Hands-on environmental learning takes many forms. On any given day Unity College students are outside conducting experiments, developing research skills, pursuing research, and gathering specimens. Sometimes hands-on learning means rolling up your jeans and wading knee deep into a stream.

Recently, students in the Biology I class taught by Instructor Amanda Baker were at Sandy Stream, a short walk from campus.

On the day that this photo was snapped, students were collecting samples of aquatic invertebrates and identifying them using dichotomous keys. They were also encouraged to practice observational skills important to any work in field biology.

Aquatic invertebrates are often sampled as an indicator of watershed health, among other tests for water quality. These students were not estimating water quality in this lab, however, this is something they might be likely to do in their future careers.

Wednesday, September 07, 2011