Students at the Center for Teaching and Learning took two field trips last week as part of their school-wide, yearlong study of water systems in science. Grades K-4 traveled to the Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve in New Harbor with marine scientist and kindergarten parent and Department of Marine Resources scientist, Robert Russell to explore a sampling of creatures and plant life found in tidal pools. That same afternoon, students in grades 5-8 studied the intertidal zones at Reid State Park where they measured water quality, used a GPS to mark their survey spot, completed quadrat transects, and filled out Gulf of Maine Institute Vital Signs data sheets; the kids found, listed, and identified as many species with extra attention to invasives, including green crab, sea potato, heterosiphonia japonica, and invasive periwinkles. Throughout the year, the middle school students will be working as citizen-scientists; they will collect data and share it with scientists at the University of New Hampshire, Northeastern, the University of Rhode Island and the Shoals Marine Lab.

The Center for Teaching and Learning is an independent, K-8 demonstration school located in Edgecomb. To learn more, visit our website (www.c-t-l.org) or find us on Facebook (CTLKto8). Those interested in having their children attend CTL, contact Scott MacDonald at 882-9706 to attend a morning meeting and see the students in action.