A Broccolicious Friday in Taste of Science

Another Green Elective Profile

Taste of Science is a one semester class that we offer as part of our Green Tech Academy.

The range of topics include cryptids, ecology, invasive species, pollinators, meteorology, climate change, species reintroduction, and organic gardening. Students will be outside tending to our native and vegetable gardens, journaling, chasing pollinators, hiking, and planting.

Temperatures hit the mid-70's today so it just made sense to take a broccoli break. I had no idea so many students would partake.

We planted this crop from starts last November. We keep our 4x12 beds covered most of the time, but when a stretch of temperate weather is forecast we uncover them. Students have also munched on spinach, cilantro, parsley, and three kinds of lettuce in past veggie breaks this month.

Back to work. One of the first things students study at the beginning of each semester is tool use and safety. We review simple machines. Today we practiced with levers and wedges.

We ended the period visiting the chicken coop. Our 5 hens are laying 4 eggs a day. (Who's the slacker?) Melissa Dunaway, our math lab specialist incorporates our chicken project in her curriculum. Students chart egg weight and length.

Last Friday we went for a walk through our nearby hike and bike trail.

Before embarking, a student calls out the data from our nearest Weatherbug station and the class records the data in their field journals.

This trail was recently installed by the Westcreek Neighborhood Association. It is perfect for nature study and is adjacent to our campus.

Pictured above is the Bug Brigade. They are looking for evidence of insects and arachnids.

There were seven other groups: Tree Folks, Critter Club, Bird Brains, Berry Good People, Flower Children, Waterboys, and Weather Watchers.

Bingo! A den.

Looks abandoned, though.

Before heading back we stopped at Williamson Creek. The green metal fence marks the end of the Westcreek neighborhood's greenbelt. Runoff from recent rain has deposited a lot of debris. We plan to return and clean this place up.