October 3, 2011

Hilton parent John Bateman, conservationist, leads nature walk along Salmon Creek

Hilton Village Elementary School fifth graders in teacher Krisann Craney's class are studying how organisms adapt throughout the year to changing environmental conditions.  This fall parent John Bateman, right, a graduate student at SUNY Brockport who holds undergraduate degrees in Biology and Environmental Science and on track to earn a doctorate in Conservation Biology, set out with the class to explore Salmon Creek.   

"We are starting our ecology unit now but actually continuing this learning all year long," said Ms. Craney.  "We walked along the banks on Salmon Creek which runs along district property at the Quest Elementary School.  When the students did their nature journals the next day I was amazed at the detail that they remembered. They were excited to use the field guides in the classroom to continue their learning.  The enthusiasm was evident and 'powerful' would be an excellent word to describe the experience."  

Read more and see photos: Ms. Craney's Classroom Website.