Back in the Bayou! Wetland Watchers 8th Graders Start Off THis Year’s Service-Learning Trips!
The Hurst Middle Wetland Watchers were back in action recently as 135 8th grade students used Wetland Watchers Park as a setting for activities focused on geography, history, math, language arts, and science. As a service-learning project, students participate activities where they are meeting required academics standards as well as helping to improve our community and the environment. Students will use some of the information gained to create interpretive signage for the Wetland Watchers Park boardwalk. During the school year, students also share the knowledge they are learning from experts at University of New Orleans PIES, Dow, and Motiva to share with younger students across the region.
Hurst 8th graders (L-R) Justin P., Cody H., Jennifer P., and Tyrie P. observe the remnants of a 1200 year old Native American shell midden as part of their GPS Louisiana History cache station during a recent Wetland Watchers Service-Learning trip.
Hurst 8th grader Anthony H. compares a 1915 map that includes the towns of LaBranche, Wagram, and Frenier along the shore of Lake Pontchartrain with the current view of the shoreline. The group also read a survivor’s account from the 1915 hurricane that washed away all of the shoreline communities listed on the map.
Hurst 8th grader Chandler A. compares overlays of maps from 1956 to current shoreline maps to determine the percent of land loss during that period of time. The students participated in the activity on land that was rebuilt to the 1976 shoreline through the efforts of Norco resident Milton Cambre. Students began the activity facilitated by UNO-PIES Educator Dinah Maygarden and was completed in the students math classes.
UNO-PIES educator Heather Egger leads students through a guided imagery activity using a journal written by a carpenter that accompanied Iberville on his explorations throughout the LaBranche region between 1699 and 1721. The students sat along the boardwalk surrounded by palmetto trees ranging in age from 100 – 400 years old, some of which may have been there when the French explorers came through the area.
UNO-PIES educator DInah Maygarden leads a group in a percentage of land loss activity comparing the land they are on right now with maps from 1956.
PErcentage of land loss station - working hard!
Enjoying the lunch break!
Lunch picnic!!!!
Mr. Folse helps steer a group in the right direction using their GPS during the Louisiana History GPS Cache.
Students must work together as the major components of a habitat must to succeed!
Motiva volunteer, Mr. Mark, facilitates a station concerning soil hydration levels.
Dow Volunteer, Mr. JT, teaches students how to use their GPS to find the hidden Louisiana History Caches.