We were so happy to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park back in 2019. Marvin & Huck got to go with us in 2020 and boy were they excited. Huck was excited for his family reunion but Marvin was a little nervous. You see, bears and moose don't always get a long very well. 

Things that Marvin learned in the park:

• The black bears can be seen in all elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding areas. There are approximately 1500 bears in the park so that means you could see 2 bears for every square mile. It wasn't too hard to see a bear while we were there; especially in the early morning or late at night. 
• Females with newly born cubs usually come out of their winter dens in late March or early April? The cubs will remain with their mother for about 18 months or until she mates again.
• What should you do if you see a bear? While attacks on humans are rare, remember that bears are wild animals. They are very unpredictable.  If you happen to see a bear while hiking or near your cabin, do not approach the bear and don’t allow the bear to approach you. 
• We are also a threat to their safety and well-being. Don't leave any food around for them to eat. Bears lose their fear of people when going after human food and garbage. This puts them in danger of getting hit by cars. making them more likely to get hit by cars and fall victim to poachers. Remember that bears are good-looking but you don't need a selfie with one. Stay at least 50 yards away at all times and never approach the bear.

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The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial on the National Mall is very unique. First, it represents his 4 terms of presidency. Second, it shows him in a wheelchair but during his presidency he tried very hard to not be photographed that way. Third, his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, is also honored. We enjoyed seeing the story that unveiled in this memorial. Marvin and Huck also liked meeting FDR's dog, Fala.
Marvin and Huck learned a lot about Eleanor Roosevelt. She was remembered as an American politician, diplomat, and activist who later served as a United Nations spokesperson. After he died, she continued working to do good around the world. ​Marvin and Huck want to know about important women in your community. Who are they? What are they doing to make a difference? ​Find ways to honor and celebrate their work. Share your findings on Social Media @dacia92 #MarvinandHuck and #ExpeditionsInEducation to receive your digital badge. You can also email your answers to engagingstem@gmail.com SUBJECT: Marvin & Huck

The word ‘suffrage’ means having the right to vote in political elections. The Suffragettes campaigned for women to have this right. There were many people, including women, who did not believe that women should vote. They fought against it.
Did you know that some Suffragettes handcuffed themselves to railings and broke shop windows in order to get the police to arrest them? If they were arrested, the women would go on hunger strikes to make their voices heard. The police attempted to force feed them and this led to allegations of police brutality and created sympathy for the Suffragettes.

Today Marvin and Huck visited the grave sites of many of these brave women at the First State National Historical Park in Delaware. They were so proud of them for standing up for what they believed in. It got Marvin and Huck excited about speaking out about injustices too. What injustices do you see in the world? Who is speaking out about them? What can you do to lift your voice? ​Share your findings on Social Media @dacia92 #MarvinandHuck and #ExpeditionsInEducation to receive your digital badge. You can also email your answers to engagingstem@gmail.com SUBJECT: Marvin & Huck

What a great day to save a life! That is probably what the surfmen and expert boatmen thought as they did just that at the Old Harbor Life Saving Station on Cape Cod National Seashore. Day in and day out, these lifesavers would patrol the beaches, practice drills, exercise, live and eat together, and risk their lives to save ships in distress. They didn't have the modern day conveniences so they made do with the tools of the day. They had to pull the boat to the ocean, use simple machines to repair and move equipment, and use a small cannon to shoot a 18 pound projectile that carried their ropes out to the ships. 

Marvin and Huck want to know about the lifesaving organizations in your area. Are they volunteer or paid positions? How long do they work each day? What are their particular duties? ​Find ways to honor and celebrate their work. Share your findings on Social Media @dacia92 #MarvinandHuck and #ExpeditionsInEducation to receive your digital badge. You can also email your answers to engagingstem@gmail.com SUBJECT: Marvin & Huck

Marvin and Huck were mesmerized by the beauty of Acadia. They got a double dose of appreciation for nature and an understanding of environmental issues on this trip. They want to continue to be responsible world citizens. They learned a lot about phenology. They were encouraged by Ranger Kate and Ranger Lisa to closely observe, monitor, and record life cycle changes that they see as they travel the country. 

