Rainbow Resource Center is located in the heart of the Midwest, and staff members experience the beautiful season of fall with cool temperatures and colorful trees. It is a favorite time for families to enjoy harvest parties, hay rack rides, bonfires, orchards, smores, and caramel apples. Nature hikes include crunching around in the newly fallen leaves and collecting many different vibrant colors. These outings present a great opportunity to explore or discuss science with your students. Ask some questions like:

  • Do you know why the leaves change colors and fall to the ground?
  • Do you know which tree this leaf belongs to and what it is called?
  • Do you see evidence of seed dispersal on the ground?

We liked to take zip-lock baggies and put the leaf, bark, and seed of different trees in each one and later make a collage on a board. A report about the hike, trees, leaves, seeds, or fall would also make for a deeper learning opportunity!

Did you know that leaves don’t change color because of a cold snap (that’s what I was told and believed for a long time!) They start changing colors because the area that they are in is receiving less sunlight. We all know that our bodies are affected by a lack of vitamin D during the winter months, but so is nature! The leaves are green because of the chlorophyll they use to absorb energy from the sunlight during photosynthesis. The leaves convert the energy into sugars to feed the tree. When trees stop getting the sunlight they need to survive, they start to break down. The colors that were always in the leaves start to come out. Hence the phrase, “I see your true colors shining through.” The leaves will fall after the tree builds a protective seal between the leaves and their branches. If this didn’t happen, the trees would be very vulnerable in the winter months with the weight of snow. Our Creator designed and covered every intricate detail, all of which will make a wonderful unit study! Enjoy the fall ya’ll and get some fun pictures while you are at it! ~ Amber

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” — Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

Make Fall Fun: