FIELD ECOLOGY CLASS HAS STUDENTS STUDYING THE OUTDOORS

·     Adopt-A-Beach Study and Clean-up (6-13-12): Students participated in the Adopt-a-Beach program, sponsored by the Alliance for the Great Lakes.  The results collected by the students were sent to the Alliance for tabulation and publication.  Speakers from Northeast Ohio Sewer District spoke to the students about the water quality of Lake Erie.

·     Geology Program, Cuyahoga Valley National Park (6-14-12): The students were led on a hike through the Virginia Kendall Ledges while learning the background of the geology of the area.  Afterwards, students conducted a forest study using a random sampling technique to determine the composition of trees in the upland forest.   The students then sampled the soil and performed chemical analyses to determine the nutrient content.  These results were used to write the second scientific paper, comparing this coniferous forest to a deciduous forest found in the Rocky River Reservation.

·     Forest Study, Rocky River Reservation (6-15-12): Students repeated the techniques learned in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the deciduous forest of Rocky River Reservation.  The students then cooked their own dinners over a bonfire (a first for many of the students)!  The evening ended with a hike of the area culminating in a view overlooking the two branches of the Rocky River as the sun set.

·     Case Western Reserve Farm (6-18-12):  Students conducted a study of four phases of succession at the farm.  Professor James Bader of Case Western University led the students through the day as they explored this farm owned by the university.

·     Stebbins Gulch, Holden Arboretum (6-19-12): Students were led on a hike through Stebbins Gulch, a deep ravine cutting through and exposing millions of years of sedimentary rock. 

·     South Bass Island (6-20-12): Students began by meeting Kristen Stanford of Ohio State University who has researched and coordinated the recovery of the Lake Erie water snake.  They learned some of her research techniques and had the opportunity to try to catch, record, and release some of these snakes.  Later students went on a walk on a wildflower trail and later toured Crystal Cave, learning about the geology of the Lake Erie Isalnds.

·     Floating Water Lab, Hinckley Lake (6-21-12): Students conducted chemical tests and macroinvertebrate surveys to analyze the water quality of Hinckley Lake.  Program was conducted by Sharon Hosko, Nature Center Manager, Cleveland Metroparks.

·     Final Exam and Proposal Writing (6-22-12): Students reviewed together and individually completed the course final exam.  They used the remaining time to complete their two  research papers. 

Students had a wonderful two weeks and learned a great deal about the outdoor world around them!  The students came from a variety of backgrounds that is typical of Lakewood High School, and many expressed how much they enjoyed the class and how much of it was brand new to them.  For more photos of the class activities, click here.