Virtual Trail' Explorations

by Elizabeth Moundalexis and Sherry Schaaf

Twelve budding scientists at Forks Middle School are conducting groundbreaking research (sometimes literally!) on a 2.5 mile trail system that surrounds the University of Washington's Olympic Natural Resources Center. Through their explorations, students gain direct experience in doing hands-on science in the field; working with samples and computer programs in laboratories; and designing their own scientific experiments.

What's This Year's Project?

At the beginning of the semester, students chose to create a 'virtual' trail - a trail accessible by web users. Mimicking the trail that surrounds the University of Washington's Center, the virtual trail has clickable icons that allow the user to view student research projects conducted along the trail as well as photo points. The virtual trail not only shares science with users, but also will be a great tourism tool to attract visitors to the community.

To accomplish this goal, the students first needed to learn more about the flora and fauna that inhabit the Western Olympic Peninsula. Spending a half day each week for five weeks, students were busy…

  • Creating field guide entries for local critters
  • Describing trees using…Increment borers (remove a core from the tree so age may be determined), Clinometers (measure tree height), and Diameter tapes (measure tree diameter directly)
  • Tracking animals…making plaster casts (mixture of Plaster of Paris and water) of the physical tracks and carefully examining feces as well
  • Identifying birds…using life-sized cutouts made by students of the Hood Canal Institute (360) 275-0721
  • Examining water critters
  • Digging into the soil…using Berlese funnel setups to remove animals from the soil

As part of their background study, the students designed their own scavenger hunt - breaking into teams armed with a digital camera, field guides, and notebooks and hunting for items with instructors. After 30 minutes, all materials were brought back together, discussed, and analyzed.

Now equipped with background information, students are currently embarking on their own explorations of the area - designing research projects independently or in teams of two. All research is being conducted along the University of Washington trail. Users may view student research and student-authored field guide entries by accessing www.onrc.washington.edu/trail/ - a web portal designed by the students.

The program will culminate with a presentation to the community at the Forks Middle School Curriculum Fair this May. Following that students will head from rural Washington to the University of Washington campus in Seattle - spending a day meeting with graduate students studying their favorite disciplines, viewing classrooms, and just getting the feel for a university setting.

Why is this Program Important?

The Middle School Program is an especially empowering experience for girls, as they work with female scientists and staff from Forks Middle School and the University of Washington. Students see first hand that science is something they can do and enjoy. Educational research shows that for adolescent girls in middle school, interest and enjoyment of science decreases as they head toward high school. If girls are not challenged and shown that they can succeed and have a good time doing science, they will choose not to pursue scientific or technological paths as they get older. In addition, the visit to the University of Washington campus makes universities more tangible and less threatening for students. Students from rural, remote areas often do not feel academically prepared to attend a large, public university.

 
Where is the 'Real Trail' Located?

Located in the middle of the rainforest, the University of Washington's Olympic Natural Resources Center and Forks Middle School are located in one of only three temperate rain forests in the world and sit at the floor of the Olympic Mountains. Until the mid-1980's, the economy flourished around the timber and fishing industries. Today, both industries are at historically lower levels due to fluctuations in forest products markets, modernization, harvest related issues, and requirements by the Endangered Species Act. The community is reevaluating its future and realizes the need to diversify in order to survive. Part of that diversification includes enhanced educational opportunities for their students.

Who Makes the Program Work?

This program would not be possible without hard work from the students. To participate, all students in the program must maintain their grades and have no discipline referrals from their teachers. The University of Washington's Office of Educational Partnerships & Learning Technologies, Quillayute Valley School District, and the University of Washington's Olympic Natural Resources Center donate staff time. Additionally, the University of Washington's Olympic Natural Resources Center makes in-kind donations of space and equipment.

Programs such as these are possible with many different organizations within Washington and Oregon. The Quillayute Valley School District has a Partnership for Education program that not only involves the University of Washington, but also the Olympic National Park, the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, the State Parks, Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Natural Resources, and several state-run Fish Hatcheries. All these organizations have an educational component and counterparts throughout the state - give them a call and see what classroom and field experiences you can set up for yourself and your students.

If you would like further information on the partnership between the University of Washington and the Quillayute Valley School District contact: Elizabeth Moundalexis, Director of the University of Washington's Northwestern Olympic Peninsula Community Partnership at aem@u.washington.edu or Sherry Schaaf, Quillayute Valley School District Science Coordinator at sschaaf@mail.wavcc.org.