See the latest article in the Belchertown Sentinel, May 31, 2012 Page 1 and page 20.
http://www.belchertownsentinelonline.com/archives.html
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the Archives and choose May 31st to access a pdf version of the paper. Written by Aimee Henderson
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Friday, June 15, 2012
10 years apart, but lots to learn from each other!
What happens when you take a few dozen Kindergartners and mix them together with a few dozen 10th grade Biology students? Fun.
With MCAS over, it was time for the hard-working Biology students to get over to Lake Wallace to work a little harder! With Josh and Brady, our Sentinel-front-page-celebrities, in command, the 10th graders were bound to learn lots about the life in the water and the challenges and joys of sharing this exploration of the diversity of fascinating critters invisible among us.
Thanks to Mrs.Butler and the teachers and staff who helped make this trip a success!
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| Snails! |
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| Scoop away! |
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| There's bound to be something living under that duck weed! |
With MCAS over, it was time for the hard-working Biology students to get over to Lake Wallace to work a little harder! With Josh and Brady, our Sentinel-front-page-celebrities, in command, the 10th graders were bound to learn lots about the life in the water and the challenges and joys of sharing this exploration of the diversity of fascinating critters invisible among us.
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| thanks, dragonflies! |
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| A brief visit from a reptile |
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| Now, let's see what we scooped up |
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| Scientists hard at work, sorting, sketching, describing, comparing |
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| Yep, we found lots! |
Kindergartners and Biology, in the morning
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| Biologists, ready to meet their charges |
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| Scat alert |
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| goose scat and feathers, everywhere! |
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| Mosquito-eating friends |
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| Sorting through the nice bugs, and the ones we might think are icky |
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| Water Scorpion ... nice find! |
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| Who's up for another game of fishy, fishy, cross my ocean?! |
Kindergartners and Biology, in the afternoon
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| Gear, jars, and landscape |
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| There's nothing quite like scooping for frogs! |
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| Partners, getting a good look at the pond critters |
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| MsLevy lends a hand sorting and identifying |
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| Scientists consult about what they saw and how many ... especially the snails |
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| Kaylee, crayfish and Ashley |
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| Was that Brandon yelling, "Catch Justin"?! |
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| Tyburski and Turtle |
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| Yep, that was fun ... Let's do it again!! |
8th graders make the best of staying in Belchertown
While their classmates were off in our nations' capital, 20+ intrepid explorers tried their hand at scooping, sorting and identifying aquatic critters. Our main goal was to scoop our way to discovering the quality of the water in the Lake Wallace watershed. Turns out it is pretty good! Not only did we find a variety of dragonfly and damselfly nymphs, there were lots of crayfish and a beetle larva that just has to be a great find!
The group got a first-hand comparison of good and poor quality water, and discussed the meaning of high biodiversity in a healthy ecosystem. The leeches both repulsed and fascinated. Check out that rich, brick color on the belly and the fetching spots on its back...kinda pretty, huh?!
Perfect weather, great students, and lots of good learning.
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| (If you know what this is, please email MsLevy at llevy@belchertown.org) |
The group got a first-hand comparison of good and poor quality water, and discussed the meaning of high biodiversity in a healthy ecosystem. The leeches both repulsed and fascinated. Check out that rich, brick color on the belly and the fetching spots on its back...kinda pretty, huh?!
Perfect weather, great students, and lots of good learning.
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