Completion of Journeys Outdoor School

Our wonderful experience in the great outdoors has come to an end. We concluded by taking our annual tie dye photo of all the campers. We are currently heading back to the classroom to hold our "what was learned" discussion. We always walk away with so many concepts that were learned, focusing on three areas: How have you matured?/What I learned about myself, connections made to the natural world, and scientific concepts I walked away with. Each student will create massive lists on these concepts and then use their lists over the next several weeks to help write a newsletter in Microsoft Word of their learning experience.  An additional copy will be printed out and submitted with our grant report to the Geological Society of Nevada and the NV  Wildlife Record Book Foundation, who made this amazing experience possible. 

The Final Morning

We are packing up and stacking our gear  where the bus wills pick us up. Cabin inspections are taking place. For yesterday, Green Cabin 2 earned the Golden Dustpan for the cleanest cabin. Breakfast begins soon. Our final morning at JOS. 

Upper Level Challenge Course

This afternoon groups put on harnesses and hit the more advanced challenges on the course. 

Mini Challenges

Several groups have already started the mini challenges on the ropes course. These challenges allow students to learn to communicate and listen to each other's ideas. More advanced challenges to occur after lunch, especially for those teams who have learned how to efficiently work well together. 

Day Three Begins

Students appeared to get a better night's sleep last night, resting up to be mentally awake for the challenge course today. Breakfast included chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, sausage, fruit, yogurt, cereal, and oatmeal. A great start to another great day. 

Physics and Geology

This afternoon I was able to hang out with two different groups. One group learned all about the physics doing a slingshot lab. Another group studied plate tectonics, volcanoes and geology. We had great rice crispy treats as a snack in the forest.

Forest Ecology Hike

I had the opportunity to hike with one trail group all morning during their forest ecology hike. We learned some amazing things about plants, erosion, and so much more. One highlight was a recent tree hit by lightning. Another was the Quartz outcrop. 

Beginning of Day Two

Another beautiful day awaits at Journeys Outdoor School. Bright, smiley faces abound from all the campers. They are ready for the day!

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Day One

Day one is nearing the end. Great weather has greeted us well. Students broke into their trail groups mid morning and ventured off to learn about different concepts. From geology, pond ecology, forest ecology, and team building activities, the students are doing great. One highlight came from the group who hiked four miles, as they had the opportunity to eat ants. Those who did were quite proud to say the least. Many sightings of deer have abounded the groups. We are now moving into cabins and have an hour of free time before dinner. 

We Made It

The fun is beginning. 

We are heading to Journeys Outdoor School

One bus loaded with gear and two buses loaded with excited students. We are off on our adventure. 

Pirate Science

Science and math involved pirates as well today. The focus was on calculating density, where students had to use graduated cylinders to find the volume of glass "booty" and then use the formula to find density. Learning that water has a density of 1 g/ml cubed, any density over 1.0 would mean it will sink it water. Applying this concept, students built aluminum boats (density of 2.7) and used the science of making a large surface area to spread out the weight of the foil/booty. Understanding displacement and buoyancy, students created aluminum boats (using exactly 36 sq. inches of foil- 6in. X 6in.)that would hold the most booty. We had two groups break my class record, which stood for over 3 years. Sixty-eight glass beads were held in an aluminum boat made up of only 36 sq. inches!

Talk Like a Pirate Day

A good start to the day, as many privateers and buccaneers showed up ready to learn...pirate fashion. Pirate writing, citing sources occurred in the morning and pirate science and math will take place all afternoon.

Reaction Time Experiment

We combined math and science (again) to work on the concept of calculating mean (average). First, we tested our class reaction time, finding out that an average student in class has a reaction time of 0.454 seconds. Next, each student did an experiment to find their own, personal reaction time. They could then see if they were quicker, about average, or slower then the reaction time of the class.

Science of Tie Dye

We finally got to apply the science topics of chemistry we learned about yesterday to do our tie dye today. Students learned how the soda ash raises the Ph of the shirt and makes the already negatively charged cotton even more negative. This allows the fiber reactive dye, which is positive, to covalently bond. Shirts are sitting in the sun outside to speed up the chemical reaction of the bonding. They will use a special textile detergent to release any dye not bonded in the shirt, ensuring it won't bleed or run in future washes. Science can be so fun....and bright!

Disc Golf

We have finished our first unit of Physical Education. We focused on the sport of disc golf. After learning some basic techniques for throwing a disc (Frisbee), students were introduced to three courses on the playground. Trying to score at or below par, students spent two PE classes completing the three courses.