Nature Scopes Returns to Burton Elementary 5th-GradersBerkshire fifth graders had a wonderful day with binoculars. Geauga Park District staff and volunteers visited Burton Elementary School…
Nature Scopes Returns to Burton Elementary 5th-Graders
Berkshire fifth graders had a wonderful day with binoculars. Geauga Park District staff and volunteers visited Burton Elementary School to introduce students to its well-known program, Nature Scopes.
Thanks to generous donations, the students were treated to a pair of binoculars and field guides as well as nature magazines. They learned the parts of the binoculars, as well as what the numbers mean for magnification of power and light. They also learned how to set the binoculars to their own eyesight, and then they practiced the method of look, lock and lift to view nature in the schoolyard.
Students saw birds, both live and steel, bee nests and a squirrel playing in the branches. Then, they learned how they could use the binoculars as a microscope. If one turns them upside down and holds an object very close to the eyepiece, it will magnify the view to see great detail. Students really saw how the skin and nails on their hands look.
The binoculars are on loan to the students for the school year, but hopefully, as in the past, generous donations will allow them to keep the binoculars. In the meantime, they will be doing activities at school using the binoculars, and hopefully, the students will be able to attend the several special events the Geauga Park District has planned especially for them on weekends with their families.
The first event was Nov. 3 at the Rookery for the Heron Hike. Students saw up to 100 blue heron nests that are several feet wide. They also saw evidence of the blue heron diet.
Many thanks go to John Kolar and all the volunteers who worked so patiently with the students helping them learn how to use these great pieces of scientific equipment.
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