Hands On    -   Minds On     -   Mud On     -    Hard Hat On

STI IDEA GRANT AT WORK
 

On beautiful Monday, May 17, 2010, 55 Earth Science students from Schalmont Middle and High Schools visited the site of the original entrance to Howes Cavern – The Cave House Museum.  The trip was lead by local geologists from the Hudson Mohawk Professional Geologist Association, who gave students a lesson in both the history and science behind this local wonder.  Students worked in small groups at 5 stations to explore the site, which includes a working quarry, a museum of mining and geology, a garden of boulders from across New York State, several accessible exposed bedrock outcrops and a rarely visited section of Howes Cavern.  Using equipment funded by an STI IDEA grant, the students collected samples, made sketches, and truly learned what it is like to work in the field like a geologist.  The goal of the grant and the trip was to expose the students to the natural systems that they have study all year in the classroom.  That goal was definitely accomplished, along with some hands on review for the upcoming Earth Science Regents Exam in June.

 Even though the students came back to school tired, wet and MUDDY, they had smiles on their faces all day.  Some have even made plans to return to the facility with their families.  The museum and grounds are open to the public some weekends in the summer.

 Teachers Becky Remis (HS) and Courtney Deming (MS) accompanied the students along with Andrea Bryson, 7^th Grade Accelerated Science teacher.

Click here to see pictures of the day.