Hand-warmers, pine cone bird feeders, exploring outside

The Green Rangers started this blog after having 2 classes in December, so we are going to share some of the things that we have done.  Maybe you would like to try them too!

We walked the loop trail in the Eastman Conservation Area behind Newman School in Needham, MA.  The trail is easy.  It took us about a 1/2 hr because we stopped to look at things.  We started at the pond, then went to the field, walked through the woods and then on the boardwalk through the swamp.  In the woods we found a log that had lots of scales from pine cones on it and scattered around it.  Also, there were pine cone cores with all of the scales missing.   The cones were from White Pine trees.  We decided that squirrels or chipmunks sat on the log while eating the pine cone seeds. 

We collected uneaten pine cones to bring back to the Science Center for a project next week.

Back at the Science Center, we made reusable hand-warmers.  Here is what you need:

• cotton flannel (we used 4" x 8" pieces)
• needle and thread
• rice
• measuring cup
• funnel
• sharpie markers

The flannel was folded in half (making a 4" x 4" square) and sewed up on 3 sides.  Then we used sharpie markers to put our initials on the warmers (we each had 2 warmers).  Some of us decorated them too.  Then we used a funnel and the measuring cup to pour 1/3 cup of rice inside.  The open side was then rolled over and sewn up.

When we put all of our 16 warmers in the microwave together, it takes 1 min. 45 sec. to heat them up to a comfortable temperature.  We can use them right away or put them in an insulated lunch bag to carry outside and then put them in our mittens or gloves when our hands start feeling cold.  They stay warm for about 20 minutes.  There is nothing to throw away afterward, like disposable hand-warmers!  We can use them again and again.

The next week, we explored a very short trail between Newman school and Cusick baseball field on Central Ave.  It took us only 3 minutes to walk the trail. When we got there, we tried out our hand-warmers (brought in the lunch bag).  They were nice and toasty warm! At the field we found lots of deer tracks and many deer droppings.  The tracks were very easy to see in the dirt of the baseball diamond and in the wet grass.  In the grassy outfield, we found a number of holes leading into tunnels.  The holes looked like they were 1-2 inches across.  We think that voles made these.  While we were there, a red-tailed hawk flew low overhead.  On the way back, we went a bit off of the trail where it looked like animals had traveled.  We found a coyote scat!  Our instructor collected it in a baggie.

Back at the Science Center, we made pine cone bird feeders.  Here's what you need:

• pine cones
• suet
• bird seed
• string
• newspaper
• knives for spreading suet
• latex-free gloves

This is messy, so we spread newspapers all over the tables and wore latex-free gloves.  We tied spring near the top of each pine cone.  The suet blocks were microwaved a little so that they were softer.  We used the knives to spread suet all over the cones and then rolled the cones in bird seed.  Then we wrapped the cones up in wax paper to bring them home.  We can hang them by the strings from the branches of shrubs or small trees.  Birds and squirrels love the seeds and suet.