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5th & 6th Graders Attend Conservation Day at Summit Reservoir
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Mrs. Brenda Hegemann’s 5th grade class and Mrs. Jennifer Schmidt’s 6th grade class of Howells-Dodge Consolidated School recently attended Conservation Day at Summit Lake Recreation Area southwest of Tekamah, Nebraska. This event is planned by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, and the Papio-Missouri River NRD.
The morning session consisted of four different activities near the boat dock. Our first activity was fishing. The students were given a lesson on the proper techniques to use while fishing. Each student was given a fishing pole and was able to do a little fishing. Almost all of the students caught at least one fish! Next, we went to a session on the water cycle. The students were given information on the importance of taking care of our water supply and then took part in an activity that demonstrated the water cycle. Then, we went to a presentation on soil. The students were shown examples of various soils and were shown the benefits of minimum tillage of the ground. Lastly, our students were at an activity about trees. They all were "seeds" and had to randomly pick chips. Different colored chips stood for wind, water, nutrition and so forth. If their "color" wasn't picked they would not live long enough to become a tree.
At lunchtime, the students were also given a beverage of their choice, provided by the program sponsors, to enjoy with their sack lunch meal. We all got to sit by picnic tables to eat and were able to enjoy the views of Summit Lake.
The afternoon session consisted of a nature hike. While walking on the trails, the students were shown several different species of native grasses, trees, vines, spiny plants, and fungi. We got to see our state grass (Little Bluestem), state tree (Cottonwood), and our state flower (Goldenrod). Our 5th and 6th graders had their own tour guide and had lots of one-on-one opportunities to ask questions and share ideas and information.
After the hike the students were able to sit down and talk with a Nebraska Game & Parks Official. He showed them a screech owl, and they all had an opprotunity to hold a snake.
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