Exploring Mother Nature

Hearnes Elementary third graders check to see if they caught any pond life during Solar Day Tuesday at the Wayne Corse family farm near Charleston. Over 200 third and fifth graders and teachers from Hearnes Elementary and St. Henry School in Charleston, along with presenters and volunteers, participated in the annual event which teaches children about outdoor life. Leonna Heuring, Staff

Tuesday marked the annual event known as Solar Day. Over 200 third and fifth graders and teachers from Hearnes Elementary and St. Henry School in Charleston, along with presenters and volunteers, flocked to the Wayne Corse family farm near Charleston.

"This is amazing. It's a great day. There's so much science and public safety for the children to learn, and they gain an appreciation for nature," said Stephanie Bledsoe, a parent of a St. Henry third grader.

From learning how to plant flowers and make bird feeders to learning about the different organisms living in the pond, the interactive learning is a great experience for the children.

"I think it's great the Corse family does this and the volunteers who help, too," Bledsoe said. "It's also great for the (Charleston) public schools to invite St. Henry students to come, too."

The daylong event aims to teach students about outdoor life and conservation through various activities and stations, including those about pond life, birds, cooking, fishing, bike safety, reptiles and amphibians and much more.

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