Prep your yard for “super monarchs” with fall wildflowers

Get ready: the Super Generation is coming! The great grandkids of the monarchs we saw last spring will soon fly through central Texas. These monarchs, the fourth generation in the migratory chain, have an extra special role: they will travel all the way from Canada and the northern U.S. to the forests of Mexico, where they’ll spend the winter. To make the journey, “super monarchs” live eight times longer than other generations (about eight months) and travel 10 times farther—covering 50 to 100 miles a day, with the help of air currents. (Catch Flight of the Butterflies 3D at the Mill this September to see the journey!)

Gregg’s Mistflower is a fall favorite for monarchs
(Photo: Ray A. Moranz, USDA/NRCS)

To welcome them and other pollinators, our horticultural guru Justin Fyffe is busy prepping the Science Mill’s Butterfly Garden. “Fall monarchs need nectar sources to fuel their long flight,” says Justin. “One of my favorites—and a butterfly favorite, too—is Gregg’s Mistflower. It’s beautiful, it’s easy to maintain and it’s a magnificent nectar source for pollinators.” Texas Lantana and Turk’s Cap are also good nectar sources; our butterfly- and bee-friendly garden guides have more suggestions.

Justin recommends adding these nectar-rich native plants by mid-to-late September. “Start the month by laying down fresh mulch compost. Then your beds will be ready to plant in two to three weeks. September 13-18 are usually good planting dates for the Hill Country area.”

September’s prep work also includes planning for next spring. “By late August, a lot of our native plants finish flowering and have gone to seed. It’s a great time to collect those seeds and redistribute them,” explains Justin. “I’m the crazy plant guy who goes on walks in the park and comes home with pockets filled with seeds!” Planting wildflower seeds in mid-September to late October allows the plants to incubate in the cool winter temps. Justin uses the fall to propagate tropical Milkweed plants as well, which will provide essential shelter and food in the spring as monarch eggs hatch into caterpillars.

Amazingly, we’ll get a chance to briefly welcome the Super Generation back. From their breeding grounds in Mexico, they’ll journey north into Texas in late February to lay their eggs—the first generation of the new year’s migratory cycle. With Justin’s advice, we’ll be ready!

We’d love to see your pollinator gardens and hear about your monarch sightings: tag @ScienceMill on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

MORE TO EXPLORE

13 Ways to Help Butterflies and Bees

Track monarch sightings and add your own at Journey North

Join citizen science projects that support butterflies, bees and other pollinators:

Xerces Society

iNaturalist 

What is the future of STEM learning?

Lessons learned from the pandemic as we plan for a new school year

Mary Ruggles, Director of Education Programs

July is always a time warp for the Mill’s Education team: summer camps are in full swing, the museum is filled with vacation energy, but we’ve already jumped ahead to plans for the coming school year. That time warp feeling is especially strong this summer, as we also look back at the past year and a half to reflect on lessons learned during the pandemic.

Filming a Labs on the Go virtual segment: ziplines show force and motion in action!

There were bright spots among the challenges: collaboration grew across departments and “back burner” ideas got the full test kitchen treatment. The need to stay connected with families and educators became a chance to accelerate our virtual programs. For example, while our in-person Labs on the Go program was popular pre-pandemic, we knew it’s true potential was still untapped: how could we be in 50+ schools at the same time? We created a hybrid experience that keeps the Lab’s hands-on STEM activities (now shipped directly to schools) and weaves in engaging video content that highlights the science of the activities. We found that the virtual format provides teachers and students more flexibility to go at their own pace, divide up, revisit and expand on ideas. (Our next step: bringing Labs on the Go to families—more about that below.)

As we plan for the 2021-22 school year, we’re looking closely at learning recovery and ways Science Mill programs can help families and educators close opportunity gaps widened by the pandemic. Here are three core principles of quality STEM education we’re focused on for this fall and beyond:

Inquiry

Inquiry-based learning starts with curiosity. That’s our entry point for every Science Mill program, lab, exhibit, video or camp. By engaging students’ curiosity and wonder, their questions can propel the learning journey. It’s also brain science: curiosity triggers activity in the hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for memory creation, and primes our brains to take in new info.

Leaving space for students to unpack their questions can be harder than it sounds. It takes practice to guide without giving answers. We start by posing open-ended questions and move toward a level where students can choose what sparks their curiosity, ask their own questions, find their own answers and apply what they discover. With that shift, students take ownership of the inquiry process and build critical thinking “muscles” that power life-long learning.

