COVID-19 Resources
We developed lots of resources during the COVID-19 pandemic and we thought we would leave them here for teachers to distribute to students, use with their own children or share with colleagues. We also have a lot of activities with worksheets on our Loaner Program page. Email Teresa if you have requests for future programs, activities or videos.
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Ohio Fossils Rock! - Did you know that Cincinnati has some of the best preserved fossils from the Ordivician Era (about 450 mya)? Learn how a fossil is formed and why we have so many great examples right here in our own backyard.
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All Soils are NOT Created Equal - So, you think all soil is the same, well, Education Specialist Gwen Roth is here to tell you that's not true. Learn about particle size, permeability and porosity in this engaging video as well as why our soil is so important for daily life.
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The Earth as an Apple - Did you know that there is a small, finite amount of soil on our planet to grow food for the 7+ billion people living on our planet? You can do this very simple activity at home and check out the specific instructions here. Lesson credit: Soil Science Society of America
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Enviroscape (Watershed) Model - Many of you have seen this wonderful 3-dimensional model in your classroom. Learn about watersheds, human impacts on the environment and ways that you can help improve your local water resources and your community.
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Wiggly Worms - This video is filled with tons (ok, maybe not tons, but definitely a lot) of fun fact about worms. Learning about Red Wigglers (Eisenia fetida) and how they can help compost our food scraps and why worms are beneficial to our gardens. NOTE: If you have a worm bin, please DO NOT release these worms outside. They are not native to our area and may cause problems to our native ecosystem.
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Spiders as Garden Helpers - Spiders are integral to our environment and often help control pest populations. Here's a video our former Garden Coach Maria Gulley put together for the Head Start teachers she worked with last year. There's lots of great activities you can replicate with your young students.
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The Owl Ate What?!?! - Owls do not digest everything they eat and instead regurgitate (throw-up) what they cannot digest (think fur, bones, teeth, etc). We call these regurgitated pieces 'owl pellets.' Join Public Involvement Coordinator, Sara Fehring and her daughter Maci as they dissect this pellet. Can you guess what the owl ate?
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Nature Scavenger Hunt - Nature is full of so many wonderful colors, shapes and things to explore. Check out this video our former Garden Coach Maria Gulley put together for the Head Start teachers she worked with last year. This is a great activity for PreK students, but can be easily adapted to older students as well. Find the worksheets here.
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Caterpillars and Worms - Join Gwen as she reads one of her favorite books about two best friends, Bob the Caterpillar and Otto the Worm. Learn some of the differences between caterpillars and worms and why they are both important to our environment. Then bust out those craft supplies and make a chrysalis and butterfly.
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What Type of Mushroom is That? - Join Sara and her 'fungi' Michael as they discover a Morel Mushroom on their walk. Did you know there are over 2,000 types of mushrooms in Ohio, but don't try to eat many of them as they can be harmful!
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