FHSU University Relations
Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center will host several drop-in events on Thursday, Dec. 26, and Friday, Dec. 27.
The December WILD program will take place on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the KWEC Classroom. Participants will learn more about the animals behind common tracks and will have the opportunity to make a plaster track ornament to take home.
Weather permitting, participants will look for tracks and evidence of Cheyenne Bottom's winter residents along the nature trail. WILD is a monthly series for school-age kids and their families. The mission is to get kids outside exploring and off their devices. No registration is required for this free activity.
Then, on Friday from 1-3:30 p.m., participants can experience the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math of winter trees through a variety of hands-on interactive activities. Come out for an afternoon of adventure, a come-and-go event.
Get your winter break wiggles out and join us for a fun and educational Drop-in STEM day with a winter trees theme. This event is perfect for curious minds of all ages.
Science - Mistletoe - Decoration or Parasite? - Discover the fascinating world of mistletoe. Why do people kiss under it? Sometimes shotguns are used for harvesting mistletoe, and their berries can explode, ejecting seeds up to 60 mph.
Technology - Create your own spinning Christmas tree to take home. The simple electronics of this project will wow your kids until they go back to school. In a bonus technology station, we'll explore our Cheyenne Bottoms Chronolog, following a time-lapse of one particular tree in the marsh.
Engineering - Use a hammer, wood, nails, wheels, and axles to construct the classic truck carrying a tree.
Math - Learn how to measure the height and diameter of a tree and understand how much lumber can be harvested.
Take home STEM kit - Continue the learning fun at home. Get a special STEM kit to grow your own crystal tree over your winter break.
No registration is required for the free events.
For more information, call the KWEC at 1-877-243-9268.
Kansas Wetlands Education Center, affiliated with FHSU’s Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics, is located 10 miles northeast of Great Bend at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. More information can be found at wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu.