Voices

Burke's Law: Make winter a season of new discoveries

Last week I wrote about snowflakes and fun things you can do with your family to enjoy the snow. In researching that piece, I came across too many family-friendly winter activities to include in a single column, so here's part two, a list of even more fun wintertime activities that will stir your curiosity and connect you with the outdoor world.

If you happen to be someone who dislikes the cold and the darkness, keep an open mind.

"If you go outside in the winter and you enjoy and find fun things to do outdoors, the people that do that like it up here," said Kathryn Kurtz, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum coordinator for the Anchorage School District. Kurtz is the science wizard behind many of the ideas in this column, and provided a go-to list of activities.

Kurtz loves to see families engaged with what's happening around them in the natural world. And for good reason. Stimulating and following up on the natural curiosity of children helps them become good observers and good learners, skills that will serve them well both in school and life.

"You don't need to know the answers with kids. You go out and find something. The questions pop up. You go back in and find the answers," she said, explaining that it's really about "empowering people to understand the world around them."

"If you do animal tracks, or snow science, or watch birds, it's never the same. It's different every day," she said.

Another tip from Kurtz: If you and your child really get into an activity, or stumble onto something that would be a good research project, consider entering the Alaska Science and Engineering Fair, which kicks off in early 2016. Many schools will encourage their students to get involved, but you can also enter independently. Be sure to design an experiment or research project, collect data, and then if you can, repeat it a few times.

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So, go on. Get outside. Release your inner scientist. Most importantly, have fun. Oh -- and if we've missed something superfun, supereasy or supercool, please share it with us in the comments section online or send me an email. Thanks, and happy exploring.

Bird feeders

Bird feeders make it easy to observe birds throughout the winter from the warmth and comfort of your home -- provided the feeder is set up for you to look at through a window.

Cornell feederwatch (feederwatch.org). Join for $18 and they send you a feeder-watch kit; you get to help their team count birds and collect data.

Watching birds in Alaska (www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=livingwithbirds.winterfeeding).

The night sky

We've already seen some magnificent aurora displays this season. Let's hope for more. Even without the northern lights, there are plenty of stars to gaze at.

Interactive sky chart for Anchorage (www.wunderground.com/sky/index.asp). Type in your zip code to get a customized chart for your area. Scroll down to select which features you want to see or not see, like isolating the constellations so they are easier to find.

Astronomy for kids (www.astronomy.com/observing/astro-for-kids).

Family education (fun.familyeducation.com/outdoor-games/astronomy/29495.html) offers activities for every age.

University of Alaska Fairbanks aurora forecast (www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast) provides a look at what the aurora might be doing in the days ahead.

Animal tracks

What's traveling through your neighborhood? Tracks will give you a clue. Look close. How many toes do you see? Are there claws? How far apart are the steps? Answering these and other detective questions will help you identify animal tracks. Learn more here, here and here.

Ice fishing

Ice fishing can be fun and rewarding, especially for kids. Be safe. Dress to stay warm and dry. Know the ice depth and strength before you go. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game hosts ice fishing jamborees, usually in February. These are great events with predrilled holes, poles and bait, prizes and usually snacks. It's a supereasy, superfun outing with the kids.

Fish and Game also offers a comprehensive how-to ice-fishing guide with information on staying safe, necessary gear, and techniques.

More with snow

Make a crystal snowflake (www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/snowflake.html) with pipe cleaners and borax, or grow a real snowflake (www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/project/project.htm) using a plastic bottle, Styrofoam cup and dry ice.

Take a Field Trip

Alaska Zoo (www.alaskazoo.org). Bird counts, family runs, Zoo Lights and more.

Anchorage Coastal Refuge (www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=anchoragecoastal.main). A stretch of land that extends from Point Woronzof to Potter Creek on the west side of Anchorage, and includes ice-skating destination Potter Marsh.

Alaska Geographic (www.alaskageographic.org/static/148/learn) offers field courses, including a five-day ski and sled-dog adventure in February, though it's intended for more experienced adventurers.

Eagle River Nature Center (www.ernc.org). Take walks, ski, rent a cabin or yurt or take a class; plus, sign up for the annual solstice lantern walk, a personal favorite of mine.

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Anchorage Museum (www.anchoragemuseum.org/exhibits-events/). Be sure to check out the kid-friendly Imaginarium Discovery Center.

Jill Burke is a longtime Alaska journalist writing from the center of a busy family life. Her father swore by "Burke's Law No. 1 -- never take no for an answer." Meaning, don't give up in the face of adversity. The lesson stuck. Share your ideas with her at jill@alaskadispatch.com, on Facebook or on Twitter.

The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints.

Jill Burke

Jill Burke is a former writer and columnist for Alaska Dispatch News.

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