In 2014, UW piloted an environmental art program called “Forest Thursday” at the YMCA in Canyonville, where environmental science and social concepts were taught and examined with hands-on art projects. The program continues to evolve and is now being taught in Roseburg at the Boys & Girls Club of the Umpqua Valley after-school programs. This program plays on the creativity of 2nd through 5th graders as a fun way to explore their connection with nature. The art projects are always about science and nature; they often feature a forest creature . Our educators often bring in elements from nature such as leaves or pine cones to create unique art with the students. Other art projects upcycle egg cartons, toilet paper rolls and other items that might otherwise be discarded. We partner with the Boys & Girls Club Garden Coordinator to study compost, the importance of pollinators, building bird boxes and more!
Gyotaku, or Japanese fish art, was a great way for kids to design their own fish!
For Halloween we focused on spiders and their importance as predator and prey!
Learning about caterpillars before going to find some in the garden!
Pine cone and acorn hummingbirds are buzzing around the art room!
Making bees as part of our pollinator unit!