Published: May 09, 2008 09:06 pm            

Dawson students SOAR to new heights

The students of Dawson Elementary School were treated to a day of science during the second annual Science Outdoors Activity Ride (SOAR) program which took place April 25 at Navarro Mills Lake.

The day was designed to put science into action. For the third through fifth graders, the day began in the school cafeteria with a program presented by Navarro County 4-H. The group was informed about nutrition by Virginia Mays, speaking to the students about “My Pyramid,” and Paula Butler discussing fruits and vegetables. From there the students loaded on buses and traveled to Wolf Creek Park for five different science stations manned by park rangers, teachers, and parents.

Station One, “What Was Dinner?,” reviewed food chains, food webs, prey, and predators. In this station, students dissected owl pellets and identified any bones found in the pellets. Station Two, “Certainly, It is a Circuit,” reminded the students about electric safety, conductors/insulators, and how to build different electric circuits. At this area, each group was able to experiment and design their own working circuits. In Station Three, “Simple Machines,” the students discussed the different types of simple machines and learned by hands-on activities that machines do make work easier. Tree rings were the topic of Station Four which was called “Treemendous Trees.” By far the most-loved station was Station Five, “For a Real Good Time Spend a Day with a Good Reel.” This station was held at the fishing pier. Here each child spent approximately 20 minutes fishing. (Several fathers spent their day baiting hooks and untangling line.) Another 20 minutes was spent with a visiting park ranger, Julia Hopson, who lead a presentation about fish habitat, lures/bait, and safety while fishing. The group enjoyed lunch which had been prepared on the grill at the pavilion by a group of wonderful volunteers. It was an awesome day which prepared the students for the science TAKS test.

Sixth grade also enjoyed a day of science, but they followed a little different schedule. This group started their day at the fishing pier where they learned about fish habitat and then tried their hand at fishing. From there they returned to the elementary school. During the day the students participated in a variety of activities which included an interactive online knee replacement surgery, and each student dissected a cow’s eye and owl pellets. The class even practiced being crime scene investigators as they used their math and science skills to solve a traffic accident.

At the end of the day, everyone declared the day of SOAR a success. The proof was in talking to the children and hearing the excitement in their voices as they described each station.

        

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