Published: July 18, 2006 04:19 pm         

Area students scoop Texoma wetlands for science

LAKE TEXOMA — Twelve area students attended the newly opened JOLT (Journey on Lake Texoma) science camp on Lake Texoma near Pottsboro recently.

The students, ages seven to 12, included Elizabeth Blessing, Julie Krahl, Alexandra Broyles, Alex Harrell, Casandra Carter, Kylie and Rylan Ridge, Mary and Melanie McCann, Travis Foerster, Casey and Conner Vincent.

“It was so fun. I had a blast,” said seven-year-old McCann.

Her mother, Suzanne McCann added, “I love that the children are learning to love science. The program is one intensive lab. The students think it is great. They spent the first day along the shore searching for fossils. Then they used scientific methods to record and analyze their data. They learned plate tectonics and geology without realizing it. Moreover, it taught them that science is local.”

The camp is based on a natural curiosity about the world around them, said said.

Mary McCann liked the pontoon boat ride best, she said.

“We traveled to the wetlands. Then we used our D-nets to scoop up muck. We found baby crawfish, bugs, larva, and minnows. We brought it all back in buckets to look at under magnifiers and in a microscope.”

The critters were later freed into the wetlands.

The students also worked on team and leadership skills with challenge courses. These challenged the students to work together to achieve a common goal by recognizing each group member’s contributions.

Program Director Christine Tokarz challenges the students with programs based on TAKS testable objects in Science, Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies. Lesson plans are grade specific and designed to incorporate the scientific method and critical thinking skills.

Mother and chaperone Shari Foerster said, “I loved watching Chris interact with the kids. She inspired the kids and brought excitement to all the activities. She let them think for themselves. It was the first time that I heard my kids say they couldn’t wait to go to bed. They were mentally and physically exhausted. But they were up early the next day ready for new activities.”

Tokaraz said she hopes more area schools and groups will take advantage of the facility. For information call (903)786-3148.

On the Net:

www.jolt-texoma.org