Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in January. Here are some opportunities:
Nature Inquiry Workshop Series set for early childhood educators
The Nature Inquiry Workshop Series is a weekly virtual event for early childhood educators starting Jan. 3. The workshops — at 6 p.m. — are free.
Each workshop explores inquiry-based learning using an element of nature, such as birds or insects. Educators will learn how to facilitate inquiry-based learning, which prioritizes a learner’s questions and ideas by engaging their sense of curiosity and awe.
The themes are: Jan. 3 – Birds; Jan. 10 – Seasons; Jan. 17 – Insects; Jan. 24 – Senses; and Jan. 31 – Life Cycles.
Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov to register. For questions, email jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov.
Little Saplings early childhood program presents Evergreens
Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at Schramm Education Center near Gretna.
The 2023 series begins Jan. 4 with the theme Evergreens at 9 a.m. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregiver. The cost is $4 per child and $5 per adult per program and includes admission to the Education Center after the program.
See the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information.
‘The Science of …’ virtual webinar series continues
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s virtual webinar series “The Science of …” continues in January. Every Thursday at 3 p.m. Central time, Game and Parks educators will discuss the science behind common things regarding nature and animals.
The topics are: Jan. 5 – Woodpeckers; Jan. 12 – Keystone Species; Jan. 19 – Prairie Chickens; Jan. 26 – Darters and Minnows
The webinars are free, but separate registration is required for each. See the calendar event entries at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for registration links.
Contact monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov for more information.
‘Trees and Me’ early childhood educator workshop planned
Early childhood educators are invited to join the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to learn about “Trees and Me,” new curriculum aimed at connecting children to trees in their neighborhood.
The free virtual course is 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 5 Central time.
The course will explore activities from Project Learning Tree’s Trees & Me curriculum focused on students ages 1-6. The virtual course qualifies for Nebraska Department of Education Office of Early Childhood in-service hours.
Register through the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov. For questions, email jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov.
Nature Detectives offers animal ID skills
Join Family Nature Club: Nature Detectives from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 7 at Elks Shelter, Riverside Park, Scottsbluff to sharpen your observation skills.
Families will discover how to look for animal tracks and other signs of animal activity to find out which animals have visited an area. All should dress for the weather, and bring snacks or water as needed.
Family Nature Club is intended for children and their grownups. Each family group will receive an Exploration Kit to use during the series to investigate the nature around them and to complete challenges at home between sessions.
Register for the free event through the listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov. For questions, email jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov.
Join the Winter Family Nature Club
Winter doesn’t mean outdoor adventure has to end; it just changes the experience.
Join the Winter Family Nature Club, an effort to empower families to explore nature and practice outdoor skills even in wintertime.
Events are planned from 1-2:30 p.m. Jan. 14, Feb. 11 and March 11 at Maskenthine Lake Recreation Area near Stanton.
Registration is required through the listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov. For questions, email jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov.
Wildcat Tales preschool program is Jan. 17
Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host the monthly Wildcat Tales preschool program Jan. 17.
The program Groundhogs will meet at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. Mountain time. There will be a lesson plan, story and hands-on activity specifically targeted for children ages 2-6 years.
The program is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required. For more information contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Homeschool Hike set for Jan. 18-19 at Schramm Park SRA
Homeschool families are invited to join an outdoor educator on a guided hike to learn about fish at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna during the Homeschool Hikes program Jan. 18 and 19.
Homeschool Hikes is a monthly nature exploration program hosted by the Schramm Education Center geared toward homeschool families.
During the January program, participants will take a guided hike to the canyon ponds to observe trout in their habitat and then will spend the rest of the program in the nature center classroom creating art for the 2023 Fish Art Contest, a national competition to learn about native fish and their habitat.
The program will be offered both from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 18 and 2 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 19.
Participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance at forms.gle/Vjg38GEqXHgGEkLFA. Cost is $4 per child and $5 per adult per program. This includes admission to the Schramm Education Center after the program. Schramm Family Pass members participate free.
This program is recommended for ages 5 and up.
Participants should dress in season-appropriate layers and wear closed-toed shoes that can get dirty. Hats and water bottles are recommended.
Wildcat Hills to host Rough Reptiles homeschool program
Discover the bumpy, lumpy reptiles of western Nebraska and learn their adaptations during the Wildcat Hills Homeschool Program Rough Reptiles on Jan. 19.
This program meets at 10 a.m. Mountain time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center.
The program is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required. For more information contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Join Getting Little Feet Wet early childhood educator workshop
Early childhood educators are invited to join the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to learn about early childhood curriculum focused on exploring aspects of water.
The free virtual course is 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 19 Central time.
The course explores 11 interactive, hands-on activities from Project Learning Tree’s Getting Little Feet Wet, which is aimed at students ages 1-6. The virtual course qualifies for Nebraska Department of Education Office of Early Childhood in-service hours.
Register through the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov. For questions, email jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov.
The post Catch these Game and Parks education events in January appeared first on Nebraskaland Magazine.
