Firing up the rocket stove. Rocket stoves, designed by Dr. Larry Winiarski and others, are inexpensive stoves for burning biomass more efficiently and with less smoke and harmful gasses. In areas where burning biomass is a necessity, a rocket stove can make fuel go further — plus providing health benefits to those who do the cooking, since they will breathe less smoke. Total cost for building our rocket stove: eight dollars.

Boiling fennel, to make a natural dye, on the rocket stove.

An aspiring naturalist with his drawing of Branta canadiensis.

Nachi giving an impromptu lesson on solving Rubik’s cubes.

Hiking through the chaparral at Foothills Park in Palo Alto.