Local Service-Learning Project for Geology Students
Mr. Rick Landry’s geology classes engaged in a local service-learning project at Skyline Park yesterday while exploring the topic of habitat restoration.
A group of 25 juniors and seniors planted 128 oak trees before participating in a forest survey. They planted a mix of black oaks, coast live oaks, and valley oaks in an area near the archery range and along the Manzanita Trail.
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After planting, students gathered data on much older trees, calculated the diameter of the trees from measuring the circumference, and their height by applying trigonometry that they'd learned in their geometry classes. The diameter and height was then used to calculate how much carbon storage these trees could do, and estimate how much today's plantings would be able to do in the future.
Instructor Mr. Landry was pleased with the results of the fieldtrip. “We managed to get a bit of igneous rock geology in there as well, with most of the trail we worked near being made from weathered volcanic rock. It was great to see the students identifying characteristics they'd learned in the classroom out in the field.”
Justin-Siena High School
Justin-Siena is a Lasallian Catholic college preparatory community that serves young people in grades 9–12.