Educational activities
DEAR NATURE LOVERS! POLESKI NATIONAL PARK INVITES YOU TO TAKE PART IN UNIQE ACTIVITIES, BOTH IN CLASS AND OUTDOORS.
WHAT AWAITS YOU HERE? PRACTICAL TASKS, STORIES ABOUT NATURE AND ENCOUNTERS WITH ANIMALS LIVING IN FORESTS, ON MEADOWS AND IN WATER.
THE PARK WORKERS WILL TELL YOU WHAT THE ANIMALS DO IN WINTER, SHOW YOU HOW TO PLANT TREES AND TEACH YOU HOW TO READ MAPS. YOU HAVE AS MANY AS 20 DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES TO CHOOSE FROM!
ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED AT THE PARK’S EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
Age group: Kindergarten and Primary School
1. FROM GREAT-GRANDMA’S TREASURE CHEST – 2h
You will learn everything about fashion in the ‘olden-days’ which we now call folk costumes. Do you know what postoły are? And what’s the difference between pasiaki and perebory? You’ll find out during this two hour class! And on top of that, you will be able to create your own decorative pattern and you will learn how to print on fabric!
2. FROM A THREAD TO A FABRIC – 2h
After this class you will know how fabrics are made, how people used to weave and what they actually wove… But not only this – you will also be able to make your own weaving plant and create your own fabric!
3. DO LADYBIRDS FLY UP TO THE SKY? WE GET TO KNOW INSECTS – 2h
Let’s get to know the diverse world of insects! Do ladybirds fly up to the skies to bring supplies? How long do insects live? What makes them different from other creatures? We have the answers for you. We will also teach you how to catch and mark insects. At the end, you will get to catch insects with special nets and mark these animals using instruments such as a magnifying glass or a stereo microscope.
This class is available from April till September.
4. BEFORE YOU KICK OR THROW IT… WE GET TO KNOW ROCKS – 1,5h
Where do stones come from? What is sand? How to recognise rocks? If you’ve ever wondered about it, this is for you! After this class you will be able to identify different rocks yourselves!
5. WHOSE TRACK IS IT? WE IDENTIFY TRACES LEFT BY ANIMALS – 2h
Here’s a task for the forest detective! What kind of traces do animals leave? Does a trace have to be a track? What else can be a trace? With us you will learn to identify animals’ tracks. Also, you will get to make a plaster mould of a footprint of your choice and after that you’ll lead your friends on the animals’ trail!
6. WHAT DO ANIMALS DO IN WINTER? – 2h
What do animals really do in winter and how do they prepare for this season? How can we help animals in winter? Do we need to do that? We will tell you all about this. After that you will prepare a winter den for a gopher, gather supplies in the pantry and prepare food for birds.
This class is available from October till March.
7. THE BIRDS’RECESS – 2h
Here you will learn what kinds of birds live in Polesie, where you can see them and what sort of traces they leave behind. You will also see which eggs belong to which birds and which nest is whose. Then you will get to make a toy-bird and build a nest box for it!
8. LITTLE CREATURES OF THE MEADOWS – 2h
Who knows what can be found on meadows and lawns? Does this animal walk, fly or crawl? And where are its front and its back? In this class you will learn to observe and recognise the little inhabitants of the meadows. You will also catch one of these little animals and mark it with a help of a magnifying glass!
This class is available from April till September.
9. THE IMAGINATION WORKSHOP – IMPRESSIONS, SUPER ANIMALS AND UNUSUAL PLANTS – 2h
Collagraphy class – this is something for all young artists! You will learn how to use old cloths, a little bit of glue and a tiny bit of paint to create a masterpiece. Then you’ll produce a work of art according to your own imagination!
10. MOOSE THE SUPERHERO – 1,5h
Lots of interesting facts about moose! Does a moose forage for ants with its antlers? Does it live on the marshes? What does its walk look like? Are its legs covered with mud? You will follow moose’s footsteps, find its antlers and maybe even step into mud…
11. A CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH A TURTLE – 1,5h
What is a pond turtle? Where does it live? Can you find it on a walk? What is the active protection of the European pond turtle about? In this class you will not only learn a lot about turtles, but you’ll get a chance to see them up close in one of the Poleski National Park facilities. You will also understand why they are there… Then you’ll help the turtle carer measure and weigh a turtle to answer a very important question: Has this little turtle gained some weight yet?
Age group: Primary School – Grades 4 to 6
12. WE READ A MAP – 1h
For young travellers and explorers, but not only! In this class you will learn to read a map correctly. You will also find out when and how to use it. The map will then help you find a certain spot in the field and you will lead your friends to it!
13. “LIFE IN A DROP OF WATER” – A MICROSCOPY CLASS – 1,5h
What exactly is microscopy and what is it used for? How is a microscope built? Is there a world that can’t be seen with the naked eye? All this you can find out in here. Additionally, you will prepare a microscopic specimen, and you will get to know some small organisms living in water. The most interesting specimen will be displayed on the big screen!
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Age group: Kindergarten and Primary School
1. BEAVER’S HOME – 2h
You’ll learn fascinating things about beavers! For example: Why are beavers called builders? Where can you find a beaver? Are beavers always ‘eager beavers’? Can a beaver cry you a river? Is beaver’s tail tailored for water or land life? You will also see what beaver homes look like and what they are built from as well as what beavers keep in their pantry. You’ll understand and appreciate beavers’ work for the environment. You will also be able to build a lodge similar to the real one!
2. WHAT YOU SOW, WILL GROW – 1,5h
You will see, touch and identify seeds, seedlings and trees! You’ll find out what plant nursery looks like and who works there. You’ll see different methods that foresters use to measure the area occupied by trees. You will also learn how to properly prepare the ground for sowing. As a result, you’ll be able to measure the area, prepare the soil and plant a tree yourself!
This class is available in April, September and October.
3. STALKING NATURE – IT WALKS, SWIMS AND FLIES I’VE HEARD… WHAT IS IT? IT’S A BIRD! – 2h
Here’s a riddle: Do birds walk, swim or fly? The answer waits for you in this class. Here you will learn different methods of bird observation and then you will build a special hut to observe animals. You will also learn how to identify the birds by their sounds! From your hiding place you will recognise and properly mark your chosen bird!
This class is available from April till September.
4. FOLLOWING THE OLD PONDS TRAIL – 2h
You will see the old ponds and the oldest forest stands in Poleski National Park. You will also find out what legends the old oak, pine and spruce trees know… You will get to knowloach, roach and crucian carp. And the trees surrounding the old ponds will tell you their stories through the rustle of their leaves…
5. IN THE LAND OF MOOSE – 2h
Welcome to the land of moose! Here you can learn what woodpeckers eat for breakfast, how many exits badger burrows have, why moose need long legs and where boars sleep in the forest.
Age group: Primary School – Grades 4 to 6
6. DON’T GET LOST IN THE FOREST – USING GPS – 1,5h
What is a GPS? How does it work? What can it be used for? During this class you’ll learn many valuable things. Using the GPS navigation you’ll find a certain spot in the area and you’ll lead your friends to it. After this class you’ll never lose your way in the forest again!
7. WE MEASURE TREES – 1h
What types of trees can you find in the forest? How do they differ? How tall do they grow? How thick are their trunks? How can we know how old they are? You will see different methods used by the foresters to determine the size, height and age of trees. After that you will get to measure a tree yourselves using both professional tools and very simple ones, like a ruler, a set square or a stick.