Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC) will host a variety of free daily hands-on activities each afternoon of Spring Break March 17-21, providing a chance for people to get out and explore the diversity of the wetlands.
A different activity will take place from 1-4 p.m. each day. The event is informal, come-and-go, and no registration is required. Activities are geared toward school aged-children. After enjoying the hands-on activities, visitors can check out the center’s interactive exhibit hall, classroom with live animals, 16-minute video about Cheyenne Bottoms, and walk the nature trail. They can also grab a map and take a self-guided tour of the wetlands.
Following is a synopsis of each day’s activities:
Monday, March 17 – Dancing Seeds
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, let’s talk about green plants and where they come from: seeds! Unlock the mystery of seeds by dissecting a seed, studying how they move, making seeds move with a fun experiment, and planting your own seed to take home and care for.
Tuesday, March 18 – Walking on Water
Water striders are an insect that are built to walk on water! How do they do it? Find out during this program and learn more about these interesting aquatic invertebrates. You’ll also get to make a water strider to see if you can get it to float like the real insect.
Wednesday, March 19 – Batty for Bats
Discover the incredible world of these night flyers with hands-on activities and a craft. Learn how scientists identify different bat species and how bats provide balance for our eco-system. Create a paper bat hand puppet to take home with you.
Thursday, March 20 – Backbone Biology
Explore the world of invertebrates! 97 percent of all animals species are invertebrates, but what is an invertebrate? It is an animal without a backbone, but there is much more than that. Learn all about what makes an invertebrate and even meet some of the Center’s own live critters. Then, make your own take-home insect carrier.
Friday, March 21 – Silly, Sleek, and Splendid: The Spectacular World of Salamanders
Crawl into the sensational world of salamanders - what they are, where they live and more! Plus, meet our own live salamander ambassador-Ms Pac-man. Get crafty with your very own salamander mask and make a salamander life cycle wheel!
Can’t join us in person or want a teaser of the activity? At 10 a.m. each day, tune in to https://www.facebook.com/wetlandscenterfor a chance to meet the staff member presenting that day and a story that fits the theme of the afternoon activity.
