La Salle Biology Students Conduct Eaton Canyon Field Study

The La Salle Biology classes took their annual trip to Eaton Canyon for students to begin their Environmental Studies and Field Study Blogs project. Students work in partners to locate a site in the canyon and create an initial field study of the Eaton Canyon chaparral that is so common to the San Gabriel foothills.

Students map a birds-eye view of their viewing site and create a one hour log of their observations during their visit.  Working in team of two the students accumulate evidence through video and photos of their experience.  During the month of November students will create an online blog to share their experience with their teachers and fellow students.

This project allows students to interact with nature in a way that many of them no longer experience.  Biology teachers take students on an opening hike to discuss dangers and safety in the canyon. The students then journey out in teams to locate their viewing site. Students learn to make record observations and data, identify and classify plants and animals within the region.  This is an introductory experience that will be expanded to a student choice Biome Blog project that will be completed in the second semester.

In the past we were surprised at how many of our students do not experience the outdoors beyond their own backyards or school yard.  This project provides for opportunities for our students to get out and experience the amazing natural resources we have right here in the San Gabriel Valley. By introducing the experience of nature in a controlled environment and then allowing students to go out and choose regions in the Southern California area for them to continue that interaction in the spring, it is our hope that our students gain an increased appreciation for this world that we share.

For more information, visit www.lasallehs.org.