Progress Report #5 4-10-03

This topic submitted by Austin Kleon (KLeonaw@.muohio.edu) on 4/10/03. Additions were last made on Thursday, April 10, 2003. Section:

Just wanted to note that at Hueston Woods today Laura and I talked to the Naturalist there who does creek programs with the children, Andy Farell. He was really friendly and helpful. Turns out last Saturday he actually led a creek walk, so we missed it, even though we were around--he said he thought he saw our bus. Here's some of what else he had to
say:

He was at first apprehensive about starting a creek program, but it quickly turned into his favorite thing out of all the activities he does with children. Things don't really get started until after Memorial Day when the weather gets better, and then the creek groups are about 20 on average. He does a trip once a week in the summer, various kids from all kinds of backgrounds participate, usually they're on vacation with their families. They catch snakes, turn over rocks, and look for other animals. He said that it's
really an adventure for the kids, they have this sense of discovery. I asked him if he thought it was the creek or the explorer-like activities that interested the children. He said it was when they got wet and dirty that they really had fun, but yeah, giving them a task and an exploration helps them to connect with the nature.

This seems to echo exactly what the 3rd grade teacher from Marshall Elementary told me: that kids just love getting wet and dirty. I also observed that kids had the most fun when they overturned rocks, found animals, any sign of life, etc.

Farell also said he can hold a worm in his hand, and they don't really want to know what it's called, but when he tells them that one day it will turn into a bug that will fly around, they become amazed.

Very cool stuff, seems to go along with a lot of our course readings--it seems that when the creek becomes an adventure
or an exploration--that's when the nature really comes alive.

Farell also suggested we get in contact with Prof. Mike Vanni @ Miami. He's been doing a lot of research on the creeks upstream and downstream from the Dam.

So if we can actually get some kids to talk to us and write some poetry/ draw pictures, our project will be on its
way. Still want to hunt down Frimmerman.

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