From National Geographic:
It’s the ultimate deep freeze: Wood frogs in Alaska have set a record for cold endurance, staying as frozen as your microwave dinner for nearly seven months, a new study says.
Scientists at the University of Alaska Fairbanks discovered that the amphibians survived all those months being chilled to an average temperature of 6°F (-14.6°C), including temperatures as low as 0°F (-18°C).
Find out more HERE!
Dani says – Want to find out what the weather will be like this winter and learn about El Nino?
Check out this link from WeatherBug.
Trees top the list of wonderful parts of God’s creation and Oct. 14, nearly 30 Southern Hancock students explored the wide variety of trees at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center. Randy Caster, owner of Hillcrest Tree Farm explained that trees are really the first solar energy machine, taking in sun, water and carbon dioxide and giving off oxygen and sugar for the tree’s food.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS: Carbon Dioxide + Water + Light —-> Sugar + Oxygen
Students divided into groups, and went on a tree exploration, compiling reports on how trees help humans and animals.
Thanks to Mr. Caster, each student took home their own Norway Spruce tree seedling for fall planting!
Dani’s Dreams reporter Anna Caster, Zion Lutheran student, gives you the fun facts about our towering tree friends.
By Anna Caster
Trees are very beautiful! There are many kinds of trees, such as Norway Spruce, White Pine, Juniper, Tulip Poplar, Maple and Cherry. Trees are useful for many different things in many different ways, such as shade, protection and shelter for animals, paper and wood products, and many other things.
Trees breathe in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. Humans are the exact opposite, we breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Trees are helpful in making gum, picnic tables, cutting boards, doors, and trees help keep the soil on the ground from having erosion. Trees are wonderful plants that God made for the enjoyment of humans and animals.
Trees can do so many different things in so many different ways. I love trees and you should too! Get a tree today! The best place to get any kind of tree is Hillcrest Tree Farm.
See you when you get there!
Hancock County kids are invited to Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center at Zion Lutheran School for fall food, fun, activities and crafts.
Head to Dani’s Dreams today, Sept. 23, 3:30-5 p.m. for an expedition dig and find an authentic fossil to take home!
Don’t forget to bring your quiz answers to share and place in the dinosaur story book.
Scientists have discovered many fossils in Dinosaur National Monument in Utah and Colorado. Two complete skulls of a new sauropod, the Abydosaurus, were recently discovered there. Other large plant eaters, such as Diplodocus, have been dug up there, as well as meat eaters that include Allosaurus.
Paleontologists are scientists who study ancient plants, animals, such as dinosaurs, and the climate of the prehistoric past, search the Earth for fossils and other evidence of ancient life.
Don’t forget to come to Dani’s Dreams Sept. 23, 3:30-5 p.m. and join us on a special dig to find a fossil you will be able to take home!
In the early 1800s, when scientists first discovered Iguanodon bones, they thought the fossils were the remains of a super-sized lizard. But lizards, snakes and turtles are not that closely related to dinosaurs. Dinosaurs are a very distinct group of animals, even though they had scales and backbones like other reptiles.
Find out more facts about dinosaurs and go on a dig for fossils Sept. 23, 3:30-5 p.m. at Dani’s Dreams!
Dinosaur Quiz, Day 1:
Brachiosaurus was a gigantic dinosaur. Scientists have estimated its weight at more than 28 tons (25 metric tons). Its neck and head stood up more than 40 feet (12 meters) in the air. The most complete skeletons found belong to animals not yet fully grown. So Brachiosaurus probably grew even longer and taller than we know. Source National Geographic Kids
Don’t forget to bring your answers to Dig It Day, Sept 23, 3:30-5 p.m. at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center!
Dani's Dreams Outdoor Education Programs 