Hawaii Volcanologist Lecture at Hilo Library

On Friday, our homeschool group took the kids to enjoy a neat lecture by our local volcanologists. We started out with some reading to the kids and looking at books while they did their setup.


The lecture included a slideshow as well as some very neat videos. You can see some of the awesome footage of our volcanoes erupting at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website.


The best part was when the speakers brought some kids up to try on the various articles of protective clothing used when studying the volcanoes and collecting lava samples. The kids also got a good first-hand look at all of the equipment used by the volcanologists.

In all, it was a really neat experience for the kids, especially seeing the clothing and getting to dress up. For more information about volcanoes and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, visit the USGS website for more. There is also information on current earthquakes caused by the volcanic activity.

More volcano info:
Hawaii Center for Volcanology
An Awesome Interactive Volcano Explorer
Volcano Links and Lesson Ideas

Animal Footprints Memory Game

I made this awesome wooden memory game for my daughter in about two hours. You can, too! You'll need thirty 1.5 inch wooden disks or squares and a black non-bleeding pen. I used a Sharpie pen - not a sharpie marker, but the pen in fine point. It looks like this. You will also need a pencil and a large eraser.

The wooden disks I purchased for a great price from My Heartfelt Designs on Etsy. You can grab 30 of them for $4.45 plus shipping.

First, choose the animal footprints that you would like to use. I used the following: human, bear, opossum, raccoon, cat, dog, deer, elk, pig, porcupine, beaver, bird, duck, rabbit and horse. For younger kids, be sure to avoid footprints that look too much alike or there may be some confusion during the game. I found pictures of most of the animal tracks at Bear-Tracker.

Carefully draw the outline for each footprint using a pencil. Work lightly or you will have a hard time erasing your mistakes. Place each footprint slightly above center so you will have room to write the name below. Be sure to add the name in pencil as well.

Once you have your matching footprints all drawn, use your pen to carefully trace over the pencil. Once your drawings are completed, carefully erase your pencil lines. Then use your pen to shade in the footprint shapes.

This game is great for kids of all ages. My three year old loves it and learned the names of all of the animal tracks after playing it only twice. It's a bit of work, but it's worth it and you can do it. Have fun!