Community Nature Festival of Science

By: John Wnek

Teaching Team:

School: Ocean County Vocational Technical School, Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science

Grade Levels: 9-12

Academic Focus/

Core Curriculum Standards:

Comprehensive Health and Physical Education 2.2,

Language Arts Literacy 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4

MATES students will assist with activities, help educate about the environment and participate in the numerous programs at the annual Cattus Island Nature Festival at Cattus Island Park in Toms River, NJ. Students lead participants on: nature trail walks, seining activities, water testing activities, and staff a table with children's' activities and information about terrapin turtle habitat protection.

2 months preparation-Students learn required curriculum in preparation. Information and skills learned in the classroom will be utilized and incorporated into Festival activities and programs.

Scheduled class times and one day event from 8am-4pm

Seine net, waders, boots, buckets for sample collection, field guides, water testing equipment, species specific booklets, turtle excluder device, displays for different species.

Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Students will perform water testing and understand the implications of the results. Results will be discussed among the class and possibly with citizen attendees to assess community awareness and understanding about potential local, state, national, or international water health issues.

Language Arts Literacy Students will utilize reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the classroom, in the field and during their presentations at the Nature Festival. These skills will be utilized among their peers and with the citizens attending the festival.

Mathematics Students use numbers, numerical operations, and data analysis during water quality and habitat assessments and calculations of clutch survival rates.

Science Students will: use mathematics while performing water testing; learn about diversity and needs of organisms and develop an understanding of the environment as a system affected by humans.

Social Studies In class and during seining and water quality activities, students address the impact of human behavior on the environment.

Consumer, Family & Life Skills.Students will communicate effectively in a variety of settings with a diverse group of people.

Hurdles Encountered:

Hurdles: Time, It would be better to have more time in the classroom for preparation.

Solution Pairing underclassmen with upperclassmen for the activities.

Students participated in community event, using their curriculum knowledge and skills in a hands-on fashion to meet their goals.

Students work together to plan their presentations and work with Park volunteers and staff to create a successful event.

Students use skills in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies.

Students discover that people of all ages are interested in what they are learning in the classroom and that there is employment in this profession. Students learn that by taking responsibility for their presentations they gain the respect of themselves and community members as they represent the MATES program. They also convey the core ethical value of respect for the environment and natural resources.

Celebration: Staff and students review the event over a celebratory lunch.

Recognition: Cattus Island park recognizes MATES participation in the Event brochure, and in the press release. 

Key Findings: Students are able to discover their presentation style(s) and preferences when working with different age groups. During presentations curriculum material is reinforced.

Cattus Island Park offers free day activities open to all. Volunteers and participants will be involved with nature walks, talks, crafts and activities, related to the area’s environment.

MATES students work alongside volunteers and Park staff .Cattus Island Park staff work with MATES instructors and students prior to the event to create MATES’ areas of involvement for the event.

All MATES parents are invited to participate as volunteers.

Reflection Activities: Students write journal entries and assess their role in their activity, their preparation level in regard to their curriculum, and their material preparation. To address” Respect,” students include an entry on the challenges of working with citizens and staff members at the Festival.

Students will be observed by Staff. Class will be used to measure individual achievement. An invitation to participate in the next Festival will be used.