Expedition to S.M.E.R.
As a collaborative project, all of my science classes, 7th-10th grade will study the Chaparral ecosystem found at the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, (SMER). We will study ecology (biodiversity and population dynamics) and chemistry (geochemistry and biochemistry) focused on SMER.
Our studies will be shared with the public through an interactive installation that will teach others about the science of SMER.
We will finalize our exploration with an overnight camping expedition to SMER!
Our studies will be shared with the public through an interactive installation that will teach others about the science of SMER.
We will finalize our exploration with an overnight camping expedition to SMER!
SMER is a 4300 acre wilderness preserve ran by San Diego State University. They have generously offered to support our studies through visiting teachers, zoom conferences with the reserve and a dynamic camp experience with lots of hiking and science!
Read more about SMER here: fsp.sdsu.edu/
Read more about SMER here: fsp.sdsu.edu/
We started with a look at interactive installation art, and then designed one for our study of science. It was based on the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve (SMER).
We immediately dove into our study of ecology. We researched the biodiversity at SMER.
Next, students began designing and painting our murals!
Next, students began designing and painting our murals!
San Diego State University (SDSU) arranged a Zoom conference with SMER. Our students got to speak with a scientist (Jamie Bourdon) and ask him questions as he stood in the wilderness reserve!
We began our study of population dynamics, including a lab in which we bred fruit flies. We learned about populations within SMER.
A scientist from SDSU visited our school and shared a lesson about SMER. Her name was Breahna Gillespie.
Thanks to SDSU for facilitating this! She taught us about biodiversity and man's impact on SMER.
Thanks to SDSU for facilitating this! She taught us about biodiversity and man's impact on SMER.
Next, we added population dynamics and man's impact into our murals.
With only days left to prepare for the festival, we finished last projects that included a woodworking on a table to house our ecosystem model, clay models of SMER organisms, laying out labeled constallations to be the night's sky as a ceiling, and measuring, cutting and illustrating a carpet to be the floor.
Finally, we exhibited our installation at the Festival of Science & Engineering for EXPO Day at Petco Park. It had a great soundtrack created by David Samas of San Francisco, and a fog machine for ambiance. Thousands of people arrived and interacted with our installation. The students ran the project all day long.It was fantastic!
Click HERE to see a quick video documentation of the installation.
A student also made the video below!
A student also made the video below!
SMER liked the installation, so they took it to show at Earth Day in Temecula for Earth Day!
We have been communicating with IMAC, The Institute of Art & Culture in Rosarito, Mexico. Our contact there, Armando Gonzalez has arranged a partner school for us to work with!
Our Spanish class wrote notes to our new pen pals on butterflies. The idea is that these will migrate across the border.
Our Spanish class wrote notes to our new pen pals on butterflies. The idea is that these will migrate across the border.
We took the installation to our partner school in Baja, Mexico!
I loaded up my truck and headed south.
I loaded up my truck and headed south.
I stayed with my friends Francisco Cabello and Lucy De Hoyos. They are amazing artists!
In the morning, I had some coffee and headed to IMAC. The Institute of Art & Culture where I met Armando Gonzalez. We headed east, into the hills of Rosarito.
CLICK HERE to check out the IMAC website!
CLICK HERE to check out the IMAC website!
We arrived at the school called Sentimiento Purépecha. We met the principal and unloaded the truck.
We set-up the Walk-inPainting and classes toured through. I practiced my Spanish through science lessons. The kids were fantastic!
I gave them the butterflies with the pen pal messages, and they surprised me by handing me a stack of carefully written letters. Our Spanish class is going to be busy!
This was a beautiful day!
We began to study chemistry, then went into geochemistry..and finally applied it to the geology of SMER.
We next hit the biochemistry of SMER.
We added these geosciences and biochem into our murals!
We next hit the biochemistry of SMER.
We added these geosciences and biochem into our murals!
Finally it was time for our expedition to SMER! We would camp out at the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve to study science.
We met at the school and caravanned to the reserve. A naturalist named Beth let us through the gate and led us to a field station, where we set up camp.
We met at the school and caravanned to the reserve. A naturalist named Beth let us through the gate and led us to a field station, where we set up camp.
Inside the field station, Jamie, a resident scientist, gave us an orientation to the reserve . We had some PBJ's for lunch, and then Beth led us on a guided nature hike down to the Santa Margarita River!
It was beautiful! We crossed the small river and explored the area and lounged to the sound of birds and flowing water. We found frogs, huge birds, toads and lizards.
After the hike, we returned to camp where we indulged in some science. First we did an experiment to see which kind of soda would release the CO2 with Mentos.
Next we did some painting. We used acrylic on wood to create landscape paintings.
We had previously done a research project on nature artists, so we were prepped!
We had previously done a research project on nature artists, so we were prepped!
As the sun set and dusk came on, students had a chance to relax and reflect, as the adults prepared hot dogs and chili for dinner.
After dinner, we made a camp fire and had smores!
Finally, we poured water on the fire and hit the sack. We heard animals all through the night.
The next morning was foggy. We realized that we were camping in a cloud, so we called it "Cloud Camp". We made a small morning fire with muffins, bananas and juice for breakfast.
We all woke up about dawn, so we had some extra time. We decided to do some science. We did an experiment that explored how rocks break down through weathering. Super fun!
Next, Jamie , Beth and Mr. Hanson arrived to guide us through a water analyzation science project. We headed down to the river!
After we finished our exploration of the river water, we had a little extra time to freely explore the area and relax by the river, and we found a baby toad.
We hiked up the mountain, packed up our gear and headed home.
What a great trip!
Our Spanish class is hard at work translating the letters from Rosarito and writing responses. Here are the first two!
The Butterfly Pen Pals, migrated back from Mexico!
Exploration Night!
At SOUL Charter School, we are "project based". At the end of each semester, we have a big event to share some of our work with the public. On this evening, my classes shared the Walk-in-Painting and our Atomic Mandalas. It was a a great event!
At SOUL Charter School, we are "project based". At the end of each semester, we have a big event to share some of our work with the public. On this evening, my classes shared the Walk-in-Painting and our Atomic Mandalas. It was a a great event!
SPECIAL THANKS!!!
This extensive project was supported by several professionals and institutions.
We would like to take a moment to thank them here!
The S.M.E.R. Team: David Lipson, Pablo Bryant, Jamie Bourdon, & Beth Cobb.
Breahna Gillespie for being a visiting biologist at our school through 5 periods.
David Samas for creating the custom sound track for our Walk-in-Painting.
The admin at SOUL for support from multiple directions: Wendy Kaveney, & Marisa Fogelman
Taina Jorda-Cid for collaborating through her Spanish class on the Pen Pal project.
Armando Gonzalez at IMAC, The Institute of Art & Culture in Rosarito
Francisco Cabello and Lucy De Hoyos for housing me in Mexico.
Scott Hanson the totally awesome AP environmental teacher from Murrieta Mesa High School.
All the wonderful parents who drove and/or chaperoned our campout.
Our partner school in Mexico: Sentimiento Purépecha.