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Snakes, insects and amphibians, oh my

Schoolchildren study forest, water during 'Science Day'

By Jonathan L'Ecuyer
Staff Writer
Published: September 30, 2008

Snakes, yellow-spotted salamanders and dragonfly nymphs were just a few of the creatures discovered by fourth- and fifth-graders in a forested parcel of land behind Rockport Elementary School yesterday during the school’s first Science Day.

"I liked trying to find the insects," said 10-year-old Meghan Aiello. "I found one that was almost a dragonfly."

Instituted by Principal Shawn Maguire and funded by the Rockport Education Foundation, Science Day was designed to infuse more science into the building by getting students and teachers outside.

"It's been a great day, it's gone as smooth as I would've expected," Maguire said. "It created the purpose I wanted — excitement about science."

Maguire worked together with Larry Chambers, program coordinator for Boston University's Sargent Center for Outdoor Education, to design areas where students could learn to use a compass, make observations in both New England forest and aquatic environments, collect data on air temperature and rainfall amounts and input that data into a computer; only the computer activity was indoors.

"This is a new endeavour for us," said Chambers, whose center usually plays host to students from across New England through its camp located in northern New Hampshire. "Sometimes (teachers) are so busy inside that they don't realize an educational gold mine is right outside. It gets kids excited about science and hopefully opens teachers' eyes."

Chambers told Maguire one veteran teacher told him she had no idea the woods and pond were just behind the school. Another teacher said, "I have so many ideas now, I can't sleep."

The schoolchildren were divided into groups of seven to 10 to ensure the activities would be a hands-on experience for each and every student, Maguire said.

"It's fun to be here on the property, all we need for this lesson is a puddle of mud," said Sargent youth instructor Kendra Totman. "Hopefully (Rockport students) can come up to the camp, soon."

The town-owned Rowe Woods parcel was the epicenter of a majority of the day's activities. Maguire said Town Administrator Michael Racicot was very supportive of Science Day and encouraged the school to use the parcel for educational purposes.

"It's encouraging the town was so supportive," Maguire added.

Maguire, who added science centers at various locations inside the school almost immediately upon arriving in the district last year, said Science Day was the first event of a pilot "scientist-in-residence" program, funded by the Rockport Education Foundation.

"Without them, we would've never been able to do this," he said, adding there will be more events to follow, including a similar day in the spring with Sargent staff designed for the school's first- through third-graders.

Chambers said the activities were targeted for fourth- and fifth-graders and almost each one called on the students to use their math, writing and reading skills as well.

Fifth-grader Stephen Grier said he too found a "half-grown dragonfly" but added working with the compass was his favorite part of the day; he hoped for another science day soon.

With Maguire at the helm, Stephen should feel confident he will get that wish.

Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.

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