March 24, 2010
- Renewable Energy
- Family Fun
- Upcoming DEC Events
- Long Island
- Hudson Valley - Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
- Capital District - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
- Central New York - Rogers Environmental Education Center
- Western New York - Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Renewable Energy
We use energy to run our cars, heat our homes and power our electrical appliances. There are two types of energy: nonrenewable and renewable. Sources of energy are considered nonrenewable if they cannot be made again in a lifetime. Renewable energy sources can be replenished naturally in a short period. These include solar, wind, water, wood and geothermal energy.
Solar: Solar energy is from the sun's rays that reach the Earth. Solar energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat and electricity and is used to heat water, swimming pools and even homes.
Wind: Wind flow can be used to run turbines (modern day windmills) that generate electricity. Areas on top of mountains or out in the ocean are the best location for wind turbines, because the winds are stronger and more constant.
Water: Water wheels are used to produce electricity by using the energy generated by the falling water. Hydropower isn't a new concept. Hundreds of years ago, people used water wheels to provide power to grain mills.
Wood: Many people use wood stoves to heat their homes. Wood is another renewable energy source and an alternative to heating with fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal, whose consumption leads to global warming.
Geothermal: Geothermal energy is formed from the heat inside the Earth. Steam produced from heat from hot springs or geysers can be used to heat buildings.
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Looking for an adventure this summer for your teenager? Check out DEC's Environmental Education Camps.
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Family Fun
Getting Steamed
This experiment will show you how steam has the power to move something. Make sure that you do this experiment with adult supervision. You will need a pinwheel and a whistling tea kettle. Boil some water in the tea kettle. When the kettle starts to whistle, the water is hot enough to produce steam. Wearing an oven mitt on your hand to protect it from the steam, hold the pinwheel in the flow of steam. The steam should make the pinwheel spin.
Any Way the Wind Blows
Meteorologists and other scientists use an instrument called on anemometer to measure wind speed. You can build your own anemometer that will spin in the wind. You need 4 small paper cups, 2 plastic drinking straws, a pencil with a new eraser and a straight pin.
Arrange the plastic straws to make a cross shape. Push the straight pin through the center point of the straws and into the pencil eraser. Staple the top of one paper cup to the end of each straw, making sure that the open ends of the cups all face the same direction. Put a mark on one of the cups. It will help you count how many times the anemometer spins. Ten spins per minute equals wind speed of approximately one mile per hour. Take your anemometer outside, and measure the approximate speed of the wind.
Read Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Long Island
Day of Fishing Fun
Saturday, March 27 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by open fishing
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery
I FISH NY staff will present a hands-on look at fish biology and local species identification in this class intended for children and families. Cost: $5 adults, $3 children (ages 3-12), $3 seniors (age 65 and older). Contact the Region One office for directions: 631-444-0280.
Hudson Valley
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
Walking with Cold Blood
Saturday, March 27 at 2:00 PM
Come join the Stony Kill staff as we walk on the cold-blooded side of life along Stony Kill's trails, searching for and learning about the emerging reptiles and amphibians. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
Tadpole One Day and Frog the Next
Thursday, April 1 at 2:00 PM
Join us at Stony Kill on April Fools' Day to learn about the trick many amphibious species play on us.
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Maple Sugar Open Houses
Saturday and Sunday March 27 and 28, April 3 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM
At our Maple Sugar Open Houses, watch sap drip from the tapped trees, and smell the syrup boiling in the evaporator. You'll learn to twirl a drill and pound a spile, and you'll use your taste buds to sample maple syrup.
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center
Almost Full Moon Hike
Saturday, March 27 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Enjoy the Pine Bush at night with a hike under the almost full moon. We will walk approximately 1.5 miles stopping for night vision and sound observations. Please remember to dress appropriately for the weather. Snowshoes will be available as weather dictates. Call 518-456-0655 to register. Cost: $2.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free.
More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
Central New York
Rogers Environmental Education Center
Bluebird Nest Box Building
Saturday, March 27 at 11:00 AM
Build a nest box to encourage bluebirds to live nearby so we can all enjoy seeing and hearing them. $10.00 for each box you build and take home. Bring a hammer. Please call 607-674-4017 to register.
Egg Coloring
Saturday, April 3 at 11:00 AM
Bring your children ages 4 to 12 to learn about bird eggs encountered in the wild. Your little ones will discover the different shapes, sizes, and colors of wild bird eggs while decorating an egg to take home. Please call 607-674-4017 to register; supplies limited.
Western New York
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959.
FrogWatch USA Volunteer Training
Tuesday, March 23 at 6:30 PM
Become a citizen scientist! Participate in this training program and volunteer to help monitor the frogs and toads here at Reinstein Woods.
After School Escape
Thursday, March 25 at 4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. Registration is not required.
Birds, Birds, Birds!
Saturday, March 27 at 10:00 AM
Did you know that there is a bird that does the moonwalk? How about a bird that can mimic a camera shutter? Come learn about these and many other oddities of the bird world.
Full Sap Moon Walk
Tuesday, March 30 at 8:30 PM
Join us for a walk and learn about the benefits of the maple tree while viewing the full moon. Bring binoculars and flashlights if you have them.
Bunny Basics
Saturday, April 3 at 10:30 AM
Hop along with us as we share Eastern Cottontail rabbit facts, make a craft and search for rabbits on the trail! For children age 9 and under.