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The moon follows a 29.5-day cycle and affects Earth’s tides through gravity. It likely formed from a collision between Earth and another planet. With no atmosphere, the moon has extreme temperature changes. The far side of the moon is not darker, just never visible from Earth. It is slowly moving away about one inch per year. The moon remains a source of mystery and inspiration despite being explored and studied for decades.

An insect census helps scientists study biodiversity and habitat health. Insects are vital for pollination and the food chain. You can join by watching insects near plants, recording what you see, and sharing your data. Use tools like a timer, paper, and a camera. Even if you’re not an expert, your observations help real scientists. Just remember to be gentle and return any insects you catch.

Tortoise beetles are tiny, colorful insects with turtle-like shells that help them hide from predators. Found in Illinois, they come in many colors like gold, green, or speckled. Some can even change color. They eat plants, live only about three months, and moms protect their young. As larvae, they build poop umbrellas (called fecal parasols) to hide and stink off predators. Keep an eye out for these clever beetles this summer.

Rainbows form when sunlight hits water droplets in the air, bending and reflecting light to create a colorful arc. Roy G. Biv helps us remember the rainbow’s color order: red to violet. Rainbows are optical illusions and can also appear as fogbows in fog or moonbows at night. Sometimes, a double rainbow forms with reversed colors on the outer arc. Though we see arcs, rainbows are actually full circles, with only part visible from the ground.

Rose-breasted grosbeaks are striking black and white birds with rose-colored chests, seen in Illinois during breeding season. Only adult males have the rosy chest. Females and young are streaky brown. They eat seeds, insects, and fruit, nesting in trees with both sexes caring for the young. Their song is sweet like a robin’s, and their “eek” call sounds like a gym shoe squeak. Other grosbeaks exist in North America, but few are seen regularly in Illinois.

Synanthropes are wild animals and plants that thrive alongside humans in cities and suburbs. Examples include raccoons, crows, cellar spiders, and dandelions. Unlike pets or livestock, they live independently but benefit from human activity. Many, like raccoons and crows, are clever scavengers. Some, like cellar spiders, may not survive without us. These urban species are all around—just remember to observe them safely from a distance.

Mosquitoes may be pesky, but they play important roles like pollinating plants and feeding animals. Only females bite, using scent and heat to find us. Bug sprays use ingredients like DEET, picaridin, and natural oils to mask our scent or repel insects. Insecticides kill bugs but can harm helpful species, while repellents keep bugs away safely. For outdoor fun, wear light clothes and apply bug spray properly for bite-free adventures.

Not all bees make honey or live in hives, and honeybees aren’t native to the U.S. They were brought from Europe in the 1600s and spread across the country. Honeybees have a long history, with fossils dating back 34 million years. Humans began beekeeping over 10,000 years ago. Today, honeybees are key pollinators for many crops. A fossil found in Nevada shows honeybees once lived in North America long before European settlers arrived.

Try a nighttime scavenger hunt to discover things you can only see or hear after dark like stars, bats, fireflies, glowing animal eyes and insect calls. Turn it into a team challenge with flashlights and silly selfies. Explore forest preserves or camp overnight for even more fun under the stars.

Stars look tiny and twinkle because we see them from far away through Earth’s atmosphere, which bends their light. The sun looks bigger because it’s closer to us. Stars vary in size, with some much larger than the sun. Planets can also appear to twinkle as they reflect sunlight. For the best stargazing, head somewhere dark and open. Apps can help identify stars, and local events offer chances to explore the night sky.

Cicadas are loud insects with unique anatomy. They have an exoskeleton, six legs, four wings, antennae, compound eyes, and a beak for sipping plant juices. Males make sound using tymbals—ribbed organs that click when flexed. Air sacs amplify the sound, which can be as loud as a lawnmower. They call to attract mates, express distress, or say “leave me alone.” Despite no lungs or vocal cords, their body design makes them some of the loudest insects on Earth.

The eastern musk turtle, or stinkpot turtle, is one of the smallest turtles in the world, growing just 2 to 5 inches long. It prefers walking in shallow water, can climb low branches, and is most active at dawn and dusk. As an indicator species, its presence helps scientists understand water quality. Despite its size, it’s defensive—able to bite from birth and release a foul smell when threatened.

Plants may seem picky, but many survive in tough places like sidewalk cracks. Tiny roots find microscopic gaps in concrete, seeking water and soil. As roots grow, they widen cracks, letting in more water and helping the plant thrive. These hardy plants create mini-ecosystems for insects and pollinators. You can even watch root growth at home using seeds in a clear bag.

May brings blooming flowers, perfect for pressing and preserving. Place flowers between tissue or coffee filters inside a heavy book. Add weight and wait two to six weeks, replacing paper if damp. Use fresh flowers for best results. Try different types and use your pressed flowers in art, framed decor, or a nature journal with notes on species and location.

Yellow-bellied sapsuckers are migratory woodpeckers seen in northern Illinois during spring and fall. Unlike bright yellow birds, they have subtle yellow bellies and red foreheads. They feed on tree sap, drilling rows of holes in trees like maple and birch. Sap attracts insects and other wildlife. These forest birds nest in tree cavities and have a slow, irregular drumming pattern. They’re rarely seen at feeders but may eat suet or mealworms.

Spring is full of sound—chirps, rustles, beeps and songs. Try “fox ears” by cupping your hands behind your ears to hear more. Stand still, close your eyes and take deep breaths to focus. Listen for bird calls, frog songs, rustling grasses, buzzing insects and woodpecker drums. Make it a game by counting how many different sounds you hear. Let the soundscape of spring guide your next outdoor adventure.

Earth is home to millions of species and is about 71% water. It’s not a perfect sphere, constantly changing shape due to tectonic activity and melting glaciers. Formed over 4.5 billion years ago, Earth won’t last forever as the sun will eventually die. The highest point is Mount Everest, the lowest is Challenger Deep. Earth’s name is unique among planets and its mantle is semi-solid, driving geological activity. Climate change threatens its ability to support life.

Make a rain gauge to see how much it rains in April. Cut the top off a 2-liter bottle, add rocks, and fill with water to a marked line 2 inches up. Mark half-inch measurements above that. Place the top back in as a funnel and set it outside when it rains. Record how much rain falls and track it in a notebook. See when it rained most during the month.

Illinois’ state amphibian is the tiger salamander. These secretive creatures start life in water and move to land as adults. They’re nocturnal, camouflaged, and can regrow lost limbs. Salamanders breathe through their skin and lungs and need moisture to survive. Though rarely seen, you can spot Ghillie, a tiger salamander, at Isle a la Cache Museum while his home at Hidden Oaks Nature Center is under construction.

Birds sing early in the morning in what’s called the dawn chorus, mostly to attract mates and claim territory. Mornings are quieter and safer, helping their songs carry farther. Studies show birds improve their singing as the day goes on, suggesting morning songs are like vocal warmups. While male birds do most of the singing, some females sing too. In cities, the chorus may start earlier due to artificial light. Spring and summer are peak singing seasons.