The Learning in Florida’s Environment (LIFE) education program is

designed to support the educational goals of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) through field-based, environmental-science enrichment programs at selected locations in Florida.  The program provides high quality, environmental support and outdoor educational experiences for resource poor rural schools, low performing schools, and schools with high percentages of underrepresented minorities in science and technology.  After two years of program implementation, the Program has evolve into the Gulf Alliance Project (GAP).  Using the LIFE model, GAP seeks to develop cultural competency through targeted science field experiences that address the specific needs of the school’s student population.

The program

provides real-world context for science and environmental education for both students and teachers. It focuses on developing the use of inquiry-based approaches and the development of program content, based on teacher and data identified student needs. DEP has provided funding for teacher substitutes, training, and supplies for field experiences.  The grant also provided funding for the transportation to a local state park to perform environmental field labs related to the local environment.

Last year, he program goes into full implementation with our LIFE teachers having all 6th graders.  The goal is to loop with this group of students through their 8th grade year and follow their academic achievement.  We are excited to begin a brand new year with brand new students and have them experience the extensive field activities we have planned for them. Chasco Middle School was selected as a LIFE pilot school for Pasco County to conduct field experiences in Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park in Port Richey, Florida. Chasco Middle’s program is the first LIFE program that is cross curricular.  Field experiences as well as pre- and post activities were designed to

incorporate content from science, math, social studies, and language arts.

To see last years visits click here.

2009/2010 Update!

This year the program goes into full implementation with our LIFE teachers having all 6th graders.  The goal is to loop with this group of students through their 8th grade year and follow their academic achievement.  We are excited to begin a brand new year with brand new students and have them experience the extensive field activities we have planned for them. 

See the labs conducted by the LIFE students on their first 2009-2010 Trip:

WBSSSP I (Observation and Inference).doc

WBSSSP I (Water Quality-Estuarine).doc

WBSSSP I (Outdoor Writing Lab).doc

To date, we have had over 100 students participate in the first round of field labs at the Park.  This year the first trip was conducted on October 27th-29th.  The second trip will be conducted from January 26th through the 28th and the third trip from April 20th through the 22nd.   

1st Field Experience-Marsh Trail:

The first field experience focused on the marsh habitats found within the park boundaries.  Three separate stations focused students on water quality sampling of the estuary, Outdoor Descriptive Writing, and Inference and Observation Skills.  At the water quality station students collected water samples and tested pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, clarity, salinity, and color.  Outdoor writing station had students explore spicy adjectives and descriptive words using items and observations found during the event. At the Observation and Inference station, students learned how to make good observations for use in collecting scientific data.

Click here to see photos of their 1st Field Experience!

2nd Field Experience-Upland Trail:

The second field experience will have students exploring a different section of the park.  This time the three stations will be Numbers in Nature (Fibonacci), Stormwater Quality, and Navigation Throughout Time (GPS).  At the Numbers station, students learn to look for patterns in nature.  Especially fibonacci patterns.  At the Stormwater Quality station, students are introduced to non-point source pollution and nitrate/phosphate testing in addition to the parameters they tested on their first visit.  At the Navigation station, students explore different methods of navigation and compare how methods have changed over time.  They then use the different methods to navigate to various parts of the park.

See the labs conducted by the LIFE students on their second 2009-2010 Trip:

WBSSSP II (Navigation Throughout Time (GPS)).doc

WBSSSP II (Water Quality Stormwater Ditch).doc

WBSSSP II (Numbers in Nature/Fibonacci Lab).doc

Click here to see photos of their  2nd Field Experience!

3rd Field Experience-Karst Trail:

The third field experience will have students exploring yet a third portion of the park termed the “Karst Trail”.  Here the students will conduct field activities related to water quality analysis of the Salt Spring for which the park is named.  Students will also use GPS’s to find and classify several different types of Karst land features with the help of a dichotomous key.  Finally, students explore the hydrodynamics that regulate water flow through a siphon system called Herman’s Toilet Bowl.  Students use different equipment to try to recreate the conditions necessary to create the siphoning effect seen at the station.

See the labs conducted by the LIFE students on their third 2009-2010 Trip:

WBSSSP III  (Water Quality (Spring)).doc

WBSSSP III (FallenLog).doc

WBSSSP III  (Karst Features).doc

Click here to see photos of their  3rd Field Experience!

Go here for more information on the LIFE program.