WILLOUGHBY, Ohio — There are mysteries to be solved. A fictional crime spree at the North Chagrin Nature Center in the Cleveland Metroparks. Firewood gnawed, refrigerator raided, fish eaten. There's a mess at the front desk. And computer cables chewed. Sure, there are witnesses, the turtles and fish that live at the center, but they aren't talking. It is up to the junior detectives of Nature Center CSI to examine evidence. Can they find the culprit from a list of suspects?
Connecting kids with local wildlife, in this fun way, is the work of naturalist Nicole Hindman. She runs STEM Sundays at the center, once a month, throughout the year. Each month is a new hand on activity.
"Every time you come into Metroparks program and you're learning about squirrels or bugs, you are doing Stem because you're learning about biology, which is the ‘S’ and STEM is science," explained Nicole Hindman.
And on this day there is technology as well.
"We have a microscope that lets you look at some of the evidence from our nature center, CSI close up," said Hindman.
Hindman says while growing up, science classes were often presented in a dry and boring way. Uninspired, she almost missed out on her dream job at the Metroparks.
"And I didn't know I liked it until I went to college and realized I could learn about animals and I could do that for a job, which is awesome," said Hindman.
That's why she wants to make STEM fun for the visitors.
"STEM can absolutely be for everyone,” said Hindman. “It's just getting that interest and feeling like they are empowered enough to give it a shot."
As for our suspects, the beaver, raccoon, brown bat and mouse were all found to be responsible for the mischief. Earning these junior detectives their Nature Center CSI badges. Case closed.
The next STEM Sunday is March 3rd at the North Chagrin Nature Center. Where you can learn why is such an important time for our local amphibians.