Day 2: Exploring Colorado Wildlife (Video)

Field Day 1: 8th Grade

Forest Ecology

(Check out the video at the end of this post!)
Today the students were split into two field groups. The 8th graders went with their two instructors out to the forest near Rainbow Lake. The 6th graders went with their two field instructors to the foothills of Buffalo Mountain. Here are some of the highlights from today:

Today we went into the mountains to look for wildlife and study forest ecology.

When we were in the field today, we did a special activity after we read "The Giving Tree." The instructors blindfolded us and lead us to a tree in the forest. We had to feel the tree and study all of its textures and special features. We were brought back to our starting point, took off the blindfold, and had to find our unique tree. Here is Sydney, waiting to be lead to her tree. Nicholas, Sydney, and some of the others found their tree on the first try. Others wandered around the forest till they found their unique tree.

Marco caught sleeping out in the field.

We found bear claw marks on one of the trees.

Our school is in area called Summit County between Copper Mountain and Brekenridge, Colorado. There are many popular ski resorts in the area.

Nicholas and Marco, part of the wolf pack. Let's hear you howl!!

Ms. Scott and Mr. Ohrt trying to run away!

Esbeydi and Sydney having fun in the snow!

Karla and Alyssa having a great time in the Great Outdoors!

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Field Day 1: 6th grade

Forest Ecology

We played lots of game where we learned about animal adaptations. Here Ethan is mimicing the talons of a bird of prey.

Even Mr. Bozdogan joined in the fun and games. Here he is pretending to be a Golden Eagle as part of the animal adaptations game. However, tonight we learned that "Bozdogan"means "Gray Hawk" Turkish. This is officially his new nickname of the rest of the trip :)

Melisa, William, and Elexus paid close attention to all the activities and things our field instructors were teaching us.

Later we hiked into the forest to learn about tree adaptations and practice identifying some of the native species using a dicotomus tree key.

Between lessons and games we took time to play in the snow and forest.

We even got to make our first snow angels!

Everyone had an AWESOME day out in the field! We can't wait to see what's in store for us tomorrow!

Check out Ethan and Dain's impressions from our first field day:
CLICK HERE to view video

Day 2: Animal Adaptations Centers (Video)

Animal Adaptations Centers

Tonight we learned about animal adaptations. We got to explore six centers that taught us about different types of adaptations. Ethan and Devanne walk us through the centers in this quick video: 

CLICK HERE to view animal adaptions center video

The students were learning about physical and behavioral adaptations,

how the animals use their physical traits and their behavioral traits to survive in their habitats.

You Are What You Eat: 

This center taught us about how you can look at animals teeth and sculls to tell if they are herbivores (plant eaters), carnivores (meat eaters), or omnivores (eats both plants and meat). 

Sharp, jagged teeth give us a clue that the animal eats meat. These teeth are used for tearing meat. 

Flat, broad teeth are a clue that the animal eats plants. These teeth are used to grinding food. 

S.C.A.T 

This center showed deer, elk, beaver,and bear poop. You can look at the SCAT to get clues about what the animal ate and if they are carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore. You can also look at the size and shape to learn about the animal. 

Insulation: 

At this center we learned about the different types of fur to keep them warm in the winter. Here we saw a fox, beaver, and a coyote's fur.

Hibernation: 

At this center we learned about different types of animal hibernation. Some animals go into a shallow hibernation (like bears). They can wake up and keep their young warm. Other animals like chipmunks go into a deep hibernation where they don't wake up even if you pick them up or shake them. 

Antlers and Horns:
Horns and antlers are made from the same thing your finger nails are made out of (keratin).

We saw horns from a bull, antlers from a moose, and a mountain goat. Many male animals use their antlers or horns to fight other males to win a mate.

Mr. Ohrt rocked out on the longhorn.

Ethan sat a little too closely to the SCAT. He explored elk, mule deer, and other animal SCATs at this center.

Sydney and Elexus got a taste of what's it like to have some serious antlers and horns. Here, Sydney is posing with an Moose antler, and Elexus is posing with a longhorn.

Nicholas explored an Elk scull and antler at this station. 

Devanne was feeling silly as she explored the antler and horn center. 

Marco didn't want to mess with this skunk! His defenses were too strong for Marco to handle.

Here, Kevin shows us an actual bear skull. Judging by the sharp incisors and flat molars, we could tell that this mammal is an omnivore. 

Vianey gets up close and personal with this fox pelt. She was able to feel the thick fur that keeps the fox warm and insulated during the cold winter months. 

Esbeydi poses with a real coyote pelt. She explored this mammals thick fur that will keep it warm during the winter as well as look at the special coloring it uses to camouflage. 

Kevin shows us a beaver skull and how it uses its long teeth to chop pieces of wood to build damns in the river. These special teeth are an example of a physical adaptation.