips, fruit and water.
Participants should dress appropriately for weather and outdoor activities.
If you have binoculars, water boots, sketch pad and pencil and a collection bag, feel free to bring them with you.
All participants must sign up for the event so the committee can plan accordingly for lunch and for materials and handouts.
Visit the Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area’s Facebook page to find a link to the registration form. (Do a Facebook search for Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area.)
Or you can e-mail one of the committee members for the link or to ask questions about Science Exploration Day — Mark Mosey, thormosey@gmail.com; Paul Verdon, michael_verdon@msd.k12.wi.us; or Kathy Stahl, stahland@gmail.com.
Science Exploration Day on Saturday, May 13, starts at 9 a.m. and concludes after lunch is served at noon.
