The IMN program features various nature topics for local youth to discover Indiana's outdoor world through hands-on activities, outdoor investigations, volunteering and learning from local experts across different career paths, interests and organizations.
Do you like insects? Do you like to catch them to study their color, shape, and size? If you said yes to those questions, you should come to Merry Lea to look for some local critters! We will be reading a story about the kinds of insects we can find then we will be using sweep nets to explore the area for interesting insects!
August’s Powered by Plants program will allow students to investigate plants on a deeper level. Students will learn parts of flowers and trees, do a simple flower dissection, and even make some art with the plants and trees that we explore. We will also discuss how animals may interact with the plants like beneficial pollinators and other animals.
Let’s make pickles! Salty, crunchy pickles! Children will help cut up cucumbers and make a quick pickle. Then we will read a book and taste some seasonal produce while identifying which part of the plant we eat. Before the end we will taste the pickles!
Investigate insects and learn about their many features! Explore the wonders of these tiny creatures by netting for them in a prairie to identify them and learn about their anatomy. Afterwards, create your own insect from recycled and natural materials. Join us to totally bug out!
Investigate insects and learn about their many features! Explore the wonders of these tiny creatures by netting for them in a prairie to identify them and learn about their anatomy. Afterwards, create your own insect from recycled and natural materials. Join us to totally bug out!
Join us to discover the world of bats! These little creatures are a vital part of Indiana’s ecosystems and are greatly misunderstood. We will discuss the most common types of bats found here at Merry Lea and their benefits. We will also make a bat craft and see if we can hear or see any bats at dusk.
Check out the many varieties of heirloom tomatoes growing at the Teaching Farm this year. Taste fresh tomatoes and use a scorecard to pick your favorites. Afterwards, we’ll have a salsa making class where you will take home a jar of your own. We will also answer any tomato growing questions you may have!
Let’s rock! Join us for Tales & Trails as we read What Can you Do with a Rock by Pat Zietlow. Explore the many ways we can examine and play with rocks in Merry Lea’s gravel pit or at home. Don’t forget to wear weather appropriate clothing for a hike and outdoor play, including sturdy shoes for walking on rocky ground.
Come explore various ecosystems to learn how everything in the natural world is eventually broken down into small basic parts. Get up close with some wriggly recyclers, and discover why decomposition is such an important process in nature!
