Oklahoma Science Adventure 2014

Oklahoma Science Adventure 2014 Blog

July 9

After saying goodbye to our families, we jumped right into getting to know one another with some fun icebreakers and games at the ropes course.  Our team is starting to bond already – we worked together on several challenges to achieve our goals as a group, which is exactly what we will do in the field this week.  We leave tonight for Rogers State University and are looking forward to a campfire and s’mores along with a night hike to explore forest, pond and wetland ecosystems with Robert Gibbs, director of Rogers County Conservation District!

Ruby E.: Hi! We have been on numerous fun adventures lately! For one of my research projects, my partners (Christina and Brianna) and I actually researched leeches and how they swim when they are threatened in different ways. Today, we went canoeing in the Illinois river. It was so much fun! And, this morning, we actually got up at four A.M. and went on a early morning walk to watch the sunrise. While we were watching the sunrise, a blue heron flew into the pond and we got to experience it catching its breakfast. Tomorrow, we are going to collect fossils. I am very excited and look forward to it. 

Tate R.: Hi my name is Tate I have had an awesome time at the Oklahoma Science Adventure this year. I have gotten to a chance to meet new friends and have lots of fun doing a research project about crawfish. We have also floated down the river today and had lots of fun canoeing. We are going to be able to look for fossils tomorrow. So I hope everyone is having fun and I want to say thanks to my mom for dropping off the tiger cookies for everyone. Thank you everyone who donates their time to let us go on this awesome adventure. 

Nathan W.: Thanks mom we have learned so much about science. We have done various experiments throughout the week. This morning we woke up at 4:00 in the morning to go on a nature walk type of thing. We listened to many bugs, birds, frogs, and other animals making sounds. We watched a great blue herring try to catch his breakfast, but we had to leave before he caught it. Then we went canoeing at Daimondhead resorts. I love and miss you all too. 

Makenzie H.: Today we canoed down the Illinois river. When we were going down the river we studied the animals that lived in the river. And tomorrow we will go look for fossils at White Mound. My favorite part was getting to swim and look at the fish in the river. 

Sebastien P.: Hey everyone! I’m having a ton of fun, earlier we went canoeing and surprisingly no one flipped! We also woke up at 4 in the morning and went out near a pond and watched all the animals and insects as it turned from night to morning. On our first day we went to each of 4 “sites” that are basically ponds and caught insects and animals in the water and on land. I had a lot of fun getting stuck multiple times. (I’m fine) Nathan and I did an experiment trying to see about how many dragonflies there were near each of the four ponds. After trying to catch the dragonflies (we only caught 3) we decided to count all the ones that were flying around. Everyone is getting along great and everyone are friends with each other. Well that about sums up my week so far so goodbye! 

Carlos O.: The first thing of day one was Roger county university of the aqua lab where we did many of things looking at all the sights of all 4 and we did for the first activity was to find as many water bugs of any kind. Bring all the animals back to observe them at the aqua lab. Then we do the four steps of science (observer, hypothesis, conclusion, and discussion) and then to do a report of them of the most interesting animal we have found and do a report over one or more of them. Then we got to do for our other move was to go cannoning at a river with a buddy and to make it to the river bank checkpoints. after that we have made it all the way we make it back to the hotel and to do a rerun over the fossil scavenger. I believe the most coolest thing was to go cannoning with the whole team and learning the ropes over them. And thanks to Robert and Christiana at the Aqua lab for helping us out on identifying and for information that we needed and equipment for our research it was very fun to do this and more in summer also. And to our leaders for also helping out Jess, Josie, James, and Nick. 

Maren I.: Hi everyone!! I am having a lot of interesting adventures, while I am having fun learning new things. I had a lot of fun learning about all of the different species of dragonflies too. We also went on a nature walk at all times of the day like night and dawn, learning about what types of animals come out at those times. I am also having fun making awesome new friends!!!!!! We also went on a really fun canoe ride on the Illinois River. Having so much fun, and can’t wait to see you guys!! 

Branson P.: Had lots of fun the hardest thing was waking up at 4 in the morning. I liked the canoe trip the best. Carlos and I had a lot of fun trying not to tip the canoe then having cyric as a roommate for four nights then playing signs for four days straight was funny. Going hiking and tracking in the dark was tiring but a lot of fun. wish I could do it again next year!!!! 

