Jared Sexton, Caden Johnson, and Aaron Powers study a water sample.

Taylor Yoder, Sydnee Hrachovina, and Ella Acton are all smiles on a cold May morning.

Day on the Bay
OCS Students Board the Inland Seas

By student authors
Sydnee Hrachovina, Colleen McCarthy, Emma Niederstadt, and Alliyiah Torrey

L to R: Colleen McCarthy, Alliyiah Torrey, Sydnee Hrachovina, and Emma Niederstadt

Although it was a cold, wet, and blustery day out on the water, nothing could dampen the spirits of the Fifth Grade students of Onekama School. On Thursday, May 23, the students and their teachers, Bonnie Brown and Sally Catanese, took a field trip to the Inland Seas Education Center in Suttons Bay.

The goal of The Inland Seas Education Association is to work with students to protect the Great Lakes through education, so that they will become lifelong stewards of Michigan’s natural resources.

Students started the day by boarding the schooner Inland Seas. Using a tool called an ottertrawl, they collected samples of plankton, water, and sediment. The samples were tested for water quality and health, and the data was entered on a statewide record.

High winds and wet weather did not allow the students to take the boat out on the water, like groups had been able to do in past years, but the day was still packed with opportunities for education and fun.

“I was happy that our guides were able to provide us with a Plan B,” said Brown. “Although we were not able to go out on a Tall Ship tour, they accommodated us by moving us to the education center so we were still able to be a part of the schoolship experience.”

Working in small groups, the students rotated through five learning stations that were run by schoolship volunteers. At the stations, students learned about water chemistry, plankton, sediment and benthos, fish species, and why it is important to be stewards of the Great Lakes.

In addition, students learned the parts of a ship, information about water conservation, facts about waterways, and the dangers of invasive species. Most importantly, they gained greater awareness and sensitivity for the natural world, especially the Great Lakes.

Students left wet, tired, and a bit cold, but nonetheless energized to do their part in their daily lives to protect and preserve the Great Lakes for future generations.

Students have a good look at Suttons Bay aboard the
S.S. Inland Seas.

Onekama fifth graders are ready for a day of adventure.

Justin Zielinski, Travis Read, and Luke Mauntler work with a volunteer to identify fish species.

Dalron Gray and Kolin Cook examine some midge larva.

Students learn about the Great Lakes waterways.

Additional Photos, page 2

Onekama Elementary
2012-2013

On Thursday we went to the tall ship in traverse city. When we got there because of the wind we could not go. So we went to a building with the same stuff on the ship. It was fun, there was a lot of things to do. ~Travis R.

Mrs. Brown's Pages
for 2012-2013
 

www.onekama.k12.mi.us