Lauren Stark is on a mission to see an otter.
The Grade 6 McKenzie Public School student went with her class to Mission Marsh Conservation Area as part of a field trip. Her class, along with students from three other public schools, learned about the wetlands in the area and the various animals that live there.
Lauren had spotted an otter at her grandfather’s Dryden home and had hopes of seeing her first one in Thunder Bay while on the field trip.
Although she wasn’t successful, Lauren said it was a nice break from the classroom to go outside and look for animals.
“I find it pretty fun because I get to learn about the animals that I haven’t learned much about and the ecosystems I forgot about,” she said. “I wanted to learn more about the otter because that’s my favourite wetland animal.
“Beavers seem pretty cool to me but I’ve seen a lot of beavers. I’ve seen them before and there not new or anything.”
Lauren’s classmate, Tanner Little, agreed that going outside was a welcome change from the classroom.
On his way into the conservation area, Tanner spotted a number of deer.
Tanner said he wanted to learn more how the wildlife live and how they adapt to their environment.
“We got to see a beaver skull’s teeth and how they ate the wood,” he said. “I didn’t know much besides that they ate wood. It was interesting because they taught me more.”
Rob Price, a teacher at Woodcrest Public School, said the field trip works well with the student’s biodiversity unit.
He argues that there’s a huge difference for a student to actually see the ecosystems discussed in class.
“There’s a lot more interest in science,” he said. “There’s a lot more energy involved with the science and they want to learn more. The levels of questions the kids have definitely increased. It’s wonderful to see.”
Bill Bartley, chairman of the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority, said the one-day event is for Grade 5 and 6 students and helps them become introduced to the outdoors.
He said everyone should be a steward of the environment so it is better to teach students that lesson at an early age.
“You can only learn so much in the four-walls of a classroom,” Bartley said.
“When you’re out here and see it and seeing it growing and feeling it, it is a much better learning environment.”
