The Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) was a field trip that I have recently been on. It all started when at 9:00, the school called the people that were going on the field trip to the cafeteria. Later, we would board the 3 buses and arrive at our final destination, Hidden Oaks Nature Center. The whole field trip would be split into 4 different parts when at the Nature Center.
The first part of the field trip was in the visitor center. There a presenter came and presented many different animals of Fairfax County. This would include the Eastern Box Turtle, Copperhead Snake, Snapping Turtles and much more. We also got to learn about the different types of benthic macroinvertebrates. They come in 3 different taxa, sensitive to pollution, somewhat sensitive to pollution and not sensitive to pollution.
The second part was when we learned about the Chesapeake Bay watershed as well as the world's total amount of drinking water. We also simulated pollution to the Chesapeake Bay's water by dumping various items into a small bowl of water, each representing a source of pollution.
Part number 3 was when we had to stewardship actions toward the site. We got split up into 2 groups, a group that dug holes and a group that cut down invasive trees, plants, and vines. I felt that this was the most exciting part of the field trip as I was having fun with friends chopping down invasives.
The last section was when we went down to the creek near the Nature Center and tried to catch some benthic macroinvertebrates. We took small nets which we would try to swing around in the water to try to catch some organisms. But, after many failed attempts, I gave up and just watched my friends fail as well.
In conclusion, the field trip wasn't the most exciting one but we could still learn many educational things from it.
The first part of the field trip was in the visitor center. There a presenter came and presented many different animals of Fairfax County. This would include the Eastern Box Turtle, Copperhead Snake, Snapping Turtles and much more. We also got to learn about the different types of benthic macroinvertebrates. They come in 3 different taxa, sensitive to pollution, somewhat sensitive to pollution and not sensitive to pollution.
The second part was when we learned about the Chesapeake Bay watershed as well as the world's total amount of drinking water. We also simulated pollution to the Chesapeake Bay's water by dumping various items into a small bowl of water, each representing a source of pollution.
Part number 3 was when we had to stewardship actions toward the site. We got split up into 2 groups, a group that dug holes and a group that cut down invasive trees, plants, and vines. I felt that this was the most exciting part of the field trip as I was having fun with friends chopping down invasives.
The last section was when we went down to the creek near the Nature Center and tried to catch some benthic macroinvertebrates. We took small nets which we would try to swing around in the water to try to catch some organisms. But, after many failed attempts, I gave up and just watched my friends fail as well.
In conclusion, the field trip wasn't the most exciting one but we could still learn many educational things from it.
