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Happening at the Crossroads
March 13, 2008
by Coggin Heeringa During
their winter trip to Crossroads at Big Creek, students from Sawyer
School participated in a number of investigations pertaining to snow.
In one activity, children melted snow and poured the melt water through
a funnel lined with filter paper. Yes...they did find a
significant amount of dirt. But before the demonstration
started, one of the children picked up the funnel and proclaimed, "I
know what this is. It's a hearing aid."
Actually, the funnel
did resemble the "ear trumpets" which once were used by people with
hearing impairments. Holding a funnel to ones ear actually does
amplified the sound vibrations reaching the ear drum.
In a
sense, a rabbit's ear is a funnel and it works like an ear trumpet.
When a rabbit turns an ear toward the source of a sound, it
captures the vibrations and funnels the sounds into the ear. And a
rabbit can twist its ears in any direction.
Each of those
long ears can move independently, so if a rabbit senses sounds
coming from different directions at the same time, it can swivel one
ear one way and the other ear the other way. It looks a little
strange, but the rabbit can detect the sound of predators approaching
from any direction.
Cottontail rabbits are of some interest this
time of year and they indeed are interesting creatures. "Meet the
Rabbit" is one of many Family Programs offered by Crossroads
during Spring Break.
Family programs start with the
annual "EGG-stravaganza" on Saturday at 2:00. Participants will
toss, dissect, and investigate the incredible life package
known as eggs.
On Monday, families can "Meet the Rabbit"
or learn about "Colors of Space". Tuesday learners of all ages
can "Meet the Wolf" and Wednesday, they can "Meet the Otter" or
take a nature hike. Thursday, the topic will be "Comets" These
programs start with a short film followed by hands-on activities
which are most appropriate for K-5 grade students, but all ages---with
or without families are welcome.
The
Collins Learning Center at Crossroads is located at on County Highway T
across from Whitetails Unlimited. To reach the Leif Everson Observatory
and Stonecipher Astronomy Center, use the Utah Street Entrance. If
skies are clear, call 746-5896 for a recorded message announcing
whether the observatory will be open.
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