9/23 - Day Six = Travel Day
Today is the last day of our time in Acadia National Park. We got up super early to drive back to the airport in Bangor. It is sad to say goodbye to this lovely place, and my new friends - but I am also excited to get back to Kealing to share everything that I've learned this week!
Today is the last day of our time in Acadia National Park. We got up super early to drive back to the airport in Bangor. It is sad to say goodbye to this lovely place, and my new friends - but I am also excited to get back to Kealing to share everything that I've learned this week!
9/23 - Day 5
Welcome to the Schoodic Institute! This space used to be a secret military base, but was gifted to Acadia National Park around 2002. The officer's quarters have been repurposed into living spaces for visiting scientists, the medical facility has been remodeled into a science lab, and the mess hall is now the cafeteria. There is also a playground and baseball field left over from when families lived here. Now the park has this amazing space for research! The Schoodic Institute is a non-profit that works hand-in hand with the National Park and is the center for all of the amazing science work that is being done in the park. We were able to work with 7 different scientist during our stay here in Schoodic.
Welcome to the Schoodic Institute! This space used to be a secret military base, but was gifted to Acadia National Park around 2002. The officer's quarters have been repurposed into living spaces for visiting scientists, the medical facility has been remodeled into a science lab, and the mess hall is now the cafeteria. There is also a playground and baseball field left over from when families lived here. Now the park has this amazing space for research! The Schoodic Institute is a non-profit that works hand-in hand with the National Park and is the center for all of the amazing science work that is being done in the park. We were able to work with 7 different scientist during our stay here in Schoodic.
9/22 - Day Five of Acadia National Park:
Hello from Acadia Park on a most special day - the Fall Equinox. I am going to have 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness here in Maine. And, you are going to have 12 hours of daylight and darkness too! Today was our day for an outing. We were going to go sea kayaking, but unfortunately, the winds and waves here are too big to go safely. Instead, we got to do several other fun activities. We went to the main part of Acadia National which is 4mi across the bay, but took us an hour and a half to drive there since we had to take the roads that go up and along the coast. We hiked for a few hours, which was really fun!
9/22 Day 5 Cadillac Mountain
Early Afternoon After our hike, we drove up to Cadillac Mountain to see the amazing view, Cadillac Mountain is a top visitor destination within Acadia National Park, and is very congested with vehicles and people trying to see the park. This is a very common problem within the National Park System. Overcrowding stresses the park infrastructure, causes damage to the park lands, and takes away from the visitor's enjoyment of the park experience. Several National Parks, like Denali NP in Alaska, and Zion NP in Utah have made their space CARS FREE as a way to address this issue. |
9/22 Hawk Watch
On the top of Cadillac Mountain we met up with a great group called Hawk Watch. Hawk Watch is an organization that monitors hawks, and other raptors (predatory birds, like falcons and eagles, and HAWKS!) as they migrate. It is important to track these birds as they migrate so that we can learn more about their behavior and track their population numbers. Hawk Watch has 300 monitoring locations along the major migration corridors where National Park staff, biologists, and local volunteers collect data as hawks fly overhead. Check out Hawk Count to find out how many hawks were seen in Acadia National Park today. www.hawkcount.org You can also look check out the Hawk Watch website to find a Hawk Watch monitoring event or site near us if you want to get involved.
https://hawkwatch.org/
MissionThe mission of Hawk Watch International is to conserve our environment through education, long-term monitoring, and scientific research on raptors as indicators of ecosystem health.
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VolunteersDuring peak migration times, volunteers will be at the monitoring sites on a daily basis to collect data. Way to go citizen scientists!
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Sharp Shinned HawkLook at this great photo of a sharp shinned hawk that was taken by a Hawk Watch Volunteer. Cool!
