The trip began with a morning tour of the bird trail of the park, where park ranger Paul Jaure shared his knowledge of all the plant species at Choke Canyon. The students learned how the Indians used to use the plants around them for purposes such as medicine, food, shelter, dyes, weapons, etc.
Jaure also taught students how these plants are used in recent times for food and industrial purposes. He explained how they could use these plants for means of survival if they were ever lost or stranded away from civilization. They learned which berries and plants were edible and which roots could be used for pain killers.
After the tour on the bird trail, the students were able to proceed with their biodiversity experiment.
In this experiment, they had to create grids to place in randomly selected areas of the park. They used these grids to calculate the different numbers of species of plants and animals inhabiting the area. It was an amazing experience to be able to see the numerous plants and animals that occupy our local park.
After lunch, ranger Larry Holmes gave a presentation on the different reptile species of Choke Canyon. Assisted by Jaure, he showed the students live species of frogs, snakes, and turtles that made this environment their home. They learned about the threatened Texas Leopard Frog and were able to handle a rattle snake-eating blue indigo snake.
By the end of the day, the students were surprised to learn that the plants and animals of Choke Canyon were so diverse that they could be used in hundreds of ways for medicinal, agricultural, and industrial purposes.
The biotechnology and environmental science classes are in their first year at George West High School and are off to a great start.
Mrs. Glenda Locke’s biotechnology class focuses on the process of using living things in industrial, agricultural, medical, and other technological applications. The class involves many hands-on experiments dealing with the manipulation of these living things for production purposes.
Their field trip to Choke Canyon proved to be a wonderful learning experience for this type of class because they were able to finish their studies on “ancient biotechnology”. This involves how biotechnology was used before the discovery of DNA in the 1950’s. Mrs. Elaine Hinchcliff’s environmental science class focuses on environmental systems, this trip proving to be perfect for the class’s studies.
The class was in their study of biodiversity, the study of how many different species of organisms live together and interact in one ecosystem. Because of the vast diversity of plants and animals at Choke Canyon, the students of the environmental science class were able to complete their studies with success.
The biotechnology and environmental science classes would like to thank park rangers Paul Jaure and Larry Holmes for their wonderful presentations and for taking the time out of their schedules to share their vast knowledge about their fields of expertise.
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