Grade 6: Keystone Science School
It’s hard to beat a day in the mountains during the warm and wonderful days of late summer. When you add in exceptional lessons in nature and science, it doesn’t get any better than that. In September, sixth grade scientists ventured to the high country for three days of learning at Keystone Science School (KSS), a private campus with dorms, a dining hall and outdoor spaces that is staffed with science teachers eager to share the wonders of the natural world.
Keystone at a Glance
With groups of 12-13 students, KSS field leaders and Graland chaperones took students on an adventure of discovery in the high country. In a variety of ways, including games, solo exploration and hands-on experiences, Graland students internalized several key lessons that form the foundation of sixth grade science.
“The sixth grade year in science revolves around humans’ place in our world from consumption to waste to energy use and natural resources,” said science teacher Aaron Murray. “What we do at Keystone extends throughout the year, and by summer, students will understand how humans fit into the carbon cycle and global ecosystem.”
Water Quality
Right off the bus students were assigned groups and a field leader. After some get-to-know-you activities, they got right to work studying water quality. At Lilypad Lake, students happily changed into water shoes and stepped into the lake to collect macroinvertebrates like mayfly and stonefly nymphs, caddisflies larvae and worms. These organisms give clues to a water’s health; certain organisms can’t survive in polluted water. After consulting their field journals, notebooks provided by KSS, students declared Lilypad Lake clean based on the organisms living there. This type of field work is essential to gather information, observe, analyze and draw conclusions
“It was fun because we got to go on a hike and go in the water,” said Cate Whalen. “We learned how to test how healthy the water is. If the water is bad there are leeches which are pollution tolerant. Good water has invertebrates living in it.”
Life in the High Country
Through hikes, discussions and observations, students studied mountain life zones in Colorado. They learned to appreciate the natural environment by exploring trees, insects, streams and lakes at different elevations.
“One of our projects when we get back from the trip is ‘Create a Critter’ when students design an organism that can survive in a mountain life zone,” explained Mr. Murray. “They have to consider the abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) factors of the habitat and develop adaptations to meet those environmental needs.”
Zero Waste
Even during meal times, students were learning. A common topic in the dining hall was food waste. At the end of each meal, leftovers were collected and weighed; the results were recorded on a white board and either applauded or discussed. Students and chaperones were challenged to reach the point of zero waste - to eat everything that is placed on the table.
“We learned that every person wastes one pound of food every day on average,” said Cate.
Mr Murray added, “Students study statistics regarding food production and consumption and will understand the true cost of our food from farm to table. They will calculate mileage of food travel, water consumptions throughout the processing and manufacturing as well as land use required for many of their favorite foods.”
Annabelle Iten reflected on her own food waste following the trip: “It made me realize how much I do waste. Now at school and at home, I’m more conscious of taking smaller portions so I don’t end up throwing half of it away.”
Art and Poetry
To cross-collaborate, before leaving Keystone, students were led by art teacher Andrean Andrus to sketch a scene from their surroundings onto art paper. Back at school, they used Sharpie pens to finalize their drawing and added watercolor for a beautiful keepsake of their trip.
Ms. Siskind, meanwhile, guided students in expressing their experiences through poetry.
Students chose a nature-centered moment from the Keystone trip before exploring various poetic devices (alliteration, onomatopoeia, hyperboles, similes, metaphors, personification, imagery, rhythm, etc.).
Next, they analyzed sample nature poems to see how these devices could be used to enhance a poem’s meaning. Before actually writing their poems, kids described their scenes with vivid and descriptive language and played around with using the poetic devices. This planning then helped them create a draft, which they then spent time revising by using a rubric and "tips for revision" sheet. Ms. Siskind noticed that imagery was the biggest goal for these poems, and she encouraged kids to use the poetic devices in a way that would appeal to their reader’s senses.
It Goes Without Saying
Other than the outstanding lessons about the natural world, students gained so much more at KSS. Friendships, fun, personal successes ... these were the extra benefits of taking students outside the classroom and into a new environment where they are challenged in different ways. The sixth grade trip offers students the opportunity for both academic and social growth as they continue maturing into the engaged citizens and thoughtful leaders of the future.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
