Red-Tailed Hawks engage Renton/Skyway Boys & Girls Club in Environmental Science this week. As proud partners in the Northwest Earth & Space Sciences Pipeline, we have been presenting knowledge about our biosphere and breaking it down into discussions and hands-on activities observing the pedosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Martin Brazier began with an overview of the Universe, our solar system and then our little blue planet Earth. Jesse Hayes introduced the concept of systems, used an airplane as an example and then Eleanor Clark drove home the point that our biosphere is a system.
The students have engaged in recording observations and data in scientific journals as they surveyed portions of Cedar River Park, took soil samples in the park woodlands and gathered water samples from the park wetlands. They even launched a tethered weather balloon to gather data about altitude, temperature, humidity and wind direction.
Along the journey, the students learned about cartography, using a magnetic compass, and building and using a handheld sextant. They used trigonometry to determine the height of trees and record observations of how the winds were manipulating the weather balloon. Students conducted experiments to understand atmospheric pressure. They also engaged in discussion and shared information about the ecology of their own neighborhoods.
Today, Eleanor Clark, an Environmental Resources Engineer, will lead a discussion on climate change.