By Special to the Intermountain Catholic

The 7th- and 8th-grade students from Blessed Sacrament School recently returned from their trip to the Teton Science School, a unique educational experience in Grand Teton National Park’s outdoor classroom.

During their five-day stay, students explored the unique Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.

Following their interests and imagination, each group of students designed and completed a field research project that explored macro-invertebrates and water quality, and worked to develop their own research questions, hypotheses and researched methods as a team.

Beyond doing science in the field, the students learned the importance of the responsibilities that come with being part of a “Community of Caring;” developed and improved teamwork, leadership, communication, and problem solving skills and learned new things about themselves in the process.

By connecting with community and nature, students were offered new perspectives on how to relate to the natural world.
Mrs. Lindmar, middle school science teacher, summarized the experience with a quote from Albert Einstein: “All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man’s life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individual towards freedom.”

Photo courtesy of Blessed Sacrament School