CAYUGA, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— Eighth grade students from Vermillion County got to trade in the classroom for a day in nature as part of a field trip with Purdue Extension.
Morgan Lutz is the 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator with Purdue Extension in Vermillion County, and she discussed who all is involved in this field trip.
“We are having our thirty sixth annual Wetlands Day at Duke Energy,” Lutz said. “It’s got eighth grade students coming from Vermillion County schools, Dana Christian school and La Salette Academy. We invite all of those schools to come here. We have community partners with us to teach them all about the wetlands right on the Wabash River.”
Students got to visit eight different stations during the field trip. These stations taught them about all the different wildlife in the wetlands. They also got to visit with a conservation officer, learn about hydrology from the Vermillion County Soil and Water Conservation District and engineering. This trip is something South Vermillion 8th grader Mason Ruble has been looking forward to all year.
“When eighth grade started, I started looking forward to just learn more about the ecosystem and like how more stuff works,” Ruble said. “I do electric in 4H, so I know a lot about electric too.”
This field trip is possible thanks to the partnership Purdue Extension has with Duke Energy.
“They do a lot of the opening their doors,” Lutz said. “They do a lot of the maintenance on the wetlands here, and then they also get all of the equipment and they’re kind of behind the scenes, but they do a lot for us. It’s a great partnership.”
A field trip like this can help students learn, while not having to be in a traditional classroom.
“I love when students can get out of the classroom,” Lutz said. They can really learn hands on. I think that’s what learning is all about. Instead of sitting in a classroom, they can get out here, get hands on and I really hope that they learn a lot about the wetlands, but I hope that maybe this sparks an interest for a future career.”
To learn more about Purdue Extension in Vermillion County and about 4-H in Vermillion County, just visit their website.
