Learning from AES Students about our Springs

Posted on May 1st, 2011 by

Learning from AES Students about our Springs

A few weeks back I got an email from Chuck Mulligan, science instructor, at our Academy of Environmental Science (AES).  Mr. Mulligan invited me to come out to observe the AES’s “E.S.T.U.A.R.I.E.S.” Program (Educating Students to Understand AnthRopogenic Influences on Estuarine Systems). This is wonderful program that  has AES students act as  instructors (teachers) to middle and high school students from Citrus and surrounding counties to examine the human impacts on the springs of Crystal River (Click here to read a Chronicle Story on this program).  The boat captains for each learning vessel were Mr. Mulligan from AES and our instructors from Citrus County Marine Science Station (MSS), Mr. Hugh Adkins, Mr. Earnie Olsen and Ms. Cathy Proveaux.  This day’s guests were from Liberty Middle School (LMS) in Marion County.  Some of these middle school students had never been to Crystal River, let alone participated in marine science experiments and studies.  As we left the docks of the MMS, AES student-teachers began sharing about the seven rivers in Citrus County.  They shared about estuaries and how human daily activities play a critical role in their protection.  It was a beautiful day on the Crystal River.  One of our stops was in front of “Three Sisters” Springs where AES student-teachers with the help of LMS students took samples of the water and collected data.  Samples were taken  and tests were performed at three sites around the Crystal River and Crystal Bay areas before heading back to the MSS.  Throughout the trip AES student-teachers asked LMS students questions and taught them about our waterways, environment, and what each of them can do to make a positive impact in the future.  LMS students left with a better appreciation of marine science, biology and our Citrus County.

Before leaving I stopped by the AES campus and visited several of the classes going on.  In the Creative Writing, taught by Ms. Sandy Balfour I had the opportunity of listen to students that had an assignment of taking their last name and making it the name of a new product that they created.  The students had to provide a drawing or model of the product, write about how it would be used, and then produce a 30-second radio commercial.  These students came up with some very creative products that were both interesting and useful.  I stopped by the Marine Science class which had the students I  had just spent the morning with. I can not express enough how impressed I was with these students.

I have to share with you a story about three young ladies, Lindsay R., Darah N., Tess R., that I am referring to as the “Bio-Diesel Girls” who politely asked if they might have a minute of my time to ask a school board question.  Needless to say, I was all ears.  They each went on to ask about  my position and the Board’s position about the use of bio-diesel in our school buses.  I got the biggest smile on my face.  You see, the AES students have been in class manufacturing bio-diesel from used cooking oils.  The girls went on to explain to me the best formula for making the bio-diesel, the best mixture of standard diesel to bio-diesel mixture for maximum efficiency, and how much raw material would be needed to manufacture enough fuel for a single bus’s tank.  Now how can one not be impressed by all of this!  I said I could not speak for the Board but that I was impressed and felt they made a good case.  I am not sure we are ready as a district to switch over to bio-diesel, but I am interested in hearing more from these students on the subject.

These students are just another example of why I am excited for our future with students like this in our world.

 

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