Every year, eighth graders at Cane Creek Middle School (CCMS) look forward to a very wet outdoor classroom experience. Creek Week is a tradition that brings science lessons to life. For students it’s time to step out of the classroom and into the natural laboratory that flows through the school's backyard - Cane Creek.
This year, the excitement was palpable as students gathered on the bank and in the water of the creek, clipboards in hand, ready to dive into the great outdoors. Their mission? To learn how to assess the health of the creek by examining water quality, measuring the distance and speed of water flow, and identifying species that call the creek home.
Under the guidance of their science teachers, students used equipment to test the water’s pH levels, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. Those tests helped determine if the water was healthy enough to support aquatic life.
“It is fun and rewarding to see students learning in a real world experience,” said science teacher John Bell. “This tradition is something that many students talk about for years to come.”
By the end of Creek Week, the eighth graders had gained more than just scientific knowledge. They develop a deeper connection to their environment and a sense of responsibility to protect it.
Photos Courtesy of Cane Creek Middle School