Students Advocate for Wetlands in Simulation

Steward students frequently use the wetlands surrounding the Bryan Innovation Lab as a classroom, studying the plants and animals that live there. It is an authentic ecosystem that’s uniquely available to our community.

This spring, Janell Kauffman’s sixth-grade science students are learning in that space in a new way, engaging both in the real-world natural environment and a hypothetical scenario.

In early April, the students received a mock letter from the school stating that the school was considering paving the area to extend the parking lot. The “letter” asked students to conduct a study of the area in order to share its importance and advocate for the school to keep the marsh intact. 

As part of the project, students learned about marshes as a system, conducted a quadrat study of the area to determine its biodiversity, identified plant and animal species living there, and looked at the school’s impact on the marsh. (A quadrat study is an ecological sampling method used to estimate population size and biodiversity across large areas by sampling random or systematic locations to extrapolate data about a habitat.)

“From this project, I hope students develop both a strong scientific understanding and a deeper sense of environmental responsibility and stewardship,” said Ms. Kauffman, the Middle School Bryan Innovation Lab liaison. “Ultimately, I hope students leave this experience with a greater appreciation for the natural world, a clearer understanding of how science is used in real-world problems, and a sense of responsibility to care for and protect the local environment.”

Morgan Manry ’32, a student in the class, shared: “The wetlands project helped me understand how hard it is to maintain the marsh because of all the organisms that interact with each other. I used to think that the wetland was just another marsh and that it was full of mud and dirt. However, after conducting research on the marsh and exploring it, I now understand all the different types of biodiversity and how important the marsh is in our environment. The marsh is a home for the wildlife and organisms that live there. It’s not just a body of water full of trash and mud; it’s a place for living and non-living things that need to be protected.”

Ms. Kauffman went on to explain that the project serves as a meaningful synthesis of the learning her students have done all year. “This project does not ask students to study ideas in isolation,” Ms. Kauffman shared. “Instead, all the skills and knowledge from the entire year are being used simultaneously. This is intentional integration to deepen their understanding and show the interconnected nature of science.”

Asher Solodar ’32 agreed with Ms. Kauffman: “The wetlands project helped me gain an understanding of biodiversity in the marsh,” he said. “We had the opportunity to apply the information we had acquired throughout the previous year to the study of the marsh.”

The project aligns with Steward’s core values of academic achievement, inspiration, and care & respect, which extends beyond our fellow humans to include the natural world.

Thankfully, the wetlands in front of the Bryan Innovation Lab are NOT being considered for a parking lot, Ms. Kauffman shared. The idea stemmed from her imagination. The wetlands are a vital part of the Bryan Innovation Lab’s learning environment and are purposefully protected by the school.