CREST HAVEN – There’s something about a classroom that contains snakes, lizards, fish, turtles, and baby chicks.
According to a release from the Cape May County Technical High School, this environment opens up a whole new world of wonder for students.
In early April, Gina Lanza, Ocean Academy special education teacher and Outdoor Experiential Education Program coordinator, and her students arrived at the Cape May County Technical High School for a hands-on classroom educational experience.
Cape Tech Natural Science students and Hanna Toft, teacher of the Natural Science program of study, welcomed the group to their lively classroom.
The Cape Tech students mentored the younger students by answering questions and explaining each animal and how to safely handle them. The indoor lessons included exploring the various fish species in each student’s tank, holding baby chicks and observing the reptiles and amphibians including turtles, snakes and lizards.
Lanza and Toft planned and coordinated the annual educational experience for their students including an outdoor environmental marsh scavenger hunt, trail walk, and tour of the indoor laboratory/classroom.
After the Tech students discussed a lesson on the marsh and water safety, the group went outside for a marsh scavenger hunt and trail walk. The activities were scheduled for two weeks of morning and afternoon sessions.
