If learning is framed as a game, with fun being a high priority, then there is less pressure to learn the "right answer," especially if complicated topics are involved.
The following games have been selected according to their suitability in both formal and non-formal situations and their educational value. An ideal time for this activity is at night, however, it can be played during the day. Always play on flat even ground without obstructions.
Echolocation or bio-sonar is the ability of some animals to locate objects using sound waves. They emit a range of sounds and listen for the echoes. Many animals, including cetaceans with teeth and some bats, make use of echolocation to orient themselves and detect prey. Many of the details of echolocation are not completely understood, so research on echolocation continues. What happens to a specie that uses echolocation when it encounters excessive noise in its environment?
An ideal location for this activity is a beach where a hopscotch diagram can be drawn in the sand. Ropes on grass, chalk on pavement and a set of carpet squares can also be used depending on the type of open space available.
The participants are all birds pick species that migrate flying from their summer habitat in Canada to their winter habitat in Mexico along their annual migration route the hopscotch diagram.
Summer habitat is at one end, winter habitat the other. While making the trip, the birds have places to stop, rest and sometimes eat often a wetland or body of water where they layover before resuming their migration. This activity looks at population cycles, food webs and nutrient cycles. The activity has two parts: the tag game and the optional graph that is created during the rounds of play. Always play on a large flat area without obstructions and an established perimeter.
Set-up consists of creating three groups of participants in concentric rings around each other. The MICE hang a bandana from their belt or pocket. Record the number of players in each group on the data sheet. The game is played in 30 second rounds, with data recorded after each round.
After 30 seconds play is stopped. First data is collected according to the following parameters, then the transformations outlined below occur and the next round can begin. Repeat the rounds of play 12 to 18 times to ensure sufficient data is collected to reveal any patterns.
Connect the dots. The lines should be fairly accurate representations of how populations of species change in an ecosystem. Ask participants to explain the patterns revealed by the graph. Was the game successful? Why or why not?
Talk about population cycles and interconnection of species. What does being tagged in the game simulate in a real forest environment? This activity explores the effect of consumption of non-renewable resources on future generations. Make a set of index cards with two of each for the following roles: grandchildren, children, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents.
To begin discuss the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources that humans rely on for survival. Continue by discussing which type of trading the participants preferred—unregulated or fixed rate. In this activity participants play a game where cooperative decisions about renewable resources must be made if all are to benefit.
The game reinforces the concept that cooperation, rather than selfishness, brings more long-term benefits to society. Circle the group. Then read the following rules to the participants—twice.
The players will likely empty the pool at the start of the game. Each time they do, declare the game over for you cannot double zero tokens. Then collect all the tokens and start over.
At the end of each round double the amount of remaining tokens then ask each player how many tokens they have. Every day isn't Earth Day, but it should be.
You probably do your best to make sure your children are environmentally responsible -- even the youngest kids can learn how to put things in the trash and why it's not a good idea to leave the bathroom faucet running.
You can lead by example by demonstrating good recycling practices, picking up litter, turning off unused lights and shunning plastic grocery bags. But sometimes, the entire family needs a little kick start. Even if your kids know the basics of being green, it never hurts to have a special occasion for really driving your examples home.
Earth Day is an opportunity to bring these lessons into sharper focus. We're not saying you have to sit your kids down and lecture them about programming the thermostat, composting and using compact fluorescent light bulbs. That would probably backfire and cause them to go on some sort of destructive environmental rampage -- so may we suggest the gentler and much more fun "playing games" method? Your kids will have a great time, and they'll learn much more in a hands-on manner than they would reading a book or watching a movie about environmental responsibility.
So, without further ado, here are five entertaining and educational kids' activities for Earth Day. This might be the easiest scavenger hunt you've ever organized -- no need to hide anything or buy items for the kids to find. Just let them loose in the backyard with a simple list of common backyard items: sticks, stones , feathers, flowers, bugs, different-colored leaves, whatever you can think of.
Older kids can build fairy houses and find patterns in nature. And if you play your cards right, you can have your yard cleaned up for free: Give bonus points for litter that can be trashed or recycled. For older kids who might be bored with a run-of-the-mill scavenger hunt, why not give geocaching a shot? It's like a high-tech, interactive treasure hunt. The only thing you'll need is a handheld GPS device.
Are you up for a hurricane or two? In the days to come, the weather will affect our lifestyle thanks to its fickleness. Gear up with the Weather Preparedness Adventure. Can the technology of today help us combat climate change? I think it can. But it has to start with education first and engagement second. Clim'Way is an excellent game that tries to do both. You will face the problem of greenhouse gas emissions on three fronts:. The baseline is the year Your goal is to achieve the above three by Let's hope you can do it in the game and we can do it in the real world too.
What is it about? Learn a lot about renewable wind energy by building a wind farm. This online environmental game was launched in But the game feels more timely now as renewable energy is on an upward climb. For instance, the U. By , wind energy could meet 30 percent of all electricity demand in the country. Even though it's not as cool as a solar panel in space. Windfall prepares you for that future because setting up wind farms requires a lot of skills.
Try to design one with this virtual game. You have to keep a lot of factors in mind when you opt for a small, medium, or large windmill. Some old Flash games can still surprise you.
Play Oil God from Persuasive Games turns you into a James Bondian villain, but with the master plan of educating you on how the politics of oil works around the world. You are the oil tycoon who wields massive power. With nine nations submitting to your diktats, you control the strings of power that drive oil economies in these countries. The game wants to teach you the complex relationship between gas prices, geopolitics, and oil profits.
Just consider e-waste. Doesn't your mind boggle when you read that recycling one million laptops could save the same amount of energy as that used by 3, American homes in a year? That's what the EPA said in a report. And that's why recycling has to be a small solution to the bigger problem. The Recycle City game can sensitize children early to the need for reusing waste. Play the game to see how everyday decisions can reduce waste , energy, and even help you save money at home, at work, and around the neighborhood.
Lifeboat to Mars , as the name says, is about the Red Planet.
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