KS History and Environment Fair -- Apr 24, 2008

The History and Environment Fair was held at the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka. Jeff Hansen and I set up a booth at the trail head to the restored prairie, which is on the Museum's grounds. Jeff led tours of the recently burned prairie. He explained how the prairie was shaped by three main factors: fire, grazers, and climate. The prairie was just beginning to sprout back to life after the fire. The lack of vegetation gave the students a good view of the prairie ant mounds.

There were literally hundreds of mounds scattered throughout the prairie. Both students and adults were impressed by the ant mounds and how the prairie grasses help support the mounds. Students also learned that a Kansas tallgrass prairie may have well over 500 species of plants.

I spent most of my time at the booth that was at the trail head. We displayed the bison hide, bison box, insect displays, and the prairie grass roots diagram. Here, you see some students learning that Native Americans used bison bladders as canteens.

These kids came all the way from Abilene, KS. They're tucked under GHF's bison hide to get a feel for how heavy and warm it is.

The GHF booth and tours were a big hit with students, teachers, and parents.

--Written by Angie Babbit and Jeff Hansen