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9/22 - Day Five
For our last night in Acadia National Park - the great JASON Argonauts have a fun night for us. We ate an amazing lobster dinner. These lobsters were caught just this morning. Wow! This was a first time experience for me and it was super fun and super yum. We also had a campfire where we played games, talked about the big moments from the expedition, and had s'mores. We were all awarded nicknames. My nickname is George, as in Curious George, because I am curious and ask so many questions. Ha! True. This has been a great group of students and teachers to work with - and I am just impressed with how much we did and and how much we learned this week!!!!! And! on our way back to our dorms, we saw this cool spider catch a moth for its dinner. Another wow moment!
9/21 - Day Four of Seas to Trees Data Collection
Early Morning
Today we got started bright and early! We met at 5:30am in the classroom to gather our materials, and to go over the safety protocols. The surf is really high right now from Hurricane Jose, so you have to watch out for rogue waves - which are huge waves that form when several smaller waves combine (this is called constructive interference). We got to the intertidal zone at 6:15am for low tide, which allows us to explore parts of the beach that are normally under water. In this survey, we are looking for an invasive crab species called the Green Crab. Once you find a green crab, you measure its size, identify its sex, and determine its molting phase. I love the intertidal zone!
Early Morning
Today we got started bright and early! We met at 5:30am in the classroom to gather our materials, and to go over the safety protocols. The surf is really high right now from Hurricane Jose, so you have to watch out for rogue waves - which are huge waves that form when several smaller waves combine (this is called constructive interference). We got to the intertidal zone at 6:15am for low tide, which allows us to explore parts of the beach that are normally under water. In this survey, we are looking for an invasive crab species called the Green Crab. Once you find a green crab, you measure its size, identify its sex, and determine its molting phase. I love the intertidal zone!
9/21 - Mid-Morning Phenology Walk
Phenology: nature’s calendar: phenology is the timing of life cycle events, for example: when plants first bloom, birds migrate, and insects hatch.
Today we went on a really fun and important hike through the woods of Acadia National Park, called a Phenology Walk. On a Phenology Walk, you monitor several plants along the path. You are watching the plant as it changes throughout its lifecycle. Knowing what and when things are happening in a local ecosystem is a really important part of understanding the bigger implications of climate change.
Let's make a Phenology Walk at Kealing!
Phenology: nature’s calendar: phenology is the timing of life cycle events, for example: when plants first bloom, birds migrate, and insects hatch.
Today we went on a really fun and important hike through the woods of Acadia National Park, called a Phenology Walk. On a Phenology Walk, you monitor several plants along the path. You are watching the plant as it changes throughout its lifecycle. Knowing what and when things are happening in a local ecosystem is a really important part of understanding the bigger implications of climate change.
Let's make a Phenology Walk at Kealing!
Go on a WalkGo on a walk! phenology walk could be through the woods of Acadia National Park, around the schoolyard, in your neighborhood, or even a simple walk around your home.
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Targeted PlantsA phenology walk focuses on just a few plants along your path. Every time you walk your path, you will closely observe any changes that you see within your targeted plants, such as leaf size, or flower distribution. The more often you walk your path, the more familiar you will become with your plants and how they are changing with the seasons.
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DocumentOn a phenology walk it is important to document the changes that you see within your plants. You can then share this information with scientists through apps like Project Bud Burst, or Nature's Notebook. This information can help scientists identify and document changes that are occurring within a specific species, or region.
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9/21 - AFTERNOON & EVENING of DAY FOUR:
This afternoon we did a second round of work on the insect project. We conducted the Caterpillars Count project in its second test site. We also went to our second test site for the berry observations and collected the insect traps that we had left there. Then! We spend the late afternoon in the lab identifying and documenting the insects from our traps. We weren't able to finish the final set of samples, so we stored the soapy, buggy samples in the Fridge of Science. Then we had dinner, and our nightly meeting. This makes for a fun and full day!
This afternoon we did a second round of work on the insect project. We conducted the Caterpillars Count project in its second test site. We also went to our second test site for the berry observations and collected the insect traps that we had left there. Then! We spend the late afternoon in the lab identifying and documenting the insects from our traps. We weren't able to finish the final set of samples, so we stored the soapy, buggy samples in the Fridge of Science. Then we had dinner, and our nightly meeting. This makes for a fun and full day!
- *Today, I have taken 14,483 steps.
