children winter gear exploring outside

Exploring Winter Phenomena: Outdoor Science for Young Learners

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Meaningful science learning does not have to freeze when the temperatures drop.

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Outdoor Phenomena for Young Learners

Winter offers the opportunity to experience compelling outdoor phenomena. Primed by their natural curiosity, younger learners can grow their science and engineering knowledge by investigating and asking questions about the world around them.  This article featuring Jared McGovern, director of Wanderwood Gardens in Dubuque highlights strategies and tips for exploring outdoor phenomena with young learners, even when the temperatures drop. 

Be sure to check out the selection below of selected phenomena contributions for young learners, and then explore the full collection.

    A golden retriever with thick fur. There is snow on the ground behind the dog.

    Thicker Fur in Winter

    Image
    Orange City
    Animals, including dogs, change their bodies and lifestyles with the seasons and other situations in order to survive.
    A snowy front yard of a house in the country.

    Winter Storm Preparation

    Image
    Roland
    Weather forecasting can help us safely respond to severe winter weather.
    A squirrel nest in a tree with no leaves.

    Building Animal Nests

    Image
    Pleasant Hill
    Animals such as birds and squirrels build nests in trees and bushes outdoors.
    Three sets of animal tracks in the snow.

    Snow Tracks

    Image
    Des Moines
    Multiple animal tracks are visible in the fresh, morning snow. There appear to be three sets of tracks that seem to come close to the backyard of a house.
    A sunrise over a line of trees and buildings.

    Changing Length of Daylight

    Image
    Pleasant Hill
    In Iowa, as summer changes to fall and winter, the sun sets earlier at night and rises later in the mornings.
    A lone tree that does not have any leaves on it.

    Leafless Trees in Winter

    Image
    Pleasant Hill
    After the leaves change color in the fall, they fall off and don't grow back right away.
    A group of items which can be helpful in the event of severe weather.

    Forecasting and Preparing for Weather

    Image
    Pleasant Hill
    Watching the weather forecasts and having materials necessary for severe weather helps to predict and prepare for these events.
    Dormant grass

    Grass in Winter

    Image
    Sioux Center
    When the weather turns cold, the grass visibly changes and turns brown. When leaves lose their color they shrivel up and decompose.
    Birds migrating

    Bird Migration

    Image
    Sioux County
    In the winter some types of birds still around but others are not.
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