More than 200 local fourth-graders converged on Pike Lake at Lucerne Park Wednesday to learn about topics like water conservation, erosion and water quality.
It’s all apart of the Kosciusko Lakes and Streams Field Day.
Students from Milford, Jefferson, Pierceton and Warsaw Christian elementary schools were on hand.
The program ran for most of the day, and kids went to five different stations.
Stations focused on erosion issues, water conservation, water quality, fishing and creative art.
Nearly 30 Grace College students volunteered for Wednesday’s activities.
All the Grace College students were either education majors or taking education classes.
“Actually, being able to interact with and experience the lakes is so vital to understanding and appreciating them. I’m happy we were able to give so many students that experience today,” said Anna Burke, program manager for KLAS. Milford Elementary fourth-grade teacher Paige Keim said she was pleased with how her students were spending the day.
“They’re learning from professionals,” said Keim. “They’re getting to do things like test water quality. They’re getting to experience these things hands on.”
Teachers also said it was a great way for kids to see that their world extends from their school or the town they live in.
“It’s important for them to see more than their small town,” said Keim. “It helps the kids get the big picture.”
Mark Andrews, fourth-grade teacher at Jefferson, echoed Keim’s remarks.
“It makes them think about a big area,” said Andrews. “It also ties into other programs we learn about like Junior Achievement.”
Andrews said issues like water quality can be weaved into all sorts of lessons kids learn while at school.
Andrews said not only do his students enjoy the field day, but so do teachers and chaperones.
“This is one of the greatest days of our year,” said Andrews.
Both Keim and Andrews said they were pleased at how well the lessons spoke to their children.
“It’s been extremely age appropriate,” said Keim. “It’s kept the kids really engaged.”
A big part of what KLAS does is use non-traditional, hands-on programs like the field days to help cultivate a new generation of students who care about natural resources and conservation.
Rather than try and learn through textbooks in a classroom setting, KLAS works to provide experiences where kids can learn by doing.
That includes things like taking water samples or casting a fishing pole. For many students, an event like Wednesday’s field day may be the first time they’ve cast a line.
KLAS is a community water-quality program centered at Grace College.
For more information about what KLAS does for the community, visit water.grace.edu
