Penfield Students Explore the Connections between Bears, Salmon & Local Ecosystems

Students in Mrs. Carly’s Grade 3/4 class at Penfield Elementary have been taking a closer look at the important connections between bears, salmon and the ecosystems around us.

Over several weeks, students explored the topic through hands-on activities, research, artwork and habitat dioramas. They also had a unique opportunity to examine real bear research artifacts loaned to the class by grizzly bear researcher Lana Ciarniello.

The learning culminated in a classroom museum where students became the experts, sharing their projects and discoveries with other classes at Penfield.

Families also had a chance to visit the museum during student-led conferences, giving students another opportunity to proudly share what they had learned.

The project brought together science, creativity and hands-on learning, while helping students build a deeper understanding of the relationships between wildlife and the local environment.