Education
This page is where we go in-depth on topics, explore the science, and find learning resources.
Education Catalog
-Nelson Mandela
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
Learning Resources
Animal Care Basics
Basic pet care and information.
Gardening Basics
Information about home gardening and tips for growing vegetables and herbs in various climates.
Harvesting and Storing Food
Information on preserving the harvest and storing food.
Animal Science
Studying animal biology has taught me much about how animals interact with their environment and how they behave with instincts. Most importantly, it taught me how to care for different animals properly. I hope learning these things will help you as well.
There are many different kinds of animals on Earth. To make sense of all the different animals, scientists put them into groups. This is called classification.
Animals are first grouped into vertebrates and invertebrates. Vertebrates have a backbone. Invertebrates do not have a backbone.
Vertebrates are divided into five main groups: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Types of Animals
Vertebrates (Animals with a backbone)
Mammals
Mammals are a group of animals called Mammalia.
All mammals have some things in common, but they can also be very different. But a unique characteristic is they have hair or fur.
There are more than 5,000 kinds of mammals. Some mammals can fly, some live in the ocean, and some live on land.
Birds
Birds have feathers, which is a unique characteristic that no other animal has.
They also have special hollow bones to reduce weight for flight. They also have a beak instead of a mouth.
There are over 9,000 species of birds.
Most birds have the ability to fly, but some have adapted to run or swim.
They all walk on two legs and have wings.
Fish
Fish are cold-blooded animals with gills and a backbone and live in water.
Some fish can live in salt water, others live in freshwater, and some live in a mix of salt and fresh water called brackish water.
Fish size can range from very small to the largest animals on Earth.
There are three main types of fish: Jawless Fish (50 species), Cartilaginous Fish (600 species), and Bony Fish (30,000 species).
Scientists are still discovering new species of fish.
Reptiles
Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrate animals that crawl or move on their short legs or belly. They have skin that is covered in scales.
Cold-blooded means they cannot regulate or change their temperature. They rely on the environment around them.
Amphibians
Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrate animals that have the ability to live both on land or in the water.
Invertebrates (Animals without a backbone)
Invertebrates
Invertebrates are animals that do not have a backbone.
They are found on land and in both saltwater (marine) or freshwater. They live all over the Earth and are the largest group of animals known.
As of now, scientists have found over 1.3 million species of invertebrates and think there are many more to be discovered.
Plant Science
Understanding the basics of how plants work and grow can help avoid mistakes and frustrations when growing a garden. It gives plants the best chance to be healthy and produce a lot of fruits and vegetables.
The study of how plants work and respond to their environment is called plant physiology. It looks at how plants absorb and use water, how light helps plants make food in a process called photosynthesis, and how plants fight diseases. Understanding plant physiology is important for farming, gardening, and working with plants. It helps explain how we grow food, care for the environment, manage forests, and more.
Knowing the basics of how plants function removes guesswork and problems. It sets up plants to thrive and produce a bountiful garden!
Mosses (Bryophytes)
Mosses are classified as Bryophyta.
Mosses are small plants that don’t have veins to move water and nutrients around. Mosses soak up water and nutrients directly from their surroundings.
You can find mosses growing in many places, from shady forests to dry rocky areas.
Mosses make spores to reproduce. The spores grow on stalks called seta. When the spores are released they can turn into new moss, if the conditions are right.
Mosses are important for the environment. They help hold soil in place and make habitats for tiny creatures.
People also use mosses for things like soil helpers, packing material, and decorations in yards and gardens.
Ferns (Pteridophytes)
Ferns belong to the phylum Filicinophyta.
Ferns are plants that don’t have flowers. Ferns have tubes in their stems and leaves that move water and nutrients around. This makes it easier for ferns to soak up what they need compared to mosses and liverworts.
Ferns grow well in damp places like rainforests or near rivers and streams.
They make spores on the underside of their leaves, or fronds, to reproduce. When conditions are right, the spores grow into tiny ferns that later become mature ferns after “fertilization”.
Ferns are important in many environments. They filter water, help soil hold water longer, and provide food and shelter for animals.
People also use ferns for gardening and medicine.
Conifers (Gymnosperms)
Conifers are cone-bearing seed plants that belong to the phylum Pinophyta.
They are evergreen trees or shrubs, meaning they retain their leaves year round.
Conifers grow best in cold climates and typically prefer moist environments.
They reproduce using cones, which house the plant’s seeds until they are mature enough to germinate and form new plants.
Conifers play an important role in many ecosystems as they provide food and shelter for many different plant and animal species, act as windbreaks for other plants, help retain soils, and provide natural sources of timber for people.
Also, conifers provide a variety of medicinal benefits due to their high levels of terpenes, which have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Flowering Plants (Angiosperms)
Flowering plants are seed plants that belong to the group Anthophyta.
These plants can make flowers to reproduce, but some don’t flower or have small flowers.
Flowering plants like mild weather and need enough sunlight, water, and nutrients in the soil.
They reproduce using pollination. Pollen from one flower goes to another flower on the same or different plant. This makes fertilization happen, which then creates fruits and seeds.
Flowering plants are important for ecosystems. They give food and shelter to animals, break up wind, stop erosion, and host helpful fungi and microbes.
People also enjoy flowering plants for their beauty, food, and medicine.
Elementary School
Here, you can find educational modules. We aim to learn about plants and animals!
Middle School/ Junior High
Time to level up from the little kid stuff. This module will build on a basic understanding of plants and animals.
High School
This is for more advanced learners with a good understanding of plant and animal biology.
College
Here we will really dive deep into the science of plants and animals. The language here will be more scientific and the material will build on an intermediate knowledge foundation. This educational block will utilize the study guides and printables in the hope you can really get an understanding of the material.
Practical
Here are planning resources to dive into actually doing the things.
Let us know what type of resources you would like us to provide for you.
We are always looking for your input to make the resources better.