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Environmental science teaches nature's way

By Sandy Mouat
CORRESPONDENT

The air is brisk and the sky overcast, as students of the new environmental science class at Acalanes High School gather at their outdoor venue, a serene setting of benches-in-the-round and worktables.
The class was developed with a grant from the Lafayette Arts & Science Foundation. Offered as a new elective this year, it is an interdisciplinary course that helps students apply what they have learned in biology, geology, and chemistry in a real world context. The campus is their living laboratory.
          The task of research, writing the curriculum, and obtaining school board approval was undertaken by Acalanes science teacher Janet Thomas. The University of California has approved the class for its science requirements.
          "I think environmental science provides students with an effective opportunity to understand the real-life integration of concepts they've already learned in previous science courses," Thomas says. "The fact that we meet regularly outdoors has allowed students to get to know the plants and animals of the area, as well as processes particular to the riparian or creek-side environment."
           On this day, the fallen leaves that provide the crisp seasonal sound of crunching underfoot are used to investigate and illustrate a lesson in humus decomposition. Several biodegradable products, including a wide variety of everyday food items, are mixed with the leaves and placed into containers to interact and breakdown together. This is a supplemental lab for their study of the layers of soil.
          With their "lab experiments" left to follow the laws of nature in due course, the students take seats on the benches to discuss both natural and man-made environmental problems all over the world. Current topics, brought by the students, range from the fact that pesticides are the biggest pollution factor affecting water quality, to the impact of the infestation of the Mexican fruit fly, and how it has caused farmers to sell their land to developers. Student Noah Lorenzana brought up the subject of global warming, which gave Thomas an idea for a future classroom experiment to further study the subject.
          Enthusiastic students praise the class. "I'm very excited to have the opportunity to take this class," says Valerie Love, a senior. "I plan to continue to study environmental science in college, and this is a great opportunity to get some earlier experience."
          Allison Shiozaki, another senior, echoed Valerie's enthusiasm, adding, "I'm glad to be able to examine and discuss these environmental issues because they are, and will be, very important for my generation. We refer to these issues in just about every class, but here we can explore them more in depth."
          Thomas says that the class benefits from a more hands-on approach to instruction. "Along with reading and discussing the textbook material and current events, we view some excellent contemporary videos, hear from guest speakers about their work and do hands-on environmental lab analysis and simulation. The mix of activities tends to make the class interesting and thus far student response has been positive," she says.
          The classes have worked with Lafayette Friends of the Creek and Contra Costa County in learning how to use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to map their creek area. In October, students participated in the mapping of the creek. In the spring they will begin annual monitoring of water quality at three sites along the creek. With the help of a consultant, they are also developing a nature trail which would be available to all biology classes.
          Some of the students have participated in SF Bay restoration projects and evening chatrooms with experts through Earthteam, a network of high school students in the Bay Area.
"A major theme of the course is sustainability, which means using only as much as one needs without depleting the biosphere of resources for future generations," Thomas says. "We take time weekly to share current events, and in reflecting on these events, students are beginning to form their own opinions and look at strategies which will help them live more sustainably and work toward creating a more sustainable community."
          Senior Andy Somers also plans to continue the study of environmental issues in college, and says he particularly enjoys the quiet reflection time among the trees. He adds, "Ms. Thomas is a great teacher, who really cares about giving her students these kinds of educational opportunities. I don't think any other teacher would have gone through all of the work she did to get this class going for us." All students within earshot joined in a chorus of agreement about their appreciation of Thomas' efforts.
          "It is a very worthwhile class because we learn about current environmental issues and how they affect the world," says Brittany Griffin. Senior Kimberlee Gormand agreed, and adds, "It's great to be able to go outside once a week, to see first hand what we have been studying. I really enjoy experiencing the changes in the environment with the changes of the seasons."
          Student Ian Watson enjoys the higher level challenge of the textbook, and David Kolman-Leland commented on the benefits afforded the students by "getting in touch with nature".
         Thomas agrees. "Set under one of the most beautiful oak trees in Lamorinda, in a vital riparian setting away from the noise of the road and other classes, this outdoor classroom is a perfect adjunct to the normal classroom and a place where learning about the environment happens very naturally."

01/08/03 Reprinted with permission. Visit the Contra Costa Times on the web at www.contracostatimes.com.

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