Blog # 14

I did 4 different service learning experiences.  My first experience was with the elementary school children in a school program – The Science Night – Nature and Science combined.  I worked with the St. Johns River Water Management as we demonstrated how we get the water we drink.  This was particularly interesting because there was a demonstration to watch and then once the children watched the demonstration they got their treat.  Their treat was a combination of ice, lime soda, chocolate ice cream, lime soda and then green sprinkles.  Included:  a straw to drink it all up!  Each represented a layer of the earth.  I learned that an aquifer is an underground layer of rock, such as gravel or sand, and groundwater is then extracted using what is called a water well.  We were having fun.

My second and third experience was with the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens.  A group of about 20-25 volunteers cleaned up the gardens by pulling large weeds, cutting down small trees,  clearing the trails up a bit and even learning a bit about specific plants.  This was a very sweaty, hot and labor intensive job.  I was totally amazed at the before and after.  Most of the works in these gardens are done by volunteers.  Later I went back to register the guests and help in what they called the Owl Hunt.  The Gardens had a bonfire and then 3 separate nature walks to look for owls and learn about the land.  I also helped with the keeping the kids that participate on the trails and not roaming in the wooded area.  I did learn what poison ivy looked like during this time.  This was one of the areas that we cleaned up. 

My fourth experience was with the St. Johns River Water Management team again doing a trash clean up.  We went to an area called Butcher Pen Creek that had homes, a church, and a day care surrounding it.  The results were in and they had 39 volunteers come out with a total of 100 hours.  The collection was 70 full trash bags, 13 grocery carts, 2 tires, 2 barricades, some chairs and buckets, an ice chest, a file box and a safe – which was empty.  In addition, my daughter found the most unusual item – a blue bowling ball.  Her reward for coming along and cleaning up with mom – she got to take it home with her.  I requested photos but didn't get any to post with this service learning project. 

I think my most rewarding learning experience had to be working with the elementary school children and showing them how we get our drinking water.  The question constantly asked to these juveniles was, “What can you do to conserve water?”  I did learn even more – the response a bunch of these kids gave was, “Put water in a jug.”  I had to think hard on this as to why that would be considered conserving water?  Well, if you put it in a jug, you are not running the water trying to get it cold and constantly turning the faucet on when you want to drink it!  You just pour it out of the jug!!  Instant conservation!