VINS Field Trip

Super fun trip to Vermont Institute of Natural Science.  We had a great time exploring and learning! 

Bird Beaks

We have been learning about bird beaks and the different ways they are adapted to get different foods.  Students explored eight different stations testing all three tools to determine which would be best for the type of food the bird eats.   

 

Edible Bird Nests

We melted butter and marshmallows and added Rice Krispies cereal to the mix to create edible nests.  The students commented that these were SO much easier make than the nests from nature materials.    Of course, we added eggs (jelly beans) to the nests before eating them for snack!  

Bird Nests

 We gathered materials from outside (pine needles, sticks, leaves) and mixed up some mud to create our own bird nests.  

Bird Feet

We learned that there are many different types of bird feet and that the birds use their feet in different ways to help them survive in  their habitat.   We made our own bird feet from clay, attached pipe cleaner legs and a picture of a bird.  

Waterproof Bird Feathers

We have been learning about bird feathers.  We wanted to explore more about what happens when birds preen their feathers.  We rubbed one paper feather with oil and left the other one plain.  After dropping water down both feathers, we discovered the one with oil stayed waterproof!