- *Today I ate 6 times. (first breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, snack, snack with coffee, and dinner & dessert)
- *Today, I have been awake for 18 hours.
- *This week, I talked to 6 different scientists about their work.
9/21 - Day Four Favorite Pics!
DAY THREE!!!
9/20 - 8am This morning we learned about some amazing tools that people use to collect biodiversity data of an area. Everyday people, like you and me, can take a photos of birds, plants, or insects - and upload these photos to help scientists if changes are occurring. For example, scientists can look at this data and determine if a flower is blooming earlier in a particular region, or if a plant is in a new place. We can all get involved in increasing knowledge about our changing environment - and that is called citizen science. Check out this great app called iNaturalist. It's super cool! We'll be using iNaturalist during the Texas Pollinator BioBlitz>
iNaturalist
9/20 - 8am This morning we learned about some amazing tools that people use to collect biodiversity data of an area. Everyday people, like you and me, can take a photos of birds, plants, or insects - and upload these photos to help scientists if changes are occurring. For example, scientists can look at this data and determine if a flower is blooming earlier in a particular region, or if a plant is in a new place. We can all get involved in increasing knowledge about our changing environment - and that is called citizen science. Check out this great app called iNaturalist. It's super cool! We'll be using iNaturalist during the Texas Pollinator BioBlitz>
iNaturalist
9/20 Morning - Day Three of Seas to Trees Data Collection: Today we were really busy working on two different insect surveys - which is also a focus of the Seas to Trees Project. The first project we worked on is called Caterpillars Count - which was really fun! It is important to study the insect population of the park to see what is available for the birds to eat before they migrate south for the winter.
Caterpillars Count: This project has 20 trees within its test sites, and each tree has ONE branch that you collect data on. You have to look very closely to find all of the insects on this branch.
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Use a dichotomous key to help identify each bug's species, and record this information onto the data shee.
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It is really important to not touch the branch during your survey because you don't want to knock any insects off the branch. Do you see a huge caterpillar on this branch? I bet a bird would love to eat that caterpillar!
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9/20 - Afternoon
Our Second Insect Project of the day is called BES, or Birds Eat Stuff. Ha! We went back to the testing sites where we had put out insect traps, and we collected all of the things that had gotten trapped in the soapy water. Birds need both berries AND insects as food sources to stock up on reserves before they begin to migrate. It may take a bird 3 or more months to find their winter breeding grounds in the south - so they will need to eat a lot before they go!
Our Second Insect Project of the day is called BES, or Birds Eat Stuff. Ha! We went back to the testing sites where we had put out insect traps, and we collected all of the things that had gotten trapped in the soapy water. Birds need both berries AND insects as food sources to stock up on reserves before they begin to migrate. It may take a bird 3 or more months to find their winter breeding grounds in the south - so they will need to eat a lot before they go!
9/19- Day Two of Seas to Trees Data Collection:
Morning Today we got an early start on our data collection. We were working on at a site called the Alder Trail which also had 10 net lines, each with 10 sub plots. So - that's 100 different collection spots! It rained for a big part of our day - but we all had rain gear, and it never got very cold. We didn't let the rain bother us! We continued to collect our data and even had a great lunch in the field. |
9/18 - Day ONE of Data Collection for Seas to Trees
Today is our first big day in Acadia National Park. In the morning, we learned about climate change. I learned that spring occurs almost a month earlier in the park, and that many new plants are moving into the park since the temperatures are warming. The project we'll be working on this week is focused on phenology, or the timing of plant and animal life cycles. We'll be collecting data to find out if migrating birds will find enough berries and insects to eat in order to fuel their journey South for the winter. Birds need to eat insects AND berries - but many plants are putting out their berries earlier in the season before the birds have migrated through.
