Delco Park

Today was the most relaxing day of STEMmersion so far. Almost as soon as we got to school, we began our walk to Delco Park. It was only 45 minutes, but it felt like years in 90 degree heat. At Delco, a local author and a local artist came to share their work with us. They helped us create three-animal-mashup-creatures and do a writing piece on them. The creature I came up with was a mix between a fox, monkey, and dog to represent my smart, adventurous, and joyful qualities.

My friends and I spent the day relaxing by the pond and taking naps on park benches. We did get up to play sand volleyball, and eventually sand soccer, but the heat became overbearing. We found a shady tree and took another nap then. This is when I did my "Small World" writing piece for the day. Our instructions were to section off a piece of the ground and make it our small world. First, we looked at our world from standing. Then, we recorded observations of what we saw kneeling. Finally, we got on our bellies to closely examine the small world in front of us. Then, we wrote a short story on what we saw.

Today was eye-opening for me because I realized I don't need a crazy adventure to enjoy the outdoors. Especially doing the small world activity, I realized there's a lot more to do in just a local park than I think. Sitting under shady trees and watching the wind-made waves on the lake was just as entertaining as hiking or kayaking. Today made me more motivated to find enjoyment anywhere outside, even in my own backyard.

Small World

When I stand high, I see grass, flowers, and leaves.

When I kneel, I see a little world where the grass is alive and moved by the wind. I see the intricate patterns of color on the petals of flowers, each one unique. I see leaves that shelter the smallest of bugs, their many legs small but mighty.

When I lie with my eyes mere inches from the ground I see trees and mountains. I see wild animals, predators and pray, I see our entire world on one square foot of grass.

When I return to my world, standing tall above the small world beneath me, I realize how much I miss every single day and how much I have to discover.