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Biology is the place to be for students who want to get out of the building these days. Biology teachers Linda deKort and Kelly Morrow went to Glacier Park with their classes, and deKort’s advanced research biology classes were out studying stream and lake systems.
“We’re going to be taking a lot of field trips, so we can get the hands-on experience we need,” said junior Erin Erb. “I like (the class), but it’s a lot of work right now.”
“Students cannot understand how complex the natural world is through simulation,” said deKort. “They need to look at natural systems firsthand.”
Morrow’s math/biology block went to Glacier on Sept. 5 to collect data for a statistical analysis and comparison of forests and habitats. The project was meant to show how math and biology are connected and is part of the class’ ecology unit. DeKort’s class went to Glacier Sept. 30 to take measurements and data for their aquatic ecology unit.
“We’re lucky to have the opportunity to do this,” said deKort. “Experts come from all over the world to look at northwest Montana because we still have natural flowing streams that haven’t been dammed.”
As part of a study of stream systems in Advanced Research Biology, students took an in-depth look at water quality and its effects on ecology.
“I don’t think I’ll go swimming in rivers anymore,” said senior Katherine Elgin, “You should see some of the bugs we found!”
DeKort’s biology class has been given the opportunity to conduct a rowboat study out of the research facility at Yellow Bay on Flathead Lake. The project would compare the change in lakes to the changes in streams over time.
“Yellow Bay is the finest research facility this side of the Mississippi,” said deKort.
On Saturday, Advanced Research Biology classes will travel to the University of Montana library in Missoula to continue their quest to complete their original projects.
“It’s good to expose (students) to the treasure-trove of research materials available at a university library,” said deKort. “The students have been wonderful so far.”
According to deKort, if biology is a course you’re considering for next year, remember this:
“We get to be down in riparian areas looking at micro invertebrates. What better way to spend your time?”
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