INDIANA DUNES

Indiana Dunes Field Trip

In the fall, Sycamore’s 5th Grade students traveled to Indiana Dunes National Park, the second year the grade has journeyed to the northern Indiana park. Middle School Language Arts teacher Beth Simpson is an excellent writer, so we share her words and details along with pictures taken by Sycamore teachers Brad Lowell, Trent Tormeohlen, and Leslie Obst, and parents who were chaperoning the field trip. “We arrived at camp Monday morning, got settled, and ate lunch. Students then divided into our trail groups and went on a hike, discussing the different ecosystems in the area: their traits, inhabitants, and various tools scientists might use when conducting research. While it was misting throughout our hike, the rain largely held off and had completely cleared by the time we returned to camp. “Each trail group created their research question for them to begin investigating on Tuesday’s all-day hike. After dinner Monday, groups did some background research and played a few games before going on a night hike. Our group heard a barred owl a couple of times, which was super cool. “In a fun-filled (and jam-packed) day two at the Dunes on Tuesday, we gathered after breakfast in our trail groups, all set for our

all-day hike and ready to investigate our research questions. We hiked a little over 4.5 miles through wetlands, an Eastern deciduous forest, one of the few remaining Oak savannas, and forested dunes, all while gathering data and charting our findings. “Midway through our hike, we made it to the beach where we lunched and played for a bit. After some free time and dinner, groups began compiling their research findings in preparation for our presentations Wednesday morning and returning to school Wednesday afternoon. “When students returned to Sycamore, the research poster projects were put on display outside Mr. Lowell’s science room for parents, students, and visitors to see.” •