Population Boom

Today we investigated an interesting connection between the sediment problem from last week and the mountain lion hunting occurring in the area.  Students played a game to simulate the fluctuation in the deer population with and without predators in the area.  They found that mountain lion hunting reduces predators for deer and their population is able to experience booms and crashes. On these booms, deer overgraze and reduce ground cover, resulting in more erosion than usual.

We also did a creative activity where students were challenged to use design thinking and originality to create special hats for our friends the ats who are plagued by wild, pesky gnats. Here are some of their clever designs.

Several of the students were able to wrap up our Listening to Crickets novel study and enjoy a bit of the beautiful day.