YOU ARE HERE: Central Kentucky Home→Collections

Science Day brings Garrard students to Logan-Hubble

May 09, 2005|BOBBIE CURD

LANCASTER - "We have over 300 elementary students here - right now," said Jane VanHook with a bright smile and an equally bright daisy painted on her cheek. VanHook, a Garrard County High School teacher of biology, had just finished her visit with the face painting station where her high school students functioned as the artists.

She explained how Science Day works, an eight-year-old event held at Logan-Hubble Park Memorial Park in Garrard and Lincoln counties.

There were four stations set up for the children, VanHook said, that they rotated to and from throughout the day. Water watch, a station set up next to the park's lake, included fishing that was supervised by employees of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. "That's the area that is sometimes hard to pry the kids away from," VanHook joked, stating that once the kids catch a fish, they've caught the bug for fishing.

Tables in that area displayed various aquatic life samples and PH testing kits, manned by high school students who instructed younger students.

Kathy Ward, an employee of the state Division of Water, stood by while the kids gathered around the table getting a bit closer to nature than she had anticipated.

"It's already gotten two different adults that were out here earlier, but thank goodness they were wearing jeans," Ward said, referring to the overly aggressive goose who circled the table of children and continued to honk - loudly. The kids all laughed, but stepped away quickly when the goose approached them.

"I bring all of my high school classes here if they're not testing, and they are the group leaders for the smaller children. It works out wonderfully," VanHook said.

River ecology and field ecology stations were throughout the park, and an area referred to as "Pond and Drama," which included a stage also was there.

State Fish and Wildlife, Soil Conservation and the Division of Water were also big helps throughout the day, VanHook said.

"We are able to do this with the help of so many people, plus money from the Blue Grass PRIDE grant."

|

|

|