4th graders at Aumsville Elementary finished off a great science unit Thursday in a hands-on way: a fishing trip to St. Louis Ponds!
Field trips are designed to take what students learn in the classroom and show how it works in the real world. For this unit, students studied natural disasters, including the impacts of erosion.
The first field trip was to the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory at OSU, fantastic opportunity for them to see actual tsunami and storm surge simulations. They were able to watch researchers test different building materials, which connects perfectly to lessons on reinforcing structures to protect the Pacific Northwest.
Today's fishing trip is a hands-on way to wrap up the unit on raising and releasing salmon fry. Students researched river ecosystems and created a large mural to show the difference between healthy habitats and the dangers to salmon habitat. Teachers also spent time on the cultural side of things, looking at the deep connection Native American tribes have with salmon and the history of Celilo Falls before the Dalles Dam was built.
Mrs. Surerus applied for and won a grant from Marion County Soil and Water to cover the costs of bus transportation for these great field trips.
