Field Notes

Lake Adventure Day lives up to its name as 605 4^th-grade students gathered in Winona Lake Limitless Park over two days last week. Students from 10 elementary schools explored scientific aspects of local lakes like erosion, watersheds, and fish. Lake Adventure Day is a partnership between the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams and the Grace College School of Education.

Corwin B. is a local 4^th grader who attends Washington STEM Academy. Like many students his age, Corwin enjoys swimming in the lakes and looking for wildlife that inhabits them. However, Lake Adventure Day is an opportunity for Corwin to dive into lake science while on the shores of Winona Lake. He particularly enjoyed the lesson on pollution.

This lesson received a significant upgrade this year. Thanks to support from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, three new “enviroscapes” helped students understand what a watershed is and how pollutants can affect local waterways. Sprinkles and other items represent pollutants; students use spray bottles to “make it rain” and then make observations about where those pollutants end up.

Senior students from the School of Education receive training from Lilly Center staff several weeks in advance. They receive instructions on using unique tools like sand tables, enviroscapes, and fishing poles. During Lake Adventure Day, twenty senior students lead their lessons with the help of freshmen college students.

Dr. Rachael Hoffert, Elementary Education Chair, enjoys watching her students take their skills from the classroom to the lakeshore. “Lake Adventure Day is a unique experience for our senior students to have hands-on teaching opportunities and develop their teaching craft throughout the day. Our freshman students do a fantastic job assisting our seniors during the lessons. Plus, freshman students look forward to their turn teaching in a few years!”

The future of Kosciusko County’s lakes depends on students like Corwin. By empowering future leaders with data and tools today, they will be equipped to make positive choices that impact our waterways for years to come.

Lake Adventure Day is possible thanks to a collaboration with Warsaw Community Schools, Lakeland Christian Academy, and Sacred Heart. Education programs like Lake Adventure Day are sponsored by The Papers, DePuy-Synthes, City of Warsaw Stormwater Utility, Warren and August Hume Foundation, and Zimmer-Biomet Foundation.