7th graders Jeremy Monroy and Matt Perea (left hand photo) and Delaney Rauch, Dignora Espinal, Shelby Demanski and Nicole Berreondo (right hand photo) explore pond ecology at Alton Jones by taking samples from the pond and examining the plants and animals in the pond, including tad pols, bullfrogs, and salamander eggs.
Seventh graders came to school on a recent Thursday with bags packed and spirits high. Students were prepared – and over packed! – for the annual overnight field trip to URI’s W. Alton Jones Environmental Education Center. Two days of learning, exploring, and team building awaited them.
Students split into field groups led by Alton Jones counselors, and shortly after arrival students were exploring the trails of the wooded West Greenwich campus. One group headed for a pond, using nets to collect and observe the flora and fauna of the wetland ecosystem. Others devised strategies and collaborated to conquer the challenges of a low-ropes course.
At night, counselors led students through the woods on a night hike where students learned about nocturnal animals and bio-luminescence. After a night of fun (and little sleep) in the cabins, they headed back to the woods for more field work and exploration.
The overnight trip, for many students the first time away from home without their families, was funded by a grant from The Island Foundation.