Do you know the only mammal that can truly fly? Or the bird that almost became the U. S. national symbol instead of the eagle? Those are some of the questions that sixth-grade students were asked during Friday’s Vermilion County Conservation District Olympics at Forest Glen Preserve. Bill Pickett has more….
Lara Danzl is the Environmental Education Supervisor for the District. She noted the Conservation Olympics have been going on for years…
{AUDIO: “This is our 39th year of offering this program to sixth-grade students. And we have six schools here today. We have Bismarck, Oakwood, Salt Fork, Judith Giacoma, Mary Miller Jr. High, and Schlarman Academy. They’re competing in Olympic-style events, but each event also throws in a bunch of conservation, natural resources, plants and animal questions that the students have been studying.”}
Miranda Simmons, a Science teacher at Salt Fork Junior High School, explained how her class prepared for the competition….
{AUDIO: “We learn a lot of vocab (vocabulary) first. And they learn all the vocabulary words so they understand what they’re reading about. And we have a guidebook that’s provided, and we read through the guidebook and talk about the animals and the plants that are native. We talk about endangered species and threatened species, and we talk about extinct species. And then we talk about the ways that we can help – all of those problems with the environment.”
Danzl noted the Conservation District’s Olympics are designed to deliver a special message to the students…
{AUDIO: “Everything that we have going on today focuses on our Vermilion County plants and animals. We really want these kids to understand what we have here in our backyard. So hopefully they gain a deeper appreciation and knowledge of our local habitats, our local animals and plants. And that way they’re just going to care more about the environment as they grow-up and become voting, responsible adults someday that need to take care of our habitat and our areas.”}
(Students had to pick from items on this table to answer questions for one of the games.)
Danzl added the Conservation Olympics would not be possible without the support it receives from teachers….
{AUDIO: “I’m so thankful that all of these teachers from these grade schools – they’re spending so much time with these students back at the classroom. (They are) Getting them to learn the event, getting them to learn all of the information that is in the Conservation Olympics guide book. They’re putting in so much time preparing for today, and it’s so important and wonderful, and I appreciate it greatly.
(Students prepare for one of the games.)
Danzl added she also appreciates the support the event receives from volunteers. Some Georgetown – Ridge Farm High School Biology students were among those who helped at the park Friday.
In case you were wondering…Danzl said the only mammal that can truly fly is a bat. And the bird that Benjamin Franklin wanted to be the national bird instead of an eagle is a wild turkey.
[This story — including the photos — is by Bill Pickett.]
