Last Sunday, we had our first All-Ages Science Day, with a full house across both our spaces at 265 and 269 4th Avenue.
The day started with a flood in the 269 space, which was a challenge because one of the highlights of our day was an hour-long movie by Homegrown National Park, and we had close to 50 people in attendance. Thanks to a determined group of volunteers and two hours of brushing, mopping, wiping, and running several fans, the space was ready for the screening before the event began (a little damp, but smelling and looking clean and neat).
The event kicked off with several activity tables featuring insect-themed crafts, a collection of 25 live critters viewed under magnifying glasses (ranging from designer blue isopods to giant cicada killer wasps), rare insects preserved in amber to classify, and even an edible insect buffet. The tasting table sparked some very amusing reactions and was so popular that lines formed to sample everything from Mexican-spiced waxworms to salted caterpillars and crickets.
After the movie, we held an all-ages trivia match (the kids beat the adults effortlessly), and then we all headed outside to release 2,000 live ladybugs. Some of us ended up covered in the little critters, and even those who weren’t sure if they wanted to hold live insects quickly warmed up to the idea, proudly walking around with ladybugs crawling across their hands and arms.
It was a super fun event that focused on educating people of all ages about the importance of the smallest of creatures to our biodiversity, and fostering love and a desire to protect them and the habitats they need to survive.
I am so grateful to everyone who volunteered to help make this happen:
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Damon, Jens (Sarah Jensen’s husband), Bill, Vincent, and Saeed: The amazing cleanup crew that tackled the water in 269 in record time.
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Maria (EfC Parent), Sarah J., Janna, and Michele Sharon (our member from Texas who was visiting): Thank you for helping organize the rooms at 265, making signs, and staffing the activity tables with warm smiles and unwavering willingness to help. Maria even brought a few critters to add to the display!
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Our youth team—Bea, Nadine, Niyah, and Tahra: You worked hard carrying furniture, cleaning, making signs, staffing tables with enthusiasm and care, and sharing your knowledge to make the day a complete success.
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The Park Slope Homeschoolers’ Playgroup: A shoutout for helping catch the giant cicada killer wasp and several other local insects for our display (all were carefully fed and released back into Prospect Park later that Sunday).
I can’t wait to do it again!
Taty
Below are pictures from the day, including some brave bug-eaters, new ladybug lovers, and a lot of happy smiles.
CLICK ON THE PICTURES BELOW FOR SLIDES.