Of course, inquiry isn’t limited to literally asking questions: playing, experimenting, testing, observing, imagining and tinkering can all be hands-on, minds-on inquiry in action.

Design-based challenges

An engineering challenge: Design a landing module that can touch down on a new planet.

We believe that students learn science best by doing science. So whether they’re roller coaster designers, water quality inspectors or zombie apocalypse survivors, Science Mill programs invite students to step into STEM careers and tackle real-world challenges (except for the zombies…I hope). We aim to create scenarios that are fun, immersive and authentic. They give context and relevance to STEM concepts that can otherwise feel abstract; for instance, the Laws of Motion take on richer meaning to students engaged in building a coaster’s loop-the-loop. Design-based challenges offer natural opportunities for cross-curricular connections, such as biology and engineering or math and art. These combinations encourage complex questions, as students explore multiple perspectives and discover there’s not necessarily a single solution.

We typically divide our design challenges into a series of problem-solving prompts, which follow the Engineering Design Process or other methods used in STEM fields. (Check out our robotics blog for more details.) The goal is to help students develop strategies for taking stock of larger problems and breaking them down into smaller chunks. This kind of computational thinking also helps students recognize underlying patterns in future problems and solutions.

Collaboration

STEM is a team sport: STEM professionals are almost always part of a team. And like any other area of STEM, students need opportunities to practice, develop and refine their collaboration skills. The pandemic has made this a challenge, particularly for families homeschooling for the first time. For students and parents at our Homeschool Day events, collaboration will continue to be a key element of Learning Labs—and we’d love to see adults grab coffee during that time to swap ideas as well!

A team of programers discuss their robot’s next move during a Learning Lab.

One of our goals for the coming school year is to foster a community for collaboration at the Science Mill. We’ll be hosting our first-ever Homeschool Days Meet n’ Greet on September 23. It’s a chance for students (and their adults) to connect, see familiar faces and meet new friends while enjoying snacks and some hands-on science. I and other Science Mill educators will be there as well, to chat about STEM learning at home. I’m also excited to announce the return of the STEM Scholar program for students involved in Homeschool Days, with a new feature: we’ll be making Labs on the Go available for STEM Scholar families to use at home. We’ll be sharing more details later this fall, along with information on other upcoming community events at the Science Mill, including Girl Scout Badge Days. 

I look forward to seeing you soon at the Science Mill! I’d love to hear how your family is doing hands-on STEM at home and how the Science Mill can help facilitate your learning journey. You can also connect with me at mary.ruggles@sciencemill.org.

MORE TO EXPLORE

Explorer Zone — our online learning hub with science videos and DIY activities

Homeschool Days + STEM Scholars

Labs on the Go

Field Trips

Virtual Professional Development for educators

Three ways sharks help the planet + three ways YOU can help sharks!

This July, we’ll be swimming in shark content, from NatGeo’s SharkFest and Discovery Channel’s Shark Week to the Science Mill’s own Shark Week, July 28-August 1.  You can even swim along a reef—virtually—for a limited time with the return of our SciDive 4D experience! 

To kick things off, let’s look beyond their fierce reputation and focus on a few of the many benefits sharks provide. Sadly, human activities kill as many as 100 million sharks each year—compare that to the few dozen shark attacks reported globally, and it’s clear who is the real threat. But you can make choices that support sharks and protect ocean health.

Three ways sharks help the planet

1. Sharks keep the food web in balance.

Many large shark species are apex predators at the top of the ocean’s food web. They’re pretty flexible about what they eat, chowing down on whatever prey is plentiful and switching to other foods if a prey population is low. In this way, apex predator sharks keep the food web in balance. Areas with healthy shark populations tend to have lots of other species, too—aka more biodiversity.

Without sharks to thin their numbers, other species may overeat, increase competition and set off a cascade of destructive changes. In the oceans near Australia, fewer sharks meant the grouper population grew; the extra groupers gobbled up algae-eating fish species and, without those helpful fish to keep the algae in check, stressed-out coral reefs struggled to survive. (Scientists also call sharks “keystone species,” because the “building blocks” of an ecosystem start to tumble without them.)

Sharks don’t even need to eat to help balance the food web. Researchers have found that tiger sharks’ intimidating presence alone affects where animals like green turtles and dugongs graze, which in turn protects seagrass ecosystems.

(Also, a shout-out to deep-sea sharks! As seafloor scavengers, they keep the ocean’s carbon cycle going.)

