Just because the school year is over doesn’t mean education is put on hold.

 

The Sherburne County Extension office is holding two workshops this week that combine fun and learning.

 

Tuesday (June 11), Marv Ziner of the Sherburne County Master Gardeners will be imparting some of his decades of knowledge during a geology workshop at Steve’s Elk River Nursery on Hwy. 10.

 

Ziner, a former science teacher in Elk River, will teach kids how to identify different types of rocks and minerals. They’ll be able to understand the difference between igneous sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and learn about crystals. Then kids can search out different rocks and prepare an exhibit for the Sherburne County Fair.

 

Ziner says nature is the best classroom, and kids tend to learn and remember more with a hands-on experience.

 

There’s more hands-on learning Thursday at the Sherburne County Fairgrounds during an entomology workshop. Again, it’s Marv Ziner doing the teaching, and kids will learn all about insects.

 

Ziner will talk about different species of insects native to the area and the type of plants that attract them. 

 

Then it’s time for action, and Ziner will show kids the proper way to use nets to capture insects. Then they’ll learn how to identify them, mount them and label each specimen as they prepare an exhibit for the  fair.

 

Both workshops are free for kids grades K and up.  Anyone interested can register for the workshops online on the county website under the U of M Extension link. Or contact Sherburne County 4-H Program Coordinator Danielle Ganje at 763-76503075 or ganje@umn.edu.