Applied Science using Natural Resource Sampling Techniques
(3-part course)

WHERE: Gainesville, FL 32611
WHEN:
Fall 2024 (3 sessions):
Session 1: Thursdays 10am-12pm Sept 26, Oct 3, and 10 2024 (enroll by Sept 19)
Session 2:Wednesdays 10am-12pm Oct 16, 23 and 30, 2024 (enroll by Oct 9)
Session 3: Thursdays 10am-12pm Nov 7, 14 and 21 2024 (enroll by Oct 31)
Spring 2025 (2 sessions):
Session 1: Thursdays Feb 20th, 27th and March 6th, 2025 (enroll by Feb 13th)
Session 2: Wednesdays March 19th, 26th and April 2nd, 2025 (enroll by March 12th) 
COST: $60.00
AGES: 8 and up
CAP: 20 students
TO ENROLL: Send and email to [email protected] and include the name(s) and age(s) of child(ren), name of attending adult, and please indicate which session you wish to attend.
Overview: Ever wonder how scientists are able to learn so much about our environment? Do you have an interest in science? This 3-part course guides students through the scientific method by applying simple natural resource sampling techniques. Students will sample aquatic plants, animals and water chemistry to determine the state of a local wetland. Students will form hypotheses, collect, process and record data, learn to identify common wetland plants and animals and practice water testing techniques, interpret their data and draw conclusions based on their findings. Each class is packed with activity, includes a take-home gift (e.g., magnifying glass, net) and handouts outlining the course material and helpful follow up resources. A certificate of completion from The Crystalline Ranger will be presented to each student on the last day.
Week 1: Animals as indicators of ecosystem health: A live aquatic animal display will greet students on the first day and get everyone familiar with the creatures and excited to begin. For the first class we will collect aquatic animals (small fish and invertebrates) from the Natural Areas Teaching Laboratory using the dip net method. Students will collect, identify and record the organisms found. We will then use our data to determine the diversity and biotic index of our samples. Finally, we will conclude with accepting or rejecting our hypotheses, characterizing diversity, and determining the health of the system based on the life we sampled.
Week 2: Water sampling and chemistry: The second week will introduce students to various methods of characterizing water in natural sciences. First, we will look at physical properties of water by measuring depth (“depth profile”), total dissolved solids and comparing clarity of samples collected in different areas of the wetland. Using both test strips and water chemistry reagents, we will evaluate the chemistry of water samples by recording pH, salts, nitrite and nitrate, heavy metals, etc. Next, we will compare our sample data to state standards and hold a group discussion about the health of our system based on our water samples.
Week 3: Aquatic plant sampling: A live display of common aquatic plants will familiarize students with the plants we will be sampling this class. We will use two techniques for sampling plants—the transect and the quadrat. In small groups, we will record the plants found in different sections of our wetland. Using our data, we will characterize plant diversity and evaluate the health of the ecosystem based on the plants sampled. In a group discussion we will cover important concepts such as non-native and invasive species, simple statistics, and distribution. Finally, we will compare the data and conclusions from each week, pulling together our sample data from animals, water testing and plant samples to construct a larger-picture conclusion. Other concepts covered in group discussion are the importance of careful sampling, as well as the limits and challenges to data collection and drawing conclusions. A certificate ceremony and potluck will conclude this course!