AP Environmental Science (APES) students are taking a trip to John Bunker Sands Wetlands in Seagovilleon on Wednesday and Thursday for a hands-on experience. As part of their trip, students will test water quality and learn about its environmental impacts.
“The goal of the Wetlands field trip is for students to be able to go to an actual protected wetlands ecosystem and biome and do data analysis of the water quality, the biodiversity, and see how those impact the health of our environment compared to urbanized areas like nearby the school,” APES teacher Gerald Nichols said.
This trip is an exciting opportunity to step outside the classroom and learn in an outdoor setting, something senior Kaitlin George is especially looking forward to.
“I’m really excited for this trip because we get to actually go to the wetlands and it’s going to be fun because we get to collect real data from an actual environment,” George said. “I think a hands-on experience is more effective than a classroom experience because you’re actually doing it and going to the actual place. I think it helps you remember things better and it’s also a cool experience.”
Senior Anita Okorie is also excited about the trip since it connects classroom learning to real life.
“We’re going to the wetlands, and we’re observing aquatic environments, which relates to one of our earlier units,” Okorie said. “We’ve been learning a little about measuring phosphate levels, nitrate levels, and more in water and aquatic habitats, so the field trip relates to that. I’m most excited to spend a day exploring the wetlands with my friends.”
Beyond the fun experience, Nichols hopes the trip will help students recognize the importance of biodiversity and conservation efforts.
“I hope that students will learn how increasing biodiversity really helps solve the issues we see with a lot of our ecosystems having problems,” Nichols said. “And kind of see the value of making sure we keep these really important ecosystems protected so that these wildlife have refuges and places for them to thrive.”
