This document provides guidance for conducting explorations of the natural environment. It recommends observing and documenting different types of trees by collecting samples like leaves and flowers. It also suggests documenting the diversity of flowers by recording their names, seasons, uses by animals and humans. The document provides tips for experiments like extracting dyes from flowers and testing their permanence. It recommends taking measurements of trees and preparing maps and albums. It also lists variables to observe for birds, insects, rocks, soil, water, air, and the built environment. The overall document outlines steps for students to explore, observe, document and experiment on different aspects of their natural surroundings.

1. Take off for exploration
Sandipan Dhar
sandipandhar@gmail.com

2. Exploring trees
•Observation and documentation
different types

7. Collect some documents
• Dry leaf,
• Leaf print,
• Seeds,
• Dry flowers, etc.

8. Documentation of diversity
of flower and their role/uses.
Important information to be collected
•Name,
•Season of flowering,
•Association with animal life,
•Human uses,
•Assess the environmental and human benefit,
•Assess whether any threat is there,etc.
Tips for experiment
•Try to extracts colour or colouring agents from the
colourful flowers by crushing,
•Test the permanency of the colour in acid and basic,
•Dye cotton thread or other items by it; observe the
permanency,
•Assess if there is any potentiality among the
experimented flowers,
•Try to assess the economics involved in it.

9. Take measurement
• Total height of the tree,
• Height from where branching starts,
• Canopy coverage,
• Garth,
• Root areas at surface level,
• Prepare a tree map,
• Prepare album.

11. Observation and documentation birds,
insects, reptiles etc
what, where and How
• Physical structure, size, colour,
• Habitat,
• Food,
• Seasonality if any,
• Common/rare

16. Explore rocks, land and soil
Rocks:
• Observe : colour, shape, hardness,
• Identify: location, layers ( if any),
• Measure: true dip and apparent dip,
• Note : associated features.

17. Observation and experimentation of soil

18. Use tripod lance/ magnifying glass or
microscope observation

19. Observe solubility and colour variation .
Try to identify the reasons for variation

20. Observe rate of permeability

21. Used feel method to identify the
textural composition.

22. Prepare litmus paper to varify soil chemical reaction

23. Observation of decaying processes and pattern created
by organisms help to understand characteristics of soil

24. Observe pattern created by different organism

25. water related observation
• Physical characteristics
 Colour,
 Odor,
 Test,
 Turbidity,
 Temperature,
• Chemical:
 pH
• Biological

26. Observation of Air
• Wind
• Temperature
• Intensity of solar
radiation
• Dust and other solid
particle in air
• Humidity
• Cloud

27. Observation of built environment
• Land uses
• Pattern of housing • Habits of disposal of
• Home garden waste
• Agriculture • Habits of uses of natural
• Sacred space/tree, etc resources , etc.

28. Let them explore and enjoy !