​‘Tis the Season for Science

In this chilly twilight between winter and spring time, Lincoln Elementary students are learning that life can still thrive outdoors.

On February 25, Anne Durbin and Linda Wolfe’s fifth grade classes made an early morning bus trip to Buffalo River State Park to learn about how animals live during the colder months.

Before they set off, though, preparations had to be made.

“The field trip requires that Mrs. Wolfe and I ensure that all students have appropriate winter clothing for an all-day field trip,” said Durbin. “If they don't have appropriate clothing we either find or purchase clothing for them. Mrs. Wolfe and I also provide a lunch for the students of hot dogs, chips, fruit and hot chocolate. Students are required to round up winter clothing, S'mores supplies, roasting sticks, water bottles and a team backpack.”

As part of the Fargo Public Schools curriculum, all students are required to study the relationship between land and water ecosystems. The day at Buffalo affords them an opportunity to get a hands-on experience that the classroom can’t always provide.

“We spent time out in the woods looking for signs of life,” said Wolfe, “and found many different animal tracks, heard different birds, and were really wanting to see deer, but unfortunately we didn't this year.”

Different trips are led to the park at different times of the year, in the fall and the spring.

Ecology wasn’t the only subject of study for the day, though. Another activity the students engaged in was learning how to work a compass.

“The students were given a specific map in which they needed to use their compass to work their way around the wooded area,” said Wolfe. “Once they found the correct spot, they would punch their cards to show that they had found their way. Each group had a different order in which they traveled.”

The students also learned to build a campfire. The day was as much about learning a few vital winter survival skills as it was about learning how the animals survived.

“Each group of 4-5 students circled around their site and built their fire,” said Wolfe. “They started with some fire-starters, which we made out of wax paper and empty milk cartons. They then had kindling and wood to put on top of that. They learned the fire needs oxygen in order to go. Many students had never experienced a bonfire before, let alone cooking hot-dogs and s’mores over them. It was a wonderful experience for all.”

Normally the students would also learn cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, but due to the lack of snow they were unable to do so this year. This was replaced with hiking and games.

“This year we took a nature walk to see evidence of how Buffalo and prairie animals used to and still do live on the prairie,” said Durbin. “The students also played a predator and prey game where they have to figure out how to hide or blend in with the natural surroundings so that a predator can't find them. They love this game and get very good at it.”

The trip was in coordination with the MSUM College of Science. Durbin and Wolfe were assisted in teaching the combined class of 42 students by Anthony Bormann and Paula Comeau.

“It is so fun to see kids who have never struck a match or cooked over a fire get to do that,” said Durbin. “Likewise, watching them experience snowshoes and skis for the first time is very rewarding. It is also a huge team building day. Students have to work cooperatively to complete every activity we do. Another nice component, living in this neck of the woods... is emphasizing basic winter survival skills.”

At the end of the day, the group returned home with a few new skills learned and a greater appreciation for nature’s resilience.