The 7th grade students of Montgomery Lonsdale High School recently spent a day at the Ney Nature Center, just outside of Henderson, MN on May 19th. The field trip was planned to supplement the Life Science curriculum for 7th grade students at MLHS. The students are beginning a study of ecology and were able to take their learning outside of the classroom to get an up-close look at the natural world. The Ney Center Director, Becky Pollack, worked with 7th grade Life Science teacher Becky Nelson, to coordinate the day’s events for the 7th grade class.

In all, four learning sessions were held, with student groups rotating between the sessions. One learning session involved planting trees, with a volunteer botany expert and Board Member at the NNC, Jim Weber. Another session included orienteering and compass skills with volunteer and Board Member at the NNC, Ollie Heitkamp, while a third session had students carrying out a pond study. Students took water samples, searched for, and later identified, macro invertebrate life. After three small group sessions, the day was wrapped up by Art and Barb Straub. The Straubs are regional experts in the history of the southern Minnesota River Valley region, as well as all the wildlife that formerly and currently inhabits the area. Overall, the students responded positively to all of the sessions and represented their school and community very well.

The entire 7th grade class and staff at MLHS would like to extend a big THANK YOU to Mr. Greg Morgan, and 1st National Bank of Montgomery for their monetary donation which made this field trip possible for the students. Without the donations, the cost of the field trip would have made the trip out of reach for many. However, every 7th grade student was able to attend and take their learning to a whole new level. We are fortunate to have such supportive members and businesses in the community to help fund these important learning experiences for students.