Benjamin Logan students are getting hands-on experience with environmental science as the school’s Environmental Science Club begins its 10th year.
The club recently kicked off the new school year with a visit to Jolly Acres, where 28 student members pressed fresh apple cider, painted pumpkins and explored a corn maze. The students were welcomed by the Brewer family.
The visit also gave students an opportunity to learn more about Logan County’s agricultural heritage and develop a greater appreciation for the rural landscape surrounding their schools and homes.
For the past decade, the Environmental Science Club has provided students with opportunities to learn about the environment through hands-on projects and community service.
Club members have removed invasive species, planted trees, established pollinator plots and raised-bed gardens, and created a bluebird trail on the Benjamin Logan campus.
Students have also learned about forestry, native birds, and Ohio bats through guest speakers. Other experiences have included an overnight program and owl prowl at Kirkmont Center, as well as Enviro-Camp, a summer extension of the club that has been offered for the past three years.
The club has plenty planned for the upcoming school year.
Students will dissect owl pellets to learn about food webs, measure the heart rates of tiny aquatic organisms called daphnia and search for microscopic tardigrades, also known as water bears.
A planned hike through a Logan County gorge will also give students a chance to explore the area’s geological history.
The activities are designed to encourage students to ask questions, make observations, learn about environmental careers and better understand the natural resources in their community.
The Environmental Science Club is jointly sponsored by Benjamin Logan Local Schools and the Logan County Land Trust, a nonprofit organization focused on protecting natural resources and preserving the rural character of Logan County.
The club is led by Benjamin Logan educators Ryan Kerns, a third-grade teacher; Spencer Reames, a high school science teacher; and Bruce Smith, a fourth-grade teacher, along with Bob Stoll of the Logan County Land Trust.
Smith has been a Benjamin Logan educator since 1985 and is also a member of the Land Trust board. He has helped develop several environmental education initiatives.
Stoll is a Benjamin Logan graduate and longtime Land Trust board member with experience in forestry, soil conservation and agriculture.
The club is open to students in grades four through 12. This year’s 28 members were selected through an application process and have committed to participating in activities throughout the school year.
As the Environmental Science Club celebrates its 10th year, Benjamin Logan Local Schools is recognizing the continued partnership of the Logan County Land Trust and thanking the Brewer family for welcoming students to Jolly Acres.
The club’s impact extends beyond the trees planted and habitats created. It gives students opportunities to develop curiosity, practice environmental stewardship, and learn that they can make a difference in their own community.
