Guest Activity Courtesy of Dallas Arboretum – DIY Plant Press

Preserve your own plant specimens – for scientific investigation or art – with easy instructions for a DIY Plant Press! A special thank you to the Dallas Arboretum for collaborating with us for this activity.

Fun fact: If you don’t have all the materials to make your own DIY Plant Press, but would still like to preserve some flowers or leaves, place cuttings between the pages of a phone book. (Note: flat leaves and flowers with flat blooms press best!) Then, weigh down the phone book with some other heavy books and let your plant cuttings dry for one to two weeks. Gently remove the dried flowers and leaves to use for an art or science project!

Materials List: Earth Day Extravaganza

We are so excited for you to participate in Girlstart’s Earth Day Extravaganza! Gather your materials and join us on Earth Day, April 22, for hands-on STEM fun.

DIY Plant Press – Dallas Arboretum

  • Absorbent paper
  • Cardboard
  • Leaf and flower cuttings
  • 2 pieces of wood
  • 2 utility straps, webbing belts, or large zip ties

Oil Spill Clean-Up

  • Cocoa powder (approximately 1 tablespoon)
  • Cotton ball
  • Dishwashing detergent (“grease-fighting” detergent works best)
  • Paper towels
  • Plastic bin or container
  • 2 small bowls
  • Spoon
  • Tablespoon measure
  • Vegetable oil (approximately 4 tablespoons)
  • Water

Pinwheels and Wind Energy

  • Paper
  • Pencil with eraser
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Thumbtack or T-pin

T-Shirt Upcycling

  • Old t-shirt (size adult medium or larger shirts work best)
  • Permanent or fabric maker
  • Ruler
  • Scissors

Materials List: Lunar Starry Night at Home

We are excited for you to participate in Girlstart’s Starry Night at Home, including a Lunar show and hands-on STEM activities! Gather materials from around the house and join us on Thursday, April 1st for Starry fun.

Lunar Augmented Reality

  • Smartphone with internet access

Moon Leap

  • Paper
  • Pencil or marker

Oreo Moon Phases

  • 4 Oreos or other chocolate sandwich cookies
  • Paper plate
  • Pen, pencil, or markers
  • Popsicle stick or butter knife

Soft Landing

  • Egg – regular or hard-boiled
  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Tape

An assortment of the following materials, or similar items found around your house:

  • Balloons
  • Bubble wrap
  • Cotton balls
  • Marshmallows
  • Pieces of cardboard
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Pom poms
  • Popsicle sticks
  • Rubber bands
  • Scissors