It is amazing to see how much they have learned about individual prairie grasses and forbs. Docents help older students collect data about the prairie ecosystem. Since nets are popular, students love to collect and identify water creatures and sweep the fields for insects. They keep tabs on the development of the student prairie plot by conducting quadrat and abiotic studies. Groups of students select a section of the prairie, drop a square meter marker over the tall plants and carefully identify and count all the plants.
Docents also assist students in the lab.
Imagine 40 excited 7th graders creating their own pond and watching to see if it lives or dies, using microscopes to explore all sorts of little things, examining seeds, twigs, skulls and live insects. Docents have an easier time with the weather when it comes to physics tours. Students visit the 15th floor, the Linac and Main Control Room and meet with a scientist. Many of these talented docents share their interest throughout the summer as well, teaching Science Adventure classes. Without our experienced classroom teachers and experts, there would be no Science Adventures.