Students of St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School in Concord Hill can feel fortunate their school is in rural Marthasville. Not every student is lucky enough to don rubber boots, hike through a …
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Students of St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School in Concord Hill can feel fortunate their school is in rural Marthasville. Not every student is lucky enough to don rubber boots, hike through a nearby field and spend a couple of hours in a creek.
On Tuesday, Oct. 19, students from grades 5-8 did that very thing, led by their teacher, Lesa Leopold. She is the principal at St. Ignatius and also teaches science and math. Leopold takes her students to the creek at least twice a year, where they will test the water and search for aquatic insects and animals.
Leopold, who has a doctorate in entomology (the study of insects), is the perfect person to instruct her students on the type of creatures they may find in the chilly October water.
“I liked to play in the creek when I was a child,” she said of her early interests in bugs. “I want the students to be in touch with their environment, to become good stewards of the Earth and to see the wonders of God’s creation in even the tiniest organism.”
The students held large screens in the water, turned over rocks and scoured the creek bed for any living organism. Some of the insect species they found included immature crane flies, damsel flies, caddis flies, midges and may flies. Leopold teaches the students to see how these insects can promote the health of the ecosystem in the creek.
Frogs were also among the creatures captured and studied and released during the unique class time.
Leopold said the students test the water each time they visit the creek, measuring nitrates, phosphates and the pH acidity of the water.
“It’s a better learning experience than sitting in a classroom and taking notes,” said student Kendall Weber.
Leopold said she uses a program called “Nature Unhooked” provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation as a guide to teach her students about the state’s aquatic ecosystems.
The students have found other interesting items in the creek, such as a wagon wheel and 100-year-old holy bottles. Leopold said at least one student usually ends up wetter than expected, but they all enjoy the day.
“It’s a great way to connect with nature,” said student Gabby Faust. “It’s hands on!”
