WWW . CAROROLLING . COM caro . rolling @ gmail . com • 704-287-9924
Planting little giants Olympic High biology students plant three Sequoia clones
Paul Greenleaf , a biology teacher at Renaissance at Olympic High , has a creative way of bringing the outdoors into his classroom . A variety of preserved tree trunks are displayed throughout his room and he uses them to teach about genetics , plant hormones , cloning and tree conservation . This year , Greenleaf wanted to add a hands-on component to his lesson . “ A few years ago , I read an article in Reader ’ s Digest that caught my attention ,” said Greenleaf . “ It was about David Milarch , a nurseryman , who was determined to clone huge ancient trees — such as the remaining giant Sequoias native to California . I reached out to his organization ArchAngel Ancient Tree Archive to ask if they would donate one or two tree clones .”
The non-profit organization said they would donate three cloned Sequoia saplings , also known as redwoods . The saplings would be coming from a tree stump more ancient than the Egyptian pyramids .
“ I was ecstatic when I received the email ,” said Greenleaf . “ Then I realized we would need help from local organizations in order to make this happen .”
Greenleaf reached out to Trees Charlotte , Heartwood Tree Service , Rainbow Treecare and Queen ’ s Crown and received their support . One major challenge was the soil . The dirt at Olympic was largely dense , red clay , which would not provide the saplings with the structure or nutrients to survive . The organizations partnered to take soil tests and alter the school ’ s soil to accept the trees .
” We ’ re taking a deep dive into cells and what they actually do ,” said Connor Thomas , a 10thgrader . “ We ’ re also learning about soil pH and its function in tree growth . It ’ s interesting stuff .”
On March 18 , to celebrate the state ’ s Arbor Day , Greenleaf , his students and members of the organizations came together to plant the little giants . After the redwoods are established , they could grow 10 feet a year .
“ One of my favorite things about Mr . Greenleaf ’ s class is the experiments but the planting is something that will last ,” said 10th-grader Lastasa Miller . “ I ’ m glad we got to do it .” Connor said he ’ ll bring his family back one day . “ We ’ ll have a picnic in the shade of a redwood , at my old high school ,” Connor said . “ How cool is that ?”
Distance learning gets closer Video conferencing offers a more connected classroom
seminar for her students . They were able to speak with experts and view a medical procedure and they were joined by other high school students and professionals from other states .
Bianca Desai , a 10th-grader , said she often watches shows like “ NCIS ” and “ Bones ” because she is interested in criminology and forensics . Purser ’ s seminar offered an experience aligned with her interests . Classmate Chloe Dolin found the experience enjoyable in another way .
“ I found out a lot of information pertaining to the human body and careers within the field of pathology ,” said Chloe . “ Because of the seminar , I know I would not like to work within that field . I ’ m more interested in a career in preventive medicine .” This is the first time Purser has used video conferencing in her classroom . “ I plan to use it again ,” said Purser . “ It ’ s real-time , face-to-face interactions with those who know the topic best .”
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools brings interactive learning into today ’ s classrooms in many ways . One way is by offering video conferencing . Video conferencing can break down barriers of time , distance and expense by connecting people from all areas of the globe in real time , just as the internet does .
Schools can use technology to talk to authors , visit zoos to learn about endangered species and speak with students and teachers who live in other parts of the country or world . Technology has made it possible to do all this from a classroom or computer lab .
“ Many of our schools use video conferencing ,” said Dr . Hope Kohl , the CMS director of virtual learning , media services and PreK-12 academic support . “ Military & Global Leadership Academy has used it to connect students to experts from NASA . Harding and West Mecklenburg high schools have used it to connect school-to-school . Video conferencing offers teachers endless possibilities .”
The School of Biotechnology , Heath & Public Administration at Olympic High has embraced video conferencing to help students gain insight into particular areas of study . Earlier in the school year , teacher Susan Purser held a medical
Caro Rolling Camp
Send them where they want to go this summer ... Roller Coasters and Water Slides ... ages 10-17 Convenient bus pickup near your area .
WWW . CAROROLLING . COM caro . rolling @ gmail . com • 704-287-9924
Parent Teacher News • May / June 2016 • 5