Welcome To Mt. Bachelor Academy

Oregon Zoo Field Trip

In November, Charyn McDonnell's Biology class was able to experience the Oregon Zoo from behind the scenes. The "Zoo Snooze" program included a tour of the zoo kitchen and hospital, a hands-on meeting with reptiles and insects, and a tour of the keepers' areas for many of the animals. Because of the unusual hour for the tour, many of the animals were curious about their late night visitors. The tigers actually tried to stalk us! The highlight of the tour was making an "enrichment" toy in the zoo's kitchen for the grizzly bear, then placing it and some other treats in his enclosure in the morning--after he was safely locked in his den, of course! The kids and staff enjoyed this rare opportunity to learn about the animals in such an unusual and exciting format.

Coastal Classroom

During the winter holiday Alternative Curriculum Week, 12 students went on a five-day experiential marine biology trip to the Oregon Coast. The students earned .25 credit in Biology while having a great time and a wonderful learning experience! The trip started with a visit to the Hatfield Marine Science Center, which is a part of Oregon State University. The students toured the center and participated in three different classes. The first class was a hands-on meeting with many of the creatures that live in northwest coastal tide pools, including purple sea urchins, green anemones, sea stars, crabs, and chitons. The students learned about these animals while holding them and observing their behavior. The students also dissected a squid, and we learned that we have some future surgeons! Other classes included learning about whale communication and exploring an estuary in Yaquina Bay. Later in the day, the students went to a real tide pool at Otter Rock and looked for the animals they studied earlier in the day. The following day included a visit to the Oregon Aquarium, where the students had a behind-the-scenes tour, which was even more exciting than the aquarium itself! Some highlights included seeing a holding tank full of leopard sharks and watching them being fed and standing at the top of Keiko's (of Free Willy fame) old tank, which has been converted to three giant aquariums that visitors walk through (as in having water 360 degrees around you). The students also enjoyed seeing the Yaquina Head lighthouse (which is supposed to be haunted) where they visited the interpretive center and watched for whales. The final day of the trip was spent returning to the tide pools, including man-made, handicapped accessible ones, and visiting downtown Newport and all the sea lions that frequent the docks there. The students also enjoyed going out for seafood two evenings. After dinner each evening, students participated in MBA teacher-developed activities, which included making a model to explain tides, creating a model tide pool, turning each other into a sea creature they had seen during the trip (you have to see the pictures of this!), and creating a dream catcher using items they collected from the beach throughout the trip. This successful experience proved to the students that you can learn and have fun at the same time!

Lisa Fairman

Learning Needs Coordinator

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