Local youth learn about Forces of Nature ...

Youth in kindergarten through second grade learned about the different forces of nature and how they affect animals in a recent session hosted by Allamakee County ISU Extension and Outreach at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing. They started with making earthquakes out of graham crackers and frosting. After learning about beavers and how they make unique homes, youth were challenged with making their own dams. Using sticks and play dough, partners worked together to create a flood-proof dam (center photo). Next, everyone was able to make their own tornado in a jar and anemometer (pictured above) while learning about tornadoes and which animals had the safest homes to protect themselves.

Youth had special visitors during lunch when Ross Geerdes, Allamakee County Conservation Naturalist, brought in a turtle, frog and snake. He shared interesting facts about each while the youth touched and held the animals. Jarrod Olson, Allamakee County Conservation Assistant Director, joined Geerdes and the youth to try and catch some Mississippi River fish (pictured in lower photo). Unfortunately the fish weren’t hungry, but everyone had fun finding the garter snakes hiding in the rocks and watching the water snake swim by. For more information about 4-H and upcoming activities contact Becky Rea, 4-H K-12 Program Coordinator at the Allamakee County Extension and Outreach Office at 563-568-6345 or http://www.extension.iastate.edu/allamakee/. Submitted photos.