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Science And Math Can Be Lots Of Fun

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By GINA MASON

Special to the Tribune

Published: December 3, 2008

During the month of November, Cypress Creek Elementary School teachers and staff held Saturday Academies to engage students in the hands-on exploration of science and math.

Teacher Mark Dunn and I coordinated the project, which was aimed at providing children with enjoyable learning experiences that would increase their achievement levels. The activities were designed to give practical application to science knowledge.

For two of the weekends, we partnered with Dolly Cummings, director of Camp Bayou in Ruskin. Camp Bayou provided a wonderful location to hold investigations encompassing our local gopher tortoise populations and water-themed activities.

More than 100 parents drove their children to the camp. The first weekend, students explored gopher tortoise habitats. The gopher tortoise is federally protected as a threatened species, except in Florida, where it is listed as a species of special concern by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

"Because Camp Bayou has been allowed to return to its natural state, gopher tortoises thrive here," Cummings said.

Students learned that the primary food sources of gopher tortoises are low-growing grasses and herbs. Gopher apples, saw palmetto berries and the pads, fruits and flowers of prickly pear cactus are among their favorite foods. The reptiles are extremely long-lived animals with life spans of 40 to 60 years.

During their investigations of the burrows, Cypress Creek students were excited to spot live tortoises. One very calm fellow crawled out of his burrow to let the children get a look at him. Students used GPS units to locate burrows and played games learning about the four requirements of the species: food, shelter, space and water.

The second weekend of science investigations took place at Cypress Creek Elementary. Students studied a variety of activities encompassing explorations in chemical and physical changes in matter, momentum and velocity, the scientific process and standard and nonstandard units of measure.

Students told Principal Lisa Amos they really liked making ice cream and pancakes.

"Their smiles told me how much they appreciated their teachers' giving up their Saturdays for them," Amos said. "We are lucky to have such a hard-working, caring staff here."

Even though the temperatures were chilly during the final weekend, more than 70 students turned out to Camp Bayou. The visit included activities revolving around water investigations. Cummings taught students about water quality and the macro invertebrates that live in the stream running through Camp Bayou. Students were not able to find many "critters" due to the cold water temperatures.

Teacher Carol Dunn's station revolved around the problems we have with pollutants and runoff. Dunn expanded use of the GPS units, and I taught students about the formation of rivers and the importance of knowing the history of the land before adding developments.

Parents were full of praise for the teachers instructing and those who chaperoned. Students and parents alike are looking forward to the next session of Saturday Academy in January.

CALLING ALL TEACHERS

The South Shore News & Tribune welcomes guest columns written by local teachers about interesting classroom activities, teaching methods, field trips, clubs, sports, music and more. For information, contact Lois Kindle at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

Gina Mason is a teacher at Cypress Creek Elementary School in Ruskin.

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