Students enjoy sunny days along Whychus Creek

Fifth-graders from Sisters Middle School were lucky to have three beautiful sunny days as they waded in Whychus Creek searching for signs of a healthy stream.

Wolftree staff and volunteer mentors led the students in scientific discoveries throughout the field days. Many groups investigated Whychus Creek by measuring the stream flow, collecting macro-invertebrates, gathering data on water chemistry, and identifying riparian plants. The excited fifth-graders were all smiles throughout their field days - happy to be outside and enjoying new ways of learning.

Sisters Middle School and Wolftree have been collaborating on an end-of-the-year field day for several seasons with help from the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and several members of the Sisters community. Wolftree had access to the Cyrus Property along Whychus Creek, and with the meandering Whychus Creek and beautiful cottonwood stand, this site is exceptional for student exploration.

By the third day, the temperatures were rising and there was still a buzz in the air. Walking from group to group, one student's enthusiasm caught this correspondent's attention. Hunter Jones, student of Tiffany Tisdel, was collecting macro-invertebrates. He said, "Bugs are sensitive to other stuff in the water, they can't tolerate changes like temperature and pollution."

Hunter was dressed all in camo, so the bugs would not see him. Hunter also made a point to say if you are going in the creek, you need good balance and good weather; there are a lot of bugs that you do not want to miss.

At the end of each day, students from Tanya Young, Norma Pledger, and Tiffany Tisdel's classrooms gave presentations to the parent chaperones and Wolftree mentors. Presentations consisted of sharing scientific data to skits on capturing macro-invertebrates. Each group brought a unique perspective to the day, showing the value of learning in an outside environment with volunteer mentors.

Wolftree is a non-profit science education organization based in Sisters, working with students from fifth through 12th grade across Central Oregon. They rely on volunteer mentors to run field days; if you are interested in learning more about Wolftree and the upcoming summer schedule, contact Bess Ballantine at 541-549-1459 or [email protected]