Woodland elementary students study at Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge

WOODLAND — Woodland Public Schools’ elementary students took part in hands-on science experiments at the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge and explored the Columbia River by canoe thanks to a grant from the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership.

Heidi Kleser, a third grade teacher at North Fork Elementary School, secured the grant for both North Fork and Columbia Elementary School students through her long partnership with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership.

Field trips serve as a powerful tool for students to build a solid foundation of knowledge and experiences. Unlike classroom-based learning, these trips allow students to immerse themselves in real-world environments, enabling them to develop a deeper understanding of various subjects.

Effective field trips are carefully planned to align with the curriculum, reinforcing and extending classroom learning. The trip to the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge was designed to complement the Next Generation Science Standards, with a focus on studying ecosystems.

During their time in the field at Burnt Bridge Creek, students studied macro invertebrates and planted trees. While eating lunch, the class saw a bald eagle soaring overhead.

While exploring the Columbia River, students paddled the Lake River in replica Native American canoes, identifying birds and their calls as well as other critters living along the riverbank.