Harmony Explores the Pacific NW: Day 2

Day 2: Tides, Marine Mammals, & Abstract Art

Rialto Beach, Washington Coast

Educator Tyler & First Mate Julian showed the group precisely where they were located on the Pacific Northwest coastline and also where they were headed. 

On your mark......

Seagull Race* winner will:

a.) Run as fast as one can

b. ) Scream as loud as one can

*From an adult perspective, this sight will automatically bring a smile to your face & make you feel like a kid again.

Marinana, Amaris, Gaby & Marina humbly display their art project, which included a lost-at-sea flip-flop-filled-with-barnacles. #nuffsaid

JJ fought off an illness with determination, then basked in the beauty of this area with a new-found confidence. Props to this Wilderness Woman!!!

During the "Inter-tidal Awareness" game players were given an identity and they figured out "who am I? what do I eat"?! As Educator Tyler ran up and down the tidal zones, players awoke/slept and tried to eat/avoid their prey/predators. An all-inclusive stimulating challenge!


Anna

Sue & Anaid

Aruba, Julian, Jennifer, & JJ present their piece of art to the group. 

Celso, has traveled to the Channel Islands, California & Rocky Mountains, Colorado.
When in nature, Celso is in his element. His sweet demeanor, positive attitude, and natural curiosity make any educator eager to get students like Celso signed up for science trips!

Lizeth (& Anaid) enjoy claiming their presence on Rialto Beach, no matter how temporary the font may be.

Marina perches upon driftwood & imagines its' life and journey it took to arrive here.

The group meets to discuss goals and the plan for the day.

How old was this tree? Can you count the rings?

The rainy, cold conditions were rough but the students accepted what was with grace and fortitude. The resiliancy of the students' stamina impacted the adult educators and reminded us that our next generation is as solid as the trees that surround us.

To Tide Pool? or Not Tide Pool? Time will tell.

Bonding.

Five Limbs-Five Members.
Art by Hans, Nayeli, Samuel, Sue, & Felix.

Natural Art

It's hard to capture everything in a photo.

Anna, Ms. Safara, & Julian are geared up and ready to learn in nature. 

Ms. Scott & Gil look upon these incredible students who are naturally inquiring & exploring their terrain. Although this seems precisely what children need, these moments are rare. Nowadays, cell phones, video games, TV, & other distractions deter humans from their natural surroundings. These trips encourage hitting the "reset" button, and are a reminder that no matter how "far gone" one may be, nature is waitng for you.

The "We are all connected" game showed particpants that we are each a key component of the other. Neither man nor whale nor ocean could be what they are without the other.

Art in the making. 

Seagulls in human-form. 

The "Marine Food Web" lesson taught us the crutial concept that each living part of a food chain will impact the other parts.

Onward!

Thank you NatureBridge for helping out our gang with weather-related gear!

Ms. Scott takes a moment to view this place up-side-down. Having lived in the Pacific Northwest for a few years, her heart yearned to return to this region as soon and often as possible. Watching her students delve into these surrounds made her feel especially content.

The "Knock My Rock" game challenged participants to maintain balance, awareness of place, and quickness as they attempted to keep a rock resting on the top of their hands. The last player with a rock still in place wins! 

This was a fun game!

Mariana & Ms. Scott guard their rocks with keen awareness. 

Ms. Scott tries to attack Ithiels rock, but his rock ninja skills deter her success. 

It's easy to say, the HSE students left it ALL on Rialto Beach.

Ms. Scott & Ms. Safara smile for the camera, because....THIS IS WHAT WE CAME FOR!!!!!

Amaris & Jennifer, like sun & fire, rock this territory with smiles &determination in their eyes.

Anna & Julian

Vampire Threat: Moderate.

Final Silent Memories. 

The group enjoys flexible time before dinner & Evening Program (Night Hike) with a game of Uno or Jenga. 

After a FULL day, nobody could look forward to enduring the elements EVEN MORE during the scheduled "Night Hike". Let me tell you, IT WAS AWESOME! We had a couple hours to rest up, dry off, eat dinner, & drink hot tea. From 7:00-8:30 we did a "Sensory Awareness" hike when we trusted the member in front of each individual to relay obstacles (such as roots, puddles, tree, etc). We arrived to a moonlit opening in the forest, where we played "Whale-Fish" game using only a shaker & hearing to find prey. 

After other exercises involving visual science, we attempted to identify markers with limited light. After the activity was complete, students were able to illuminate and display their predictions. Animal adaptations including nocturnal components are a key player in an ecosystem. 

This was a trying yet successful day. The educators were so proud of the student attitudes & efforts. To bed we go, tomorrow is another big field day!