2. Sharks get nutrients moving.

Sharks can cover a lot of ocean, with some species migrating hundreds or even thousands of miles. Their “pit stops” along the way support ocean health: by eating in one location and pooping miles away in another, sharks help to cycle nutrients between ecosystems. When sharks dive, it also helps to mix nutrients across different ocean depths.

Grey reef sharks follow a daily routine of swimming out to hunt at night and returning by day to rest among lagoon reefs—where their poop provides fresh nutrients essential to the coral reefs’ health.

3. Sharks stop diseases from spreading. 

Sharks often prey on weak and sick animals, which may sound like an unfair face-off. But by feeding this way, sharks actually keep prey populations healthier. Sharks help cut down infectious diseases and slow their spread.

Three ways you can help sharks 

1. Avoid shark products and support laws that protect sharks.

Shark fins, considered a luxury ingredient, can sell for major money, which has unfortunately fueled destructive overfishing of sharks. Fins from as many as 73 million sharks are sold each year. Demand for shark meat adds to the problem, as does shark oil, which shows up in make-up and vitamin supplements—so be sure to check labels. And that shark tooth necklace on vacation? Best to skip it, too.

The Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act of 2021 (H.R. 2811/S. 1106) is currently in the U.S. Congress. You can learn more and share your support for the bill through the non-profit Oceana.


2. Make smart choices about seafood.

Scientists estimate that commercial fishing has shrunk populations of sharks and other large predatory fish by 90% worldwide. Many sharks are accidentally caught during longline and trawl net fishing, and rarely survive. To find more sustainably sourced and shark-friendly seafood options, Seafood Watch is a great resource—enter the seafood species you’re interested in and it will provide best choices, good alternatives and things to avoid.


3. Speak up for sharks!

Keep learning about sharks and spread the word about all the awesome things they do for our planet. You might just change someone’s attitude: seeing sharks as ocean protectors instead of people-eating predators is the first step toward helping sharks.

Plan a Hill Country road trip with kids

If your summer bucket list includes “Family time,” “Road trip,” and “Learn something new,” a visit to Johnson City will check all the boxes! To help you plan the perfect Hill Country getaway, we’ve rounded up kid-friendly spots around Johnson City, whether you’re traveling U.S. 281 or U.S. 290.

NOTE: Check websites or call ahead to confirm current availability, hours and policies; some attractions require advance reservations.

A day trip to Johnson City, TX

Start at the Science Mill

The Science Mill (Johnson City)

Science & Art Park at the Science Mill

Giant Bubbles Station

Aquaponics Greenhouse

Banana Piano

Jurassic Flight 4D Experience

Located in downtown Johnson City, Texas, this historic mill-turned-science center has 50+ imaginative, interactive exhibits to try, so you’ll want at least two hours (or easily more) to explore. Be sure to check out the Science & Art Park, newly expanded in 2020, for visitor favorites like the Colossal Robotic Hand, Fossil Dig and Giant Bubbles Station. Inside the museum, build your own race car, code robot critters, discover an aquaponic greenhouse and much more. And if “Fly like a pterosaur” is on your summer bucket list, we’ve got that covered, too: check out Jurassic Flight 4D, our new full-body, dino-focused virtual reality experience; reserve free tickets at the admission desk—limited spots available daily, so arrive early! 

For a speedy and contact-free entry, buy general admission tickets online. Visit our What’s New & FAQs pages to learn how we’re keeping hands-on science safe. Traveling with a group? We offer special discounts and activity packages for Group Visits!

Stroll the town square

A short walk from the Science Mill, historic downtown Johnson City has quirky shops and a vibrant art scene (most galleries open Fri-Sun). Shop unique local vendors at Market Days, the 4th weekend of the month, March-Nov.

Natural wonders & wild things

Hike, fish, swim and play at Pedernales River Nature Park and nearby Johnson City Park, a two-minute drive from the Science Mill. Or, reserve passes at Pedernales Falls State Park, where you can bird watch, bike, tube, kayak and camp. Pick up a Junior Ranger Journal for outdoor science ideas.

Turn your trip into a safari at the Exotic Resort Zoo, just north of downtown. Greet gazelles, camels, yaks and more on guided tours and at the petting zoo.

Travel through Texas history

Follow presidential footsteps through the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, including the park Visitor Center, LBJ’s Boyhood Home and the Settlement Trail (and his grandparents’ 1860s log cabin), all within walking distance of the Science Mill. Head 14 miles west to the LBJ Ranch for a self-guided driving tour and see the early one-room schoolhouse, reconstructed birthplace, the grounds of the Texas White House and more. Download the LBJ Park app for self-guided tours and print out a LBJ Junior Ranger booklet.

