Paddling into the Classroom
Claire Murphy, CitySprouts Summer Intern [Forest Foundation]
“Look at the riverbank! IT’S A TURTLE!” Green Team participants cried out in excitement, paddling their kayaks to get a closer look.
Green Team learn about the history of the Charles River from Mass Audubon guide, Paul Kelley
During the Science of Gardening session, the youth at our Cambridge sites PAUS and CSUS had the opportunity to participate in a kayak trip along the Charles River, learning about the history of the river. On this field trip, students observed biodiversity along the river and practiced leadership and teamwork skills in order to navigate the water in tandem kayaks. Youth kayaked from Magazine Bridge to the Harvard Bridge and back, stopping along the way to discuss the way the river has been changed by human intervention over the years and how the associated ecosystem was affected. They learned about the effects of changing the river from saltwater to freshwater, the history of pollution in the river and the way that these shifts have impacted biodiversity, including the presence of micro-organisms.
This field trip provided a unique opportunity for the youth. For many, this was their first time kayaking, expressing a variety of emotions like excitement and nerves before the trip. As we arrived and began to set off in kayaks under the guidance of Mass Audubon staff, students began to find joy and curiosity in the experience. Soon, students were laughing and chatting as they paddled along the river with the beautiful cityscape before them. As they rowed along, they pointed out observations and asked questions about the things they saw in the water and along the shore.
By the end of the trip, it was exciting to see pairs who took longer to move easily along the water chanting “Left, right, left, right!”
and to see youth who had initially been hesitant about getting in the water gasping in delight as they saw a turtle on the riverbank. Beyond building teamwork and cooperation, this trip gave students the chance to experience their natural environment in a whole new way. Being on the water drew them to notice things they never would have observed in the classroom, giving them a new perspective on the Charles River, an important landmark of their community.
Weekly field trips like this one are what makes the Green Team Summer Program an impactful blend of exploration, learning and nature connection.
These trips take place throughout the city and supplement the curriculum each week, allowing youth to learn in hands-on and active environments. Lessons on flower anatomy and plant reproduction were emphasized through visits to the glass flower exhibit in the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Students saw pollinators in their natural environments on a hike through the Blue Hills and witnessed firsthand the importance of urban greenspaces at the Mount Auburn Cemetery. Not only do these trips enhance students’ learning of the curriculum, but they also allow them to experience exciting educational resources around the city, get out of their comfort zones and take on more leadership roles.