Project BudBurst  - Curriculum
Monarch Watch - Curriculum
The Great Backyard Bird Count - For Kids
Journey North
Citizen Science Central
SciStarter

​Marvin and Hank are onboard to become the next great PHENOLOGISTS. You can join them by keeping your eye out for life cycles of birds, mammals, insects, flowers, trees, etc. Note when they sleep, eat, bloom, bud, and die. You can upload your photos to iNaturalists! Share your findings on Social Media @dacia92 #MarvinandHuck and #ExpeditionsInEducation to receive your digital badge. You can also email your answers to engagingstem@gmail.com SUBJECT: Marvin & Huck

Today Marvin and Huck visited the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Dr. King dreamed of a world with equality for all. His memorial stands between the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials on the National Mall. Did you know that more than 900 applicants from 52 countries tried to win the design honor. But only one person emerged the winner, Lei Yixin, a famous Chinese Sculptor. The placement of the monument was carefully crafted to sit among the cherry blossoms and the address of 1964 Independence Avenue references the 1964 Civil Rights act. 

Marvin and Hank were inspired to know that the legs of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were not completed in the statue. This was to symbolize that his work was to be continued. What can you do to continue his work in your town, city, or state?  Share your findings on Social Media @dacia92 #MarvinandHuck and #ExpeditionsInEducation to receive your digital badge. You can also email your answers to engagingstem@gmail.com SUBJECT: Marvin & Huck

John Slyder moved to Gettysburg in 1838 and worked as a potter. He decided to purchase a 75 acre tract of land in 1849 and began building a farm. He built his home, a blacksmith shop, carpentry shop and a double log barn. He dug a well and planted a pear and peach orchard. John used the blacksmith shop to manufacture tools for other local farms. At the time of the battle John lived on the farm with his wife Catherine and three of his five children, John, Hannah, and Jacob. The family was encouraged to leave on July 2nd because of the impending battle and the family heeded their warning. Everything they owned and had worked for was there on the farm. They had no idea if they would return. They did return to find their farm in near ruins. They were offered no reparations for the damage so they moved to Ohio.

Marvin and Hank enjoyed seeing the ways that the Slyders farmed the land. Everything they needed, they farmed, grew, and manufactured for themselves. It was a sustainable way of life. Marvin and Huck want you to explore farms and gardens around your community. Where does your food come from? Can you trace it back to a farm?  Share your findings on Social Media @dacia92 #MarvinandHuck and #ExpeditionsInEducation to receive your digital badge. You can also email your answers to engagingstem@gmail.com SUBJECT: Marvin & Huck

Mammoth Cave National Park has been designated both a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Did you know that the temperature inside Mammoth Cave is about 54°F, year-round? The cave has more than 390 miles of cave passage mapped, making Mammoth Cave by far the longest known cave in the world. But guess what? They are still mapping!  The four rock formations found in Mammoth Cave are the St. Louis Limestone, the Ste. Genevieve Formation, the Girkin Formation, and the Big Clifty Formation. 

Marvin and Huck want you to explore any unique rocks and rock formations that you can find around your home. Share your findings on Social Media @dacia92 #MarvinandHuck and #ExpeditionsInEducation to receive your digital badge. You can also email your answers to engagingstem@gmail.com SUBJECT: Marvin & Huck

The Indiana Dunes National Park is our 61st National Park. One of the many unique things about Indiana Dunes is that it boasts so much diversity. The park has more native species of orchids than the state of Hawaii and more species of birds than Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It includes three counties and 15 cities and towns. Marvin and Huck had a great time visiting with Kim and Kip!

Marvin and Huck want you to share any bodies of water that are located near you. Are they salty or fresh water? Can you swim there? What types of fish or other wildlife can you find there? Share your answers on Social Media @dacia92 #MarvinandHuck #ExpeditionsInEducation to receive your digital badge. You can also email your answers to engagingstem@gmail.com SUBJECT: Marvin & Huck

The Shenandoah Salamander is a small terrestrial amphibian. That means they don't have lungs and rely solely on their skin to breathe. They can only be found on three mountaintops in the Shenandoah National Park. They are mostly nocturnal (night) animals and spend their days sleeping in and under rocks and leaves. When there is no rain, the salamanders are not very mobile. They need the moisture to breathe well. If you are lucky enough to see one- LEAVE THEM ALONE. They are endangered and since they are an endemic species (only found in that place), we need to stay out of their way so they continue to thrive.

Marvin and Huck want you to share any unique species of animals or plants that live near you. Share your answers on Social Media @dacia92 #MarvinandHuck #ExpeditionsInEducation to receive your digital badge. You can also email your answers to engagingstem@gmail.com SUBJECT: Marvin & Huck