Nets, Tweezers, and Balls Spur Student Research
On a recent spring morning, a group of about-to-graduate Upper School seniors and an enthusiastic fifth-grade class set off on a field trip, armed with ice cube trays, tweezers, nets, thermometers, and Ping-Pong balls (!), among other things.
Despite the difference in grade levels, the joint activity at a small stream near an industrial park not far from campus tied perfectly into the science curriculum at both levels—and contributed to a statewide stewardship program for Missouri’s waterways. The seniors are enrolled in the Field and Natural History course, which focuses on the study of local plants and animals and earns them credit at both the Upper School and Principia College. The fifth graders’ science curriculum is introducing them to natural systems and interactions, including those in wetland environments.
This resourceful learning partnership between the students is rooted in the working partnership between two Principia science teachers—Upper School’s Lynne Scott and Lower School’s Mary Jane Hoff—who are strong proponents of the purposeful and practical application of scientific principles. In this case, the information collected by Principia students is reported to the Missouri Stream Team initiative, a citizen-led conservation and protection effort. “The project fits perfectly with both our curricula, so it’s a natural way to provide an authentic experience in an aquatic environment,” says Scott.
At the stream, the students split up into teams led by the upper schoolers and waded through ankle deep water along the same streambed they had visited in the fall. They seemed to know exactly what to do as they went about observing, measuring, counting, and identifying a wide range of data.
The nets, tweezers, and ice cube trays were perfect for capturing, sorting, and identifying tiny insects, fish, and reptile life—such as damsel flies, roly polys, and tubifex worms (which were all later released unharmed). The thermometer, of course, was used to measure water temperature.
And those Ping-Pong balls? They were used to measure stream flow, a combination of water velocity and volume. The younger students floated the balls down a specific distance at different points along a cross-section of the stream, timing each try. The older students recorded that data, applied a coefficient to account for the type of streambed (rocks, pebbles, sand, mud), and then calculated the average flow for that section of the stream.
Amid the excited chatter and a bit of splashing, it was clear that the students were relishing the experience. According to one senior, the Field and Natural History course “is very challenging, but I like that it’s so hands-on with activities like this.” From nearby, her fifth-grade teammate chimed in, “And I love learning about science outside!” From there, the two of them went on to join the rest of the group for the last few minutes of trash pickup, which resulted in two full garbage bags being collected.
“Having the Upper and Lower School students work together allows the students to put into practice what they have been learning," Scott observes. "Upper schoolers are able to serve as teachers, helping younger students think through concepts. This partnership has provided rich opportunity for character development.”
Hoff agrees that the learning goes far beyond the scientific skills and knowledge gained. “Through the example of the older students,” she notes, “lower schoolers get to see what it’s like to be a good leader and a counselor.”