Did you know that areas on the edge of a climate zone are more dramatically affected by climate change? Islands, the Arctic, and places along the coast are experiencing more noticeable changes than other areas. |
Tools of the Trade |
We will be counting the berries of 8 different species of plants. Before we head out into the field, we practice identifying Mountain Holly, Wild Rasin, Black Huckleberry, and a fragrant plant called Northern Bay Berry. |
9/18 - We had a very busy afternoon collecting data. There are 10 testing areas called net lines, and each of these areas is divided into 10 smaller plots. The plots are not easy to get to since they are not on a true path. You have to push your way through the willy wogs (a brushy area) to get to your plot. Once at your plot, you determine what plant species are in the plot. Each plot is a 2x1 meter space. Today we mostly saw Wild Raisin, Huckle Berry, Holly, and Bayberry - which are four of our eight targeted plant species (or the plants being monitored in this project). Now comes the fun part! For each species, you count ALL of the ripe berries, past ripe berries, and under ripe berries. It takes a long time to count all the berries on a bush! We also set out insect traps, which we will return to collect later on in the week. We are having FUN with Phenology!
9/17 @ 9:30pm - Day ONE: SUNDAY
We've had a full day of travel to reach our destination. I'm happy to be here in Maine! And I am happy to meet the great group of teachers and students that I'll be working with this week. Go team! Tomorrow we will be heading out into the field bright and early to get started on our project.
We've had a full day of travel to reach our destination. I'm happy to be here in Maine! And I am happy to meet the great group of teachers and students that I'll be working with this week. Go team! Tomorrow we will be heading out into the field bright and early to get started on our project.
9/17 - 6:15 am. SUNDAY -- travel day
Wow! It's travel day! I can't believe that it's actually time to leave for Acadia National Park. I've got my notebook, hiking boots, water bottle, jacket, bug spray, and sense of adventure - I'm ready! My travel companion, a 9th grader from Anderson, and I have arrived to the airport for our early morning flight.
Wow! It's travel day! I can't believe that it's actually time to leave for Acadia National Park. I've got my notebook, hiking boots, water bottle, jacket, bug spray, and sense of adventure - I'm ready! My travel companion, a 9th grader from Anderson, and I have arrived to the airport for our early morning flight.
9/15 - It has been a VERY BUSY week getting everything ready to go, but I think I am ready! I am also very, very, very, very, very excited to head off to Acadia National Park with JASON Learning. A big thanks to Alex from my CSI Kealing class who gave me a GoPro lesson, and to my A4 class for helping me practice my GoPro Skills. Thanks!
9/8 - 9 day countdownMy students have been coming up with pictures and videos they would like me to collect during my trip. One students wants a picture of a rock, and one student wants a picture of a rock with moss on it. :) We have been talking about Leave No Trace - which means that I will be careful not to leave anything like trash behind, and will leave nature in its place. I will not be bringing students rocks back from Acadia National Park because I want the park to remain wild and unaltered by people. Students also have great questions that they want me to answer while on my trip. Students want to know how often we'll be able to call home, and how much time we'll be spending outside each day. Great questions!
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9/6
Thanks JASON for the great gear!Yesterday, I got this great box full of gear from JASON. Water bottles, a great journal, t-shirts, and an awesome backpack. I am feeling more prepared for my trip.
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This is how I look.I am getting ready for my big adventure - packing my bags, putting together lessons, and finding my hiking boots.
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This is how I feel.Oh my gosh! I am so excited!
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9/4 - Today I did some research on climate change and found some really great resources for kids - a video of Bill Nye the Science Guy explaining climate change, and a NASA web page that explains climate change. I also learned more about the Texas Pollinator BioBlitz, and am really excited to get the student of Kealing MS involved! I am excited to use this learning adventure as catalyst for getting my students involved in citizen science. Day 13 count down.
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Hello from McD!9/2 - I am getting really excited about my upcoming learning adventure to Acadia National Park. This weekend, I created my weebly blog page so that I can keep students involved in my travels to Acadia National Park. I also figured out how to take video footage with the BEST toy (sorry, tool!) ever- a GoPro. Thanks AISD Science! Now I need to figure out how to edit and post my videos. This weekend, I am also going to meet my fellow AISD travel companion - a 9th grade student from Anderson High School. This is getting REAL! and real exciting!
15 day countdown. |