Live outdoor education is back! Last weekend, we got to host a table at a STEM day event hosted by the Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington at the Willamette Heritage Center. After more than a year and half, it was such a joy to see smiling faces (100% masked!) both on kids and their adults alike! Mill Creek offered some fun onsite macroinvertebrates exploration, including some very active clams. Many kids were amazed to learn that they could flip over rocks in their local creek or pond and find some critters to check out on their own. We also talked about why it's important to explore *gently* whether we're inside or streamside, and all of the lessons about stream health we can learn from aquatic organisms.1. Two white plastic tubs with water, leaves, and rocks on a table with various tools for identifying aquatic organisms. 2. A view of the exhibit hall from the location of our table. 3. Two enthusiastic young participants examining freshwater clams. 4. A video of an active freshwater clam. Many thanks to everyone who came together and made this day happen! #girlscouts #girlscoutsoforegonandswwashington #outdooreducation #macroinvertebrates #stem #willametteheritagecenter

Live outdoor education is back!  Last weekend, we got to host a table at a STEM day event hosted by the Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington at the Willamette Heritage Center. After more than a year and half, it was such a joy to see smiling faces (100% masked!) both on kids and their adults alike!  Mill Creek offered some fun onsite macroinvertebrates exploration, including some very active clams.  Many kids were amazed to learn that they could flip over rocks in their local creek or pond and find some critters to check out on their own. We also talked about why it's important to explore *gently* whether we're inside or streamside, and all of the lessons about stream health we can learn from aquatic organisms.1. Two white plastic tubs with water, leaves, and rocks on a table with various tools for identifying aquatic organisms. 2.  A view of the exhibit hall from the location of our table. 3.  Two enthusiastic young participants examining freshwater clams. 4. A video of an active freshwater clam. Many thanks to everyone who came together and made this day happen! #girlscouts #girlscoutsoforegonandswwashington #outdooreducation #macroinvertebrates #stem #willametteheritagecenter