NEWS RELEASE:
GALION – Fourth year science teacher, and Galion alumna, Amy Tyree was ecstatic when administrators at Galion High School approached her about the possibility of creating a new Environmental Science course at GHS.
The goal of the new course is to offer a higher-level physical science option in which students could apply scientific principles and laws from previous courses in physical science, biology, and chemistry. Students analyze and interpret data relating to the past, present, and future of the planet.
“My students know this is such a passion for me and have willingly signed up to share part of their senior year with me, exploring our outdoor campus and learning how to live an environmentally sustainable life,” said Tyree. “I am able to utilize experience gained over the past 25 years ranging from working as an educator at the Columbus Zoo with Jack Hanna to many hours of graduate work and personal time spent pouring over research.”
Topics of study in the course include Earth’s history, the atmosphere, oceans, ecosystems, agriculture, population dynamics, energy challenges, and climate change. Student-driven, individual research projects coinciding with community service projects are highly encouraged.
“I’m planning to major in Environmental Science at the University of Toledo after graduation,” said Colten Skaggs, senior at Galion. “The one thing I’ve learned from this course so far is that you need to have an open mind and be willing to try comprehending new ideas.”
The “Toilet Tissue Timeline project” was a relative timeline of major geological events in Earth’s history. Students created visual representations of these events and placed them on a 67-foot-long toilet tissue timeline.
“I learned when certain animals and plants existed, and when certain objects and events happened on Earth,” said Clarissa Castle, senior at GHS. “The completed timeline was completely different than my previous thoughts.”
This activity helped students gain perspective as to how our geological record is interpreted by scientific research. This understanding of basic principles of geology and scientific methods of research will lay the foundation for future topics being explored during the course.
“Seeing the timeline really put everything into perspective,” said Marisa Gwinner, senior at GHS. “Seeing how long-ago events happened on Earth was mind blowing because we can’t imagine billions of years, but you could relatively see it in the timeline.”
“I think it is important to offer courses that build upon prior knowledge and serve to bridge the unintentional gap formed between the realms of the physical and biological sciences,” said Tyree. “They truly go hand in hand, and I enjoy seeing the students make those connections.”