Second graders learn about flora and fauna

PLAINS- The second grade class from Plains went on their annual spring field trip to teacher Ruth Hamilton’s land just south of town on Monday. The trip is designed to reinforce subjects studied in the classroom primarily regarding science and nature.

The first part of the field trip involved taking the kids on a walk through the woods. Chaperoned by parents and teachers, the students examined the different types of trees on the property as well as other plants and animals.

After lunch, the kids visited multiple stations set up around the Hamilton home. The stations were designed to illustrate basic scientific concepts in a fun and entertaining way.

Especially popular with the students was the bubble station where kids could generate multiple sizes and shapes of the short-lived phenomenon. Also popular was the Alka-seltzer and vinegar rockets. A 35mm film canister was filled with the antacid and vinegar mixture, placed on a level surface and after a few minutes shot about 20 feet in the air to the delight of the onlookers.

Students also visited a station with different types of antlers and pelts and were challenged to identify which animals they came from. Another station demonstrated the vast array of colors encountered in nature.

The finale was the flaming volcano set up in the Hamilton garage. The painted model was filled with ammonium dichromate, a chemical commonly used in pyrotechnics such as the “tabletop volcano.” With the lights turned out and the garage door closed, the stage was set for the final display.

The entire second grade class gathered around the table at a safe distance from the model. After Hamilton ignited the small pile of chemical, a warm, reddish glow appeared inside the model followed by sparks and a small flame shooting a few inches above the model.

Students “oohed” and “ahhed” as the flames and sparks were followed by a cascade of black ash pouring over the side of the volcano. Hamilton provided the students with an encore before concluding the fiery display.

According to Hamilton, the trip is a fun way to get the kids out of the classroom and teach them about the flora and fauna of Sanders County.

“We live in Western Montana and a lot of kids never experience getting out into the woods. It’s a way to expose them to nature and follow up some of the lessons they learn in class,” said Hamilton.