Discovering Backyard Wilderness

How connected are your kids?  I do not mean to the WiFi but to the outdoors.  We are a society that has a schedule for screen time but do you schedule outdoors time too?  Do you?  No judgement from me remember that I am the mom who decided to make this year's resolution to be outdoors more.

Thanks to the Houston Museum of Natural Science for inviting our family to a screening.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

My daughter recently was assigned a science fair project.  Remember those?  You were given a topic, you have to do research, and then you have to present all your findings.  Every the projects were different.  My daughter is in the first grade and this year they were assigned different animals.  She was so excited to be able to make her selection.  My daughter loves animals.  She wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.  She came home with her assigned animal and I was  ready to hit the library.  You know, to do our research from inside a book.  Just then we received the special invitation to watch the new 3D documentary - Backyard Wilderness: The Wild Around You at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.  

   

Synopsis-In Backyard Wilderness: The Wild Around You, follow a young girl who discovers the intricate secrets that nature has hidden close to her front door.  Absorbed by electronic devices, young Katie and her family are blind to the natural splendor all around them—until Katie uncovers a new world.  This stunning film reveals animal inhabitants in rare and breathtaking detail, inside dens and nests, and moving along forest floors and pond bottoms.

When I was younger, I was not encouraged to get outdoors.  Research was done in the library, inside the books.  When my son was in school, he was encouraged to do his research in the web.  The internet is a plethora of information.  But I have always encouraged my kids to be hands on, explore, and be creative.  I liked that this 3D movie invites you to step outside because you never know what you will discover.  There is a whole other world, if you stop and pay attention.  Disconnecting from our electronics and connecting with the environment. 

Our family recommends this movie.  We think it is perfect for families and it is for all ages. 

For tickets and more information on Backyard Wilderness, visit www.hmns.org or call (713) 639-4629. 

Flick Friday-Volcanoes: Fires of Creation

You know that I love out of the box ways to keep education in front of my kids at all times including our weekend adventures.  I love to play with my children's curiosity and have their minds always working. 

My daughter likes to watch the news with mami and papi.  This sometimes sparks many conversations.  One of the conversations was sparked after the volcano erupted in Hawaii.  I don't always have all the right answers to all her questions.  But I do make sure to find her answers.

On May 3, 2018, Hawaii's  Kilauea volcano erupted and so did the questions.

Thanks to the Houston Museum of Natural Science for inviting us to experience Volcanoes: Fires of Creation on the Giant Screen.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

We may never know how many total volcanoes exist in this world.  The islands of Hawaii have five volcanoes.  A place so rich in beauty surrounded by two active volcanoes.  But what is a volcano?

According to Merriam-Webster, volcanoes are an opening in the earth's crust from which hot or melted rock and steam erupt.

Have you ever wondered about the lava, the eruptions, and all that ash?  National Geographic photographer, Carsten Peter, takes the film viewers to another level.  Getting up and personal with so many breathtaking views.  He goes deeper than anyone should into the depths of volcanoes.  I can tell you that we were at the edge of our seats.  The  IMAX®/Giant Screen brings the volcanoes to life right before your eyes.  Answering questions of impact to humans, the ecosystems, and wildlife.  Volcanoes are part of our past and continue to affect our future today all around the world.  Our family enjoyed learning more about volcanoes and watching this film.  You do need to wear glasses to watch this film, this is why I recommend for older school aged children and adults. 

For more information, go to http://www.hmns.org/giant-screen-theatre/feature-giant-screen-films/volcanoes-the-fires-of-creation/