Kids, Science, and Dane County Parks

by Owen Ayite-Atayi, age 18

Student reporters from Simpson Street Free Press recently attended an Environmental Fun Fair at the Lussier Family Heritage Center. Sponsored by Dane Parks, the event was intended to spark an interest in science and nature through hands-on outdoor activities. The event was free and there were many interesting opportunities for kids of all ages.

Each summer and fall we explore Dane County’s various parks and natural areas. Simpson Street student reporters have been to the Lussier Family Heritage Center many times, in part because it’s so convenient to Madison’s southside. The Lussier Center is located next to Lake Farm County Park, which is a large park with plenty of trails and room to explore nature.

On this day we found a local fair type of atmosphere at an event focused on the environment. There were lots of activities and stations set up for kids and families. There was something for everyone and all the activities centered on science, nature, and outdoor recreation.

One good example was disc golf. Our students loved playing the disc golf course, which was not too hard but just challenging enough for almost any age. Simpson Street students also participated in a Wind Turbine Design Challenge, and adding to a Recycled Art Mural.

Our younger students especially enjoyed the Wind Turbine Design Challenge, where they built wind turbines from recycled materials and tested the strength of their designs in a friendly competition. The experiment's goal was to measure the turbines' performance by using screw washers as weights to test how much power each design could generate. One student’s design was able to hold an impressive 20 washers!

It was a fun way to explore science through an outdoor activity. Through trial and error, the students learned how design choices can affect a turbine's strength and efficiency, giving them a firsthand look at real-world engineering.

The event was well attended, and kids of all ages found interesting things to learn about and explore. You can learn about upcoming events at the Dane County Parks website. You can see more photos by clicking this link:

Photos: Environmental Fair at Lussier Family Heritage Center

“This event reflects the power of collaboration across Dane County,” said the Dane County Executive Melissa Agard. “It brings together departments, local organizations, educators, and families in one place to inspire a deeper connection to nature, science, and community.”