Emerald Cove Outdoor Science Institute

It's the Vernal Equinox(aka first day of Spring). But it's not just a day on the calendar. Learn about the astronomy behind the equinox. http://ow.ly/iFE530rhDtB

It's Pacific Flyway migration season over Southern California. Learn more about this grand, annual migration. http://ow.ly/tWtK30rhDtA

In like a lion! March is delivering some much-needed moisture to California, including 1-2 feet of snow to the higher elevations of the San Bernardino Mountains. With statewide snowpack below average this year, we'd love for this lion to stick around! https://www.drought.gov//snow-drought-current-conditions-a

The Earth laughs in flowers. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Registration for the 2021-22 school year is now open! As teachers and parents are eager to ensure an exceptional educational experience for their children, next year's calendar is filling up fast. Head to www.ecosinstitute.com/register/ to register your school today!

Are you up on your Santa Ana River history? https://www.kcet.org//the-santa-ana-river-how-it-shaped-or

The beauty of the natural world lies in the details. Natalie AngierThe beauty of the natural world lies in the details. Natalie Angier

Do you know what a prenumbral lunar eclipse is? Learn about it now and watch it happen this Monday(11/30). https://earthsky.org//what-is-a-penumbral-eclipse-of-the-m

Though we often utilize the outdoors for science instruction, it can also be a great starting place for a language arts activity. Try this simple poetry lesson.

Get your students outside exploring, thinking and creating with this simple activity. https://youtu.be/r6A_zG5JouA

Science drawing instructions for people who aren't scientists and drawers(and even those that are.) We think that Steve's voice is real fun in this video. Who does it remind you of? https://youtu.be/bDg_W3jbm_E

The ECOS Institute crew wishes you a happy Thanksgiving. What are you grateful for today?

Do you know how to do the INIWIRMO? Tag someone who should learn. https://youtu.be/M0r3R4Qczog

By discovering nature, you discover yourself. Maxime LagacéBy discovering nature, you discover yourself. Maxime Lagacé

We proudly introduce our printable curriculum. See all of our distance resources at https://ecosinstitute.com/distance-learning-opportunities/

Sometimes it can be difficult for children to believe that they have the power to affect change. Here's a fun interview with one powerful youth(Greta Thuneburg) and an exceptionally fun adult, Rainn Wilson(aka Dwight from The Office). Who would you add to a list of young people that have made a difference? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBkWgutg4V4

Happy Autumnal Equinox! Here in the mountains, there is a chill in the air, leaves are starting to change color, and a few species of birds are already heading south!

The San Diego Natural History Museum is one of our favorite SoCal institutions. It will be a great place to visit (in beautiful Balboa Park!) when they reopen in 2021. In the meantime, they have wonderful online resources to explore. Check this out!

It's Perseid meteor shower season again! Peak viewing is August 11-13. https://earthsky.org/?p=165416

Tag someone who'd make a great ECOS Instructor. We're building our team. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVYxWXWHuX8

Happy Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year! Here's a video that explains what it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVzkVsWQBR8

This morning at ECOS, we awoke to thousands of migrating butterflies! You may remember the notable Painted Lady migrations of the past few years. Right now, we are enjoying a wonderful California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica) migration through the San Bernardino Mountains. Their journey through our mountain ecosystems coincides with the ongoing bloom of Mountain Whitethorn (Ceanothus cordulatus), a favorite food source. ... While you can currently see a constant stream of California Tortoiseshell butterflies as you hike through the forest, it is especially delightful to come upon large gatherings as they rest on the forest floor. Their very effective camouflage (see picture below) make them almost imperceptible as they rest, and then hundreds take flight in a colorful flurry of activity!