October’s Gifts of Science
A Naturalist Voice
Field notes and photographs by J. Cantrell
One big push in the education field is S.T.E.M. (Science Technology Engineering and Math). Somehow, someway what comes to mind regarding S.T.E.M. to many school administrators, public officials, media folks and others are the activities associated with robots, digital screens etc. I’m waving a flag, signaling the life sciences are everywhere and a starting point for a broad base of studies from the medical field, city planning, to heritage foods. The components of local biology and ecology should be included in S.T.E.M. pursuits. The educator is surrounded by a living laboratory (whether school yard, neighborhood or field experiences) and I’m eager to point instructors to some engaging learning avenues for their students. I’m not offering to be a guest speaker for every class, that is a “band-aid approach” if the educator is not working on the topic. I certainly volunteer a ton of my time for programs every month, but not for entertainment…education is the key. Especially it’s the key if S.T.E.M. quests are well-rounded.
Autumn is a very giving season in the Ozarks. There are gifts of relaxed nature walks, beautiful fall floats, and the coveted archery deer season is underway. The naturalist noticing wildlife movements will note migrant songbirds visiting from Canada, various wild mammals increasing activity, some bats may find a daily stop-over on the brick wall of a home’s south-side, and the monarch butterfly migration wraps up by mid-month. The October colors are the banner topic of seasonal conversations. Autumn foliage of hickories, cherries, white oaks, mulberries, and more capture our attention quickly along the rolling trails and roadways. If you want to give someone a special view of a tree’s seasonal artistry, have them stand next to a massive trunk of a mockernut or sugar maple; then to gaze up from beneath the single canopy. How quickly will that crown resemble a stained glass filled cathedral, the image hosting an inspiring appearance with the sunlight shining down. Beautiful it is, however with a S.T.E.M. view directed with an engineering focus spotlights patterns and the efficiency in nature. Students can journal this in their Discover Nature Schools science notebooks from the Missouri Department of Conservation. While the trees’ green leaves transformation to yellow, red, and orange are the usual focus of family, students and friends’ fall outings there are other colors to notice. Fall mushrooms are gorgeous along a wooded trail; the added late season rains seem to give them an expected growth spurt. The world of fall mushrooms is a fascinating place, from this S.T.E.M. standpoint alone it is the first subject I tackle when I teach nature journaling. Native grasses turn tan, bluish gray, yellow, silvery hues, and maroons in the autumn. Downy gentian flowers and ladies’ tresses orchids are blooming on the native grasslands, and wide variety of asters occupy many habitat niches to serve native pollinators and our need for natural artistic appeal.
All of these may be celebrated with good food.
The outdoor foodies, picnickers and car campers may delight in the last of the summer harvest and glean early fall bounty as it comes on. There are scores of apple-crisp recipes, but have you tried baked cinnamon oatmeal topped with pecans and sliced Granny Smiths in the Dutch oven at camp-side? I highly recommend this black kettle banquet to make a cool October sundown meal memorable.
Everything I just mentioned should get an outdoor enthusiast excited for the season to come. Every component of what I referenced will give a formal teacher, scout leader and homeschool parent an avenue to pursue S.T.E.M. in:
Can a student manipulate a leaf’s color in lab?
Comparing and contrasting fungi around different sites, moisture, elevations.
Observation skills from a “deer stand”
Can you engineer a Dutch oven to cook more efficiently? Will another outdoor stove suffice? Can we make one?
Technology and the local life sciences may be married with Project FeederWatch, Ebird, Journey North, World Wildlife Fund classroom resources and iNaturalist.
Lastly Discover Nature Schools activities and science notebooks are readily available for Missouri families and classrooms. Order them free on our teacher portal on the Missouri Dept. of Conservation website. October offers gifts for everyone whether you are retired and appreciating the life sciences or a teacher beholding for a season of engagement. Enjoy! Jeff
Jeff Cantrell is a conservation/outdoor educator out of the Neosho/Joplin area and may be reached at jeff.cantrell@mdc.mo.gov