My Nature Connection for Educators

Camp Fire Watersheds

Learn about the various water sources here at camp and around Minnesota.

Grades: 5+ | Takes: 20 min

Wondering About Woodpeckers

Learn about the different species in Minnesota, discover why woodpeckers don’t get headaches, and observe a woodpecker in its natural habitat.

Grades: 1-5 | Takes: 40-50 min

Dandelion Dance

Learn about seeds, pollinators, and the life cycle of a dandelion through a hands-on activity.

Grades: K-6 | Takes: 20 min

New Age Nuclear

Read about the pros and cons of nuclear power and build your own thoughts on this renewable energy source.

Grades: 4-12 | Takes: 30 min

Earth Day

Read about the origins of Earth Day, create a nature mural, and play an Earth Day Jeopardy game.

Grades: 5-12 | Takes: 60 min

Solar Power Scientists

Learn the science behind solar power, discover the largest solar power plants in the world, and plan your own plant using google maps.

Grades: 3-12 | Takes: 45 min

Propagation Project

Students will learn how to propagate a plant from a vegetable scrap and map the growth of their new plant.

Grades: K-8 | Takes: multi-week project

Curious About Clouds

Learn about the 4 main types of clouds and go on a “cloud hunt” to see which types you can identify.

Grades: K-6 | Takes: 30 min 

Animal Tracks in the Snow

Using observation skills, learn how to identify different animal tracks in the snow.

Grades: K-3 | Takes: 40-50 min 

Snowflake Scientists

Learn the science behind snowflakes and create a fun, at-home snowflake craft.

Grades: K-4, 6 | Takes: 45 min 

Nature Journal

Create and decorate a journal using found items from the outdoors while exploring nature and making scientific observations.  

Grades: K+ | Takes: 40-60min

Animal Adaptation Superpowers

Create your own animals with realistic or imagined adaptations.

Grades: 1-5 | Takes: 40-60 min

Water Filtration

Learn about pollution and design & build a water filter system from a homemade mixture.

Grades: 1-12 | Takes: 60-90 min

Wind Energy

Learn about renewable energy and then build a model wind turbine (pinwheel), form a hypothesis, and test the design.

Grades: 1-12 | Takes: 50-60 min

Watch Video

Aquaponics

Learn about aquaponics and build a craft of this system that includes all of the symbiotic parts

Grades: 1-12 | Takes: 45 min

Frost in a Can

Learn the science behind frost and complete a hands-on experiment to make your own frost at home.

Grades: 2-5 | Takes: 15-20 min

Engineering Design

Become an engineering problem solver by designing and building a chair and a bridge using minimal everyday materials.

Grades: 2- 12 | Takes: 60-90 min

Urban Agriculture

Gain an understanding of community gardens and their importance for communities.

Grades: 2-12 | Takes: 30 min

Invasive Species

Learn about different terrestrial and aquatic invasive species and their threat to Minnesota landscapes.  

Grades: 3-8 | Takes: 30 min

Baffling Botanists

Go on a virtual tour of the Camp Fire garden, learn about fruits and vegetables, and debunk misconceptions about them through a hands-on experiment.

Grades: 3-8 | Takes: 30-40 min

Climate Change & Activism

Students will learn the basics of climate change, how it is affecting Minnesota, and create posters that inspire change.

Grades: 3-12 | Takes: 60 min

Neighborhood Plant and Animal Exploration

Identify and research different species of plants and animals in nature with the aid of the iNaturalist app. 

Grades: 4+ | Takes: 30-40min

Wildland Fire

Learn about the history, common causes, challenges and ways nature benefits from wildfire. 

Grades: 5-12 | Takes: 20-30 min

Migration Investigation

Learn about bird migration and some of the dangers that birds face on their journeys. Then create a bird migration map of a local area.

Grades: 5-12 | Takes: 40 min

Hydrology and Dams

Gain a better understanding of the Importance of hydrology and take an online quiz to test your water footprint.

Grades: 5-12 | Takes: 20-30 min