Day 1

 

On the first day of STEMmersion we began our day by learning about what we would be doing which includes hiking, canoeing , and practicing yoga in Dayton MetroParks and other area locations. We proceed to analyze the quote "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." by Henry David Thoreau. We came up with some of our explanations for what that may mean and out best definition was to go to the woods to live on your own terms, find peace and serenity in the silence, and to be willing to try new things. After we learned about the STEMmersion we played a game called "Where the Wind Blows" in order to learn each others name and something about each of them. After our regularly scheduled lunch and recess we came in and read "Thoreau: Our Model for Nature Writing" in order to focus our minds in preparation for our trips. Before ending the day with an hour of yoga, we went for a short walk to the pond next to the school and spent 10 minutes in silence while filling out the "Two by Two in Nature" activity sheet. This sheet was designed to help us learn how to use our senses to embrace our surroundings and recognize what others see and hear and feel.

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This is a picture of my friend Kalie at the pond where we did the Two by Two in Nature activity.

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Day 2

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On day 2 we came into class and learned that a haiku is a form of poetry about nature where the first and last line have 5 syllables and the the middle line has 7. After learning about the form, we looked up an image to use as our inspiration and wrote our own.

"A late afternoon

daisies, basking in the shade

cool, refreshing air."

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This is my final Haiku poem.

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After we wrote our poems we went to Cox Arboretum and did a Scavenger Hunt. One of the tasks we were set out to complete was to eat 3 plants from the edible garden. I felt a little sketched out by the idea of eating unwashed leaves that might have dirt or bungs on them but once I saw some of friends trying them I decided it was okay. Although it rained pretty hard when we first arrived and it was cold the whole time, it was a really fun experience, especially because I was with my friends. 

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Day 3

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On the third day we worked with a group to create a River Poem after employees form the City of Dayton Water Maintenance came in and taught us about the importance of water quality. 

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Here is the poem:

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This is the creek, calm and directing that flows in my backyard.

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These are the fish, luminescent and scaly that swim in the creek, calm and directing that flows in my backyard.

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These are the plants, lively and plentiful that feed the fish, luminescent and scaly that swim in the creek, calm and directing that flows in my backyard.

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This is the sand, course and grainy that holds the plants, lively and plentiful that feed the fish, luminescent and scaly that swim in the creek, calm and directing that flows in my backyard.

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These are the rocks, rugged and grey, that form the sand, course and grainy that holds the plants, lively and plentiful that feed the fish, luminescent and scaly that swim in the creek, calm and directing that flows in my backyard.

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This is the drain, metal and enduring, which flows over the rocks, rugged and grey, that form the sand, course and grainy that holds the plants, lively and plentiful that feed the fish, luminescent and scaly that swim in the creek, calm and directing that flows in my backyard.

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These are the roads, cracked and eroded, that lead to the drain, metal and enduring, which flows over the rocks, rugged and grey, that form the sand, course and grainy that holds the plants, lively and plentiful that feed the fish, luminescent and scaly that swim in the creek, calm and directing that flows in my backyard.

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This is the rain, heavy and cool, which falls onto the roads, cracked and eroded, that lead to the drain, metal and enduring, which flows over the rocks, rugged and grey, that form the sand, course and grainy that holds the plants, lively and plentiful that feed the fish, luminescent and scaly that swim in the creek, calm and directing that flows in my backyard.

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Day 4

 

On the fourth day we listened to the inspiring author Cheryl Strayed talk about her book "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail" and her experience.  We planned our own 10-15 day hike and had to create a list of our essentials to take. Then we calculated the weight and had to put some workout weights in a backpack to see if we would be able to carry it. I learned a lot about how mentally straining, as well as physically it must be to carry everything you need on a trip. I don't think I would be able to do it. You also have little to no contact with anyone, which would be challenging mentally.

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My pack included:

passport, journal, wallet

2 pairs of gloves

2 hats

toiletries

sunscreen

bugspray

compass

map

rain gear

headlamp

first aid kit

knife

tent

sleeping bag

sleeping pad

pillow

2 water bottles

pack cover

water filter

warm clothing (4 sets)

parka

matches

toilet paper

quick dry towel

tarp

utensils

sunglasses

food bag

food (33 meals worth)

fuel

stove

sunglasses

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My pack ended up weighing 37.65 lbs.

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Day 5

 

On the fifth day we learned about water biology and chemistry. We tested for pH and temperature. We examined organisms and caught fish. I learned that there are 3 different groups of organisms in water and you can tell what is wrong with the water source by examining what groups are missing. It is important to keep track of what groups are missing so you can figure out what factor is missing, and discover where the problem lies and fix it. We went on e hike to examine local flora and fauna. Lastly, we went to the nature center and a rat snake was passed around for holding. It was in that moment that everyone discovered how terrified of snakes I am. 

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Here is a picture of me trying to catch some fish.

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Day 6

 

On the sixth day we went to Carriage Hill MetroPark. We began out day by learning a little bit about 19th century farming and all of the responsibilities that were stuck on children. Before we went on the field trip we created a narrative about the 19th century.

"I work tirelessly on my uncle’s farm all spring, summer, and fall. I am the man of the house now and I am only 13. My uncle passes away after he was plowing the final acre of land when a horse got agitated and took his anger out on him.

Bathe animals, milk cows, collect eggs, build fences, fix fences, till the garden, and when you think you are done, do it all over again. Seems difficult right, no, that is not even half of it. Trim Hooves, deliver baby animals, plant and maintain crops, organize tools, water plants, sweep up messes, and never forget to gather eggs. I do everything around here.

I never get a break as the oldest man on the farm. Sometimes I like to sit under a shady tree behind the smoke house and watch the birds. They are fascinating! I watch as they dip, soar, and fly right by. Blue jays, Robins, Chickadees, gorgeous until my Aunt and Sister come outside to hang the laundry on the line and they fly away. I set out seed so I can watch them longer but the hens end up getting to it before the birds can almost daily. I wonder what it feels like to fly. Flying, that reminds me, I need to go to the Hen House and gather eggs for tomorrow."

I learned that the 19th century was not easy. Children were expected to take care of the farm and if they were to mess up, everything could crumble.

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Here is a picture of me enjoying my homemade farm meal.

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Day 8

 

On the 8th day we walked to Delco Park where we met the author Rob Boley and artist Amy Anderson. We did an selectivity where we looked at a 1 foot by 1 foot square, standing up, kneeling, then lying on our stomach and honestly, it was upsetting. 

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Delco park was beautifully disgusting. Probably more beautiful than disgusting though. 

 

What made it disgusting was the fact that there were Marlboro cigarette butts covering the ground where little animals like birds, bunnys, or ducks could swallow them and die.

 

It made me so mad because at parks and stuff, they have designated smoking areas. They would not have spent the money that they did on those posts if they did not intend for them to be used!

 

That is putting animals in danger!

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This made me want to make a difference for the environment. I want to start making sure every piece of trash I walk past gets picked up.

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Here is a picture of us walking to the park.

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Day 9

 

On the 9th day we began by writing a "Recipe for a River" poem.

Here is mine:​ 

"To make a river it takes, 200 gallons of mucky water, a swirling current, thousands of rocks, 245 fish, and 50 cups of algae.

And you can’t forget 12 water snakes.

Fish will do, if snakes are few."

When we went kayaking we focused on listening deliberately. I chose to listen for 3 minutes in silence in the sunlight about 2 miles into our trip. I heart some of the other students having conversations, but I was bale to focus on what sounded like 3 different bird calls, and I heard some splashing of paddles. In the future, I will continue to listen deliberately because it helps you realize what is happening in the moment. 

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