EXPLORE YOUR WORLD HELD IN JACKSON PARK

Janie Stout, seated, was quizzed when she arrived to pick up her daughters, Anna Stout, left, and Morgan Stout.

On July 24, "Explore your World" was held in Jackson City Park at Shelter 1.

The first item on the agenda was a discussion about the various uses of trees. Aside from the obvious uses of trees to make paper and furniture, instructor Dan Brown informed the class of more obscure uses for trees, such as: carpets, wigs, fabrics and medicines, to name a few.

A conclusion was made by the group that for every tree cut down, 50 seeds should be planted, due to the survival of so few seeds.

The class then proceeded to tree classification. The group was able to identify several trees in the park by examining their leaves, their flowers, seeds and fruits. The class became informed of the actual name of the maple tree's seed: samaras, otherwise casually known as helicopters.

By observing the differences in leaves, their arrangement on branches and asking scientific questions, the class was able to produce a key for separating the differences between trees. The class concluded when Janie Stout arrived to pick up her daughters, Anna Stout and Morgan Stout. Stout was greeted with a pop quiz about trees. She followed the key and passed with flying colors.