4 EDCAL December 7, 2015
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CA ‘Young Naturalist’ studies aquatic habitat
Even in this day and age, there are many questions about the
world we live in to which we seek answers. Can hurricane activity be accurately predicted? How smart is the average goldfish?
What’s the best way to fight a deadly fungus?
These are some of the questions 12 student scientists
explored through the American Museum of Natural History’s
18th and final Annual Young Naturalist Awards, a nationwide
science-based research and essay competition for students in
grades 7-12.
California was represented in the competition by Ashley
Anderson, 14, an eighth grade student at Adams Middle
School in Redondo Beach. Her study was on “Harboring a
Problem with Dissolved Oxygen Levels.”
Her study began when millions of sardines died in King
Harbor on March 8, 2011, and Ashley sought to find the cause.
Through her research, she discovered that oxygen levels were
vitally important indicators for healthy aquatic habitats and that
low oxygen levels can lead to massive fish die-offs.
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dent, association president and principal, I
have learned the power of partnerships, and
I am eagerly working toward sustainability
of the ILC’s efforts.
My superintendent, association president, principal, a colleague and I left Orange
County to “make a difference,” and that
is exactly what I felt we were able to do.
When I tell the people around me about the
partnership that our district, union and staff
share, and how it is cornered around trust,
vision and time, they tend to have a look of
surprise – not realizing that partnerships do,
indeed, exist.
The trusting relationships we have built
are centered around a strong vision for
student success and have instilled and cultivated the need to spend the extra hours –
time – to collaborate, share, build and grow.
Traveling by kayak, Ashley tested 32 sites divided into eight
different zones at varying distances from the open ocean. In
addition to dissolved oxygen, she recorded temperature, salinity and turbidity at each zone four times on four separate days.
Her findings bore out her hypothesis that the dissolved oxygen
levels were generally lower with increased distance from the
open ocean.
“The Redondo Beach King Harbor proved itself susceptible
to massive fish kills due to its low oxygen levels, problematic shape and limited flushing,” Ashley said in a press release.
“Based on my findings, I am most concerned about low dissolved oxygen levels in zone 1, which were on average 4.5 mg/l.
Slightly below this level, at 4mg/l, certain species could become
stressed and move to a different area.”
“The winners of the Young Naturalist Awards demonstrate
a true passion for science research and communication and are
exemplars for what young people are capable of,” said Rosamond
Kinzler, the museum’s senior director for science education.
The collaborative partnership among
the Fullerton School District, Fullerton
Elementary Teachers Association and two
CTA ILC members started during the
spring of 2014 when ILC teacher members
Tricia Hyun and Jason Chong gained the
support and trust of their district and union
with staff development opportunities and
more.
Professional development included providing the district’s teachers with opportunities to learn about technology in the
classroom, instructional shifts, CCSS,
STEM, and the CDE’s Digital Library.
During the ILC year-one, the district provided opportunities for the two
Fullerton members to present to iCoaches,
a group of staff development leaders within
the district. Aside from the support of providing rooms, teachers, support and encouragement, the district additionally provided
substitute teachers and snacks during the
ILC staff developments. The district and
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union did not stop the support at year-one,
but instead, added value with a whole new
level of year-two support.
The ILC has not only given me a chance
to make a difference in the lives of fellow
teachers, but also has given me a chance to
make a difference in my own professional
life, through lasting partnerships.
I know that the project’s success will
depend on my ability to work alongside my
district and staff. I know the project’s success will depend on professional collaborations that take place between administration
and me. I know that the project’s success
will depend on placing students at the top
of the list – focusing on what is in their best
interest.
Other project partners as well as funders
include the S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation,
California Education Policy Fund, National
Education Association, Silicon Valley
Community Foundation and the Stuart
Foundation.
Coastline ROP has selected John Steven
“ J.S.” Coke as its new director of curriculum, instruction and