We are all connected: chemically, ecologically, and evolutionarily |

http://www.naturerocks.org

Getting outside and exploring nature is great, but how do you make it personal? As a science-minded person, I think of having a connection to nature in several ways, and I share these views with Patrick as we are out exploring.

1. We are all connected to everything in the natural world because we share atoms that were created in the early moments of the universe. The astronomer Carl Sagan popularized the notion that we are made of star stuff: “Some part of our being knows this is where we came from. We long to return. And we can. Because the cosmos is also within us. We’re made of star-stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself.” I am not a religious nor spiritual person, but this line of thinking comes as close to such a thing for me. My son is fond – and so am I – of the following music video from Symphony of Science:

When I am outside with Patrick, I talk about this connection when we are looking at a tree, a bug, or a cloud. We share the same matter with nature. That is one way of to make exploring nature personal.

Patrick shares atoms with these volcanic rocks and the moon in the sky, at Elk Rock Island in Milwaukie, OR

2. We are all connected to everything in the natural world because our actions as organisms on this planet affect the environment. Awareness of humanity’s ecological role is another way to make nature exploring personal.

Patrick feels a connection to trees on Marquam Trail, Portland, OR (photo by Catherine)

3. We are all connected to everything in the natural world because we evolved from it. The process of evolution (Darwin’s theory of natural selection and the idea of common descent) has always been an important subject in educating my child about his place in the natural world.

Patrick expresses his inner animal at the Oregon Zoo, Portland, OR (photo by Catherine)

What better way to make bird watching or bug hunting – or visits to the zoo – more personal than to make it a family affair? I talk with Patrick about various animals being like very distant cousins.

Patrick visits with a distant cousin in our backyard

Again, another Symphony of Science video that we like:

I cannot think of any better reason why a child should spend time exploring nature than this: whether chemically, ecologically, evolutionarily, or another way that works for you, every child is nature.