Approximately 170, seventh grade students from Hawkins Middle School participated in an environmental hands-on learning experience, Environmental Explorations. HCSEG and The Woodland Park Zoo presented an introduction to Environmental Explorations and the WildWise Program on four separate occasions in school classrooms. Students learned inquiry based wildlife observation skills to prepare them for the all day event at the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center in Belfair. Each student also chose the presentations they would like to attend on event day, May 20th, 2009.
At the event, students participated in the Washington Nature Mapping Program for the first half of the day. They separated into small groups. Each group was accompanied by trained field mentors represented by 12 community members and 12 groups of two high school students from the Hood Canal Institute (wetland classroom). These mentors provided guidance with wildlife ID and habitat associations. Students used their new skills of inquiry and observation to examine the wildlife and features of the land close to the Union River.
The second half of the event featured formal presentations and interactive stations. Each highlighted the value and preservation of the Hood Canal Watershed and beyond. Professionals from local and regional organizations volunteered to teach at each station. They providing project based learning activities that students took part in, and discussed. The event stations included "Carbon for Lunch"(Carbon foot printing), "Amazing Art"(Pastel Art), "Water Wonderers"(phytoplankton) , "Bug Safari"( bugs around the watershed and world), "Bonic Bats", "Exciting Estuaries"( a food web game), "Amazing Birds" (local bird ecology) and "Stream Fun" (stream ecology).
Environmental Explorations was successful due to over 50 volunteers and supporting organizations which included The Seattle Bug Safari, Department of Ecology, Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, HCSEG, The Theler Wetlands Community Center, Kitsap Bank, Pacific Shellfish Institute, Woodland Park Zoo, and the North Mason Hood Canal Institute.