In the Environmental Studies Class students are taught about their local environment. The year is broken into several units including, soils, water quality, water quality indicators, fisheries, fish anatomy and physiology, current issues, wildlife, bird identification, forestry, and best land use management. Students are outside as much as is possible to make the class a hands on learning experience. A field trip to the Salmon River Fish Hatchery in Altmar NY is made yearly during the annual salmon run. At the end of the year the students will spend an afternoon teaching the fifth grade class from both HPE and GWF. This year students will be working with Trout Unlimited, SUNY Morrisville, and the NYS DEC to continue to reestablish brook trout populations in local streams where they have been extirpated. This is a great opportunity to learn about fisheries, public relations, and stewardship of the local environment.
In the Living Environment class students are taught biological topics that both satisfy the requirements for the Regents exam and also to prepare them for college coursework. Students are also taught how to study, write lab reports, and link concepts through thought rather than memorization. Students are given examples whenever possible that relate to their interests and that address the different learning styles that are found in most classes.
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