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Dear Friends,

 

This week Stepping Stones is shining the spotlight on endangered species . Together, we’ll explore the positive roles we all can play in protecting the animals we share the Earth with, including the environments they depend upon for survival. 

 

Without our protection, animals on the endangered species list are at risk of forever disappearing from the planet. We even have some endangered and threatened animals in CT, including the barn owl and the leatherback sea turtle . Whether it’s from loss of habitat, global climate change or too much hunting and fishing, we’ll investigate how some of our favorite animals became endangered.

 

The good news is we have the power to help! Whether it’s by doing something to protect the environment or supporting the work of conservationists in protecting the species they love, we can help endangered species make a comeback. Check out the information we included about world renowned chimpanzee expert, Dr. Jane Goodall .

 

We're also excited to launch the second week of our virtual content partnership with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra . The Symphony will be providing us with engaging video content about music and instruments, and we will complement their content with fun home extension activities related to each week's video!

Please share with us your own experiences and concerns about helping endangered animals on Facebook or Instagram by using the hashtag #mysteppingstones.

 

Together, we can make a difference.

The Stepping Stones STEAM Team

Bear-y Cool!

Despite their white fur, polar bears actually have black skin (which can be seen on their snouts!) Their highly pigmented skin helps absorb and retain the sun's warmth.

Norwalk Symphony Virtual Content Partnership

In this video, learn about the W oodwinds section with Kathie Sumrow, Janet Rosen, Kathleen Rimlinger and Scott Switzer of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra!

Then make your very own woodwind instrument using household materials.

BooZoo’s Book Buddies

This week, we're featuring a storybook read-aloud with Dr. Jane Goodall, reading her book, Chimpanzee Family !



Join the fun!

Record a video of your child reading their favorite story and then post it on our  Facebook  page by tagging us at @steppingstonesmuseum and using the hashtag  #BooZoosBookBuddies . We’ll share your story across all our social channels.

BooZoo’s Best Booklist

Thank You Bees by Toni Yuly

Clouds bring the rain that makes puddles to splash in. Sheep give us wool for our sweaters and hats. The honey that sweetens our bread comes from bees (thank you, bees). With spare, repetitive text and bright, torn-paper collage artwork, this picture book gives even the youngest readers a subtle sense of how everyday things are related — and inspires an appreciation for life’s simple gifts.

Dr. Jane Goodall, world-renowned primatologist and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, has spent more than 60 years studying and sharing the intelligence and emotional depth of chimpanzees as a means to protect them. In 1991, she started the global Roots and Shoots program to bring together the world’s youth to work on environmental, conservation and humanitarian issues.

Dr. Goodall has written a number of books about her experiences with chimpanzees and love of all animals, including Rickie and Henri: A True Story.

Fitness Fun

Endangered Species Yoga

Roar like a tiger and dance like a lemur while we travel the globe learning about endangered animals and discovering your power to help them!

Cristine's Critters Live Stream

Saturday, May 16 at 10:00 am

Facebook Live

Our friends at Christine's Critters will be hosting a Facebook Live focused on the endangered species they have in their care, as well as how human behaviors can put animals in danger.

Virtual Tour of a Police Cruiser

Friday, May 15 at 4:30 pm

Meeting with ZOOM

Join us on a virtual tour of a police cruiser, motorcycle and bicycle with our friends from the Norwalk Police Department! After the tour of the different vehicles, there will be an open Q&A with the officers.

Honor a Local Frontline Hero

Donate a beautiful, handcrafted tile to honor  an individual in your life or community organization that has exemplified heroism during this crisis. All tiles will be permanently displayed in a prominent area of the museum to be enjoyed for generations.

As an added incentive, Subway has generously donated gift cards to be distributed to the top teams - the first prize is a $500 gift card!

Printable DIY Home Extensions

Art Smart

Camouflage Art

Camouflage is how animals blend in with their environment, changing their coloring to perfectly match their surroundings. From insects and lizards hiding on a leafy tree branch to octopuses changing color to blend into a rocky sea floor, it helps them to stay safe and hidden. Create your own camouflage art made with items found in nature and see what animals you can hide! To learn more about camouflage, check out this  National Geographic  link.

Science Central

Bee Hotels

Honeybees have become part of the endangered species list, which is bad news for humans. Honeybees are the world’s most important pollinator of food crops, responsible for one-third of the food we eat. Building bee houses or hotels will attract these important insects and help maintain a healthy population.

ELLI-vate Learning

Presented by ELLI, The Early Language and Literacy Initiative ^(SM)



Distance learning at home has turned busy parents into novice teachers. We are here to help! ELLI provides our preschool families with daily content to help make learning and laughter come together.

If you need some tips for helping your little one engage with learning, please email us with your questions!

Share your progress with our home extension activities on social media by tagging us and using #MySteppingStones.

Our favorite submissions will also be shared on the museum website, so be sure to tag Stepping Stones in your posts!

Get some helpful tips on how to film a great video from our talented Multimedia team at Stepping Stones!

Movies to Watch

Apps to Download

Videos to Watch

Bird's Songbook

A carefully curated selection of songs by Dan, Dan the Music Man.

Octopus’s Garden 

(written by the Beatles, performed by Raffi)

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS!

Your support allows us to offer award-winning multi-sensory exhibits, galleries, and onsite and offsite playful learning experiences that foster children and caregiver understanding and appreciation of the world. 

 

Even though we are not open for play,  consider renewing your membership, or gift one to another family. All memberships – current, joining or renewing – will be extended while the museum is closed.

 

Your membership matters. The longer you are a member, the more impact you have on the museum and the programs you love. If you have questions about playful learning activities you can do at home or have a special request, please contact us by leaving a voicemail at 203 899 0606, ext. 264 or emailing us directly at  [email protected].

Support the museum when you shop. Amazon Smile will donate a part of your purchase to Stepping Stones Museum for Children.