Activities

In the Classroom

Fall Semester
Joel Abraham, Jennifer Skene, and undergraduate Natalie Valencia have been visiting Ms. Peg Dabel and Mr. John Eby's classrooms each week throughout the fall semester. For the first few weeks, students learned how scientists make observations and hypotheses. The students were oologists — scientists who study eggs — as they closely observed the structure of chicken eggs. The students then took their observation skills outside, where they learned how to take field notes (pdf) and observe and draw plants. After the students had mastered these skills and became true field biologists, their new challenge was to learn about the biodiversity at Adams Middle School. The students made several trips to their schoolyard, where they collected insects using a variety of netting techniques, and collected and pressed plant specimens. Later, the students became entomologists when they learned about the different insect orders, and identified and pinned their insect specimens. The students also curated the plant specimens.

Field Notes handout (pdf)

Field Trips

Hastings Fieldtrip 1, November 4-6, 2005: Students from Ms. Dabel's class traveled to Hastings Natural History Reservation to collect insects, plants, and signs of vertebrates.

Hastings Fieldtrip 2, December 2-4, 2005: Students from Mr. Eby's class traveled to Hastings Natural History Reservation to collect insects, plants, and signs of vertebrates.

May 13th Celebration: In celebration of their year's achievements, the students of Adams Middle School prepared PowerPoint presentations and posters representing the activities of the year. Students shared field trip experiences and results of school projects. We thank Peg Dabel, John Eby, and their students for a wonderful year.

Previous Years

2004-2005 AMS activities