The adjacent Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site is home to the  Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm, where you can hear stories from the past as park rangers in 1890s garb spin yarn, blacksmith and demonstrate other farm chores.

Local flavor

What’s a day trip without tasty treats? At the Science Mill, enjoy farm-to-table food from Lady Bird Lane Cafe or pack a picnic; there are plenty of outdoor tables and shaded spots for blankets in the creekside pecan grove.

Family dining near downtown includes Proof & Cooper (outdoor playscape and patio), Pecan Street Brewing (kid- and pet-friendly biergarten) and Johnson City Coffee Co. (shaded patio). Indulge at Fat Boy Burgers (garden dining) or pick up snacks at Whittington’s Jerky and General Store. Further west on Hwy 290, on the way to the LBJ Ranch, order ahead at Hye Market (in a post office used since 1886!) and find just-picked peaches mid-May to August at Burg’s Corner, Vogel Orchard or Gold Orchards.

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Family road trip on U.S. 290

Heading west from Johnson City on U.S. 290, or east toward Austin? Consider these add-ons to your Hill Country itinerary!  

Marktplatz Park (Fredericksburg)

National Museum of the Pacific War (Fredericksburg)

Wildseed Farms (Fredericksburg)

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (Fredricksburg)

Old Tunnel State Park Bat Cave (Fredericksburg)

Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center & Preserve (Dripping Springs)

Dreamland (Dripping Springs)

Almost Grown Play Cafe & Ice Cream Shop (Dripping Springs)

Fredericksburg (30-35 min. from the Science Mill)

Explore the city’s German heritage at the Pioneer Museum, Vereins Kirche Museum and Marktplatz park. Other historical attractions range from the National Museum of the Pacific War (reservations recommended) to a driving tour of one-room schoolhouses. For wildflower photo-ops, follow Willow City Loop in the spring or head to Wildseed Farms, where commercial flower fields are open for family strolls (food available). Travel further north to hike the granite batholith at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area or south to watch a mesmerizing bat emergence at Old Tunnel State Park Bat Cave (both require reservations).

Dripping Springs (25-35 min. from the Science Mill)

Take a guided tour through a breathtaking grotto at Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center & Preserve (reservations required; visit website for upcoming family programs). Then it’s play time! Dreamland combines outdoor art with mini golf, pickleball and more (food available). At Almost Grown Play Café & Ice Cream Shop, ages six and under can explore the indoor play village, while the rest of the family enjoys a snack (reservations required). Stop by local favorite Rolling in Thyme and Dough to dine in the garden or grab food to go from Crepe Crazy. 

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Family road trip on U.S. 281

If you’re traveling on U.S. 281 between San Antonio and Johnson City (or points beyond), consider stops in Blanco or Canyon Lake. 

Buggy Barn Museum (Blanco)

Blanco State Park (Blanco)

Old 300 BBQ (Blanco)

Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country (Canyon Lake)

Canyon Lake Gorges (Canyon Lake)

Guadalupe River State Park (Spring Branch)

Natural Bridge Caverns (near New Braunfels)

Blanco (15-20 min. from the Science Mill)

Welcome to cowboy country! Discover local history at Blanco Pioneer Museum (Sundays only) and the Buggy Barn Museum—a one-of-a-kind collection of horse-drawn vehicles. In nearby Blanco State Park, rent kayaks and tubes for a day on the water (reservations required). The historic downtown has dining options near picnic-ready Bindseil City Park, including Old 300 BBQ (outdoor patio), Blanco River Pizza Co. and Redbud Cafe (+ pottery studio).

Canyon Lake (45-50 min. from the Science Mill)

Follow real dinosaur tracks at the Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country, which also has fossil exhibits and model dinosaurs. The three-hour guided Canyon Lake Gorge Tour is physically demanding, but offers an up-close look at fossils, dinosaur footprints and waterfalls (ages 7+; reservations required). For more natural attractions near U.S. 281, visit Guadalupe River State Park near Spring Branch (reservations recommended) or Natural Bridge Caverns west of New Braunfels.

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With so much to do, you may want to upgrade your Hill Country getaway from a day trip to a long weekend. Johnson City has a helpful resource to find local inns, rentals and campgrounds. 

Now, hit the road! Drop us a digital postcard on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and tag us to show off your favorite stops.