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Wetlands Classroom
Cooler temperatures lead to better educational opportunities
For more than ten years, the Las Vegas Wash Project Coordination Team has partnered with Mabel Hoggard Math and Science Magnet School to introduce fifth graders to the Wash. This educational outreach program is a continually evolving process and has been tremendously successful, with more than 30 classes and 1,200 students brought to the Wash acting as “scientists for a day.”
In 2006, an additional educational tool was used with the students - a stocked “reconnaissance backpack.” Each backpack was filled with a custom field notebook, binoculars, scissors, tape, a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, pH strips and gloves. By providing the students with the actual tools that scientists use in the field while conducting biological and water quality investigations, they were able to gain tangible scientific experience.
This year, Wash Team members have worked to improve this experience by enhancing backpacks with a better quality binocular, revising the curriculum and increasing time spent with students. Starting in November, students will spend twice as much time with scientists which will greatly improve the learning experience.
During field trips, Mabel Hoggard students will conduct actual water quality sampling with staff hydrologists. But this year, students will be divided into two groups and spend a day at the Wash as well as a day on the Forever Earth boat at Lake Mead.
Students are expected to handle and use technical equipment such as electrical conductivity meters and participate in a nature walk in which they are taught to identify several species of plants and animal tracks along the way. Simple herbarium collections of various plants and plant parts also are made while on the nature walk.
Training also is provided on the GPS and students are expected to use the GPS units to navigate to areas of interest and collect coordinate information for biological resources. During their time on the boat, students also are trained to identify several species of macroinvertebrates and why they are important to understanding water quality.
Learn more about educational outreach opportunities at the Wash.