One of the kindergarten classes at Meeker Elementary School has a large number of completed chia pets ready to sprout as part of a class and personal experiment. Several facets of plant growth will emerge as learning tools for the kids.RBC I Last week, Meeker 4-H Program Coordinator Carley Smith visited Kay Bivens’ library class at Meeker Elementary School to present a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) activity to pre-school students through fifth graders, focusing on science by having the kids make their own chia pets.
Chia pets are planters that sprout chia seeds as grass “hair” in terra cotta figurines. The elementary school students made chia pet replicas out of pantyhose by stuffing the cut up hose with grass seed, soil and saw dust.
The students then decorated their planters, watered their chia pets and brought them to their classrooms to watch them sprout and record their observations. Jake Blazon, Jace Mobley and Jayde Turner stand by chia pet displays and grass seed experiments that used sand, gravel and compost as soil to see which sprouted first. Science was the subject to study this week at the elementary school’s STEM projects.Details were noted like which chia pet sprouted first, and whether they noticed a difference between the sock colors and timing of the sprouts?
Students made the connection that the darker-colored socks attracted more sunlight and thus sprouted first.
The students not only learned about the science behind gardening but also discussed upcoming Earth Day and Arbor Day. They also learned the importance of recycling and how to make compost. Library class instructor Kay Bivens is seen here giving a talk about Earth Day, Arbor Day and different types of soils and how they sprout seeds differently. She also has a variety of plants on display in front of her.Bivens shared a sample of healthy compost from her backyard and explained the scientific benefits of using compost as topsoil.
MHS senior Ryan Sullivan pitching for the Cowboys against Steamboat. Coming off a series of wins against Monte Vista, Steamboat and Cedaredge, the Cowboys play Grand Valley on Saturday, April 20. RHS junior Marcos Quintana pitching for the Panthers. The Panthers play the Aspen Skiers today at home following wins against Dove Creek on April 13.
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This year’s batch of Mormon crickets are beginning to hatch. Above is a picture of an immature cricket compared to a dime. JANE TURNBURKE PHOTO Read more online at ht1885.com.
On April 4, the Meeker Lions Club installed new shelving units for the New Eden Pregnancy Care Center. New Eden asked the Lion’s Club to help them come up with more storage for items within the building, and the Lion’s Club raised money to purchase shelves. OPAL MUNGER PHOTO
Livestock Judging teams from both sides of the county competed at The Rumble In The Rockies Livestock Judging Contest in La Plata County this past weekend. Read the full story this week online ht1885.com.