Christina H.: My favorite part of this trip so far would have to be researching our Swim Like a Leech project at Rogers State University. We caught leeches in Site 1 and tested to see how they swim when threatened. We caught six leeches by peeling bark off a decaying tree in the water. It was super fun and really dirty! 

Brianna H.: DAY1: We came to the museum and had lunch then we went on a 2 hour car ride to the aqua lab. when it got dark, we went on a night walk through the forest on a trail. DAY2: on day two we got up and went to the aqua lab and went through the forest this time in the morning so we could see our surroundings but this time we can actually see what we saw the other night. then we got back to the aqua lab and started to work on our research project by going to 4 different parts of the trails and see what animal we want to know more about and set the project up. DAY 3: we started to test out our research project on leaches, and we got to go in the muddy water to look for them. after we did the experiment we made a power point with our partners then went outside to play games. DAY 4: today we went on a nature walk really early in the morning. then we went to illonios river to go canoeing.it was my favorite thing we did on the trip so far. 

Darrius S.: Having fun with the girls and guys. It was challenge waking up at 4 a.m., but we sat and watched the stars and a heron try to catch some food. The first night was really tiring because we went on a night hike and ate pizza. Was fun but didn’t have as much fun as we did today as we went canoeing and swimming on the Illinois river. Got swept away by the current a few times can not wait to see you guys on Saturday. 

Heston S.: Its been really fun so far. I really liked getting in the pond and catching minnows and tadpoles. Today was fun but we did have to get up at 4 in the morning and go hike. When we floated in the river it was fun, I caught a snapping turtle and swam. Eating has been great we ate pizza the first night, second night was golden corral and third night was rib crib. tonight was chilies :). 

Alyssa F.: I had fun learning new things like the insects during the day. We went on a nature walk at night and during the dawn at 4:30. I was not wanting to get up because I’m not a morning person. Jes, James, and Josie (the staff of OSA) are really fun to hang out with. We went canoeing, took small hikes, and chilled in rooms. We first went to sleep at Roger’s state university. Then in Days Inn. My partner, Maren Ingram and I worked on a project about dragonflies. We caught them and saw there design and what they are. We got chased by a bee though. Then we left the university. We canoed down the Illinois River. I got a sunburn. Ouch! 

Cyric K.: I am really enjoying this camp so far and cannot wait to see what we do next. We have already done so many fun and adventurous things you would not usually do at other camp. We have also canoed the Illinois river, waded in in ponds looking for organisms in/on/above the water, we caught fish with nets, and air mobile insects with a different net. My favorite part is how nice the staff is and wading through water ankle deep in mud hunting for animals. We will be going to sulfur tomorrow to dig up fossils, and find out what ancient life there was like compared to now. 

July 10

We arrived safely to Rogers State University last night and had a great time at the campfire with Robert and Sam Noble Museum staff, Katrina Menard, curator of recent invertebrates.  First thing this morning we used the scientific process to keep a Coolasaurus (canister of ice) frozen outside.  The scientific process includes making observations (using our senses), asking a question, deciding on a hypothesis (an idea about the answer to our question), planning an investigation to collect data (information) to answer our question and using the data we collect to form a conclusion (answer to our question) that we can share with others.

After we completed the Coolasaurus Challenge, Robert and Katrina took us into the forest, pond and wetland to observe each ecosystem and the animals that live there.  By the end of the day, each of our science teams decided on a question and hypothesis that they will investigate tomorrow.  Tonight, we’re looking forward to dinner at Golden Corral and catching insects with Katrina using a light trap – a big sheet with lamps shining on it.  We can’t wait to see what insects show up!

Darrius S.: Today was a blast. We ate at Braums, went to Sulphur and found fossils at white mound. My partner was Heston Staffer.This guy is funny and very adventurous. Cant wait to see you guys on Saturday. 

Ruby E.: Hi! Today was very interesting and fun! We went to White Mound,in Sulfur, a place where long ago, a pond with prehistoric organisms lived. Now it is dried up and filled to the top with fossils. My very fun partner, Makenzie, and I found 143 fossils, including shells, sponges, and coral. At this moment, I am sitting in a chair blogging, soaking wet. We played a very,very, wet game. Toodeloo! 

Heston S.: Today was fun. We went on a dig and me and darrius found 107 fossils. For lunch we had Braum’s the car rides were also fun because we got sing and dance. We went back to the museum and looked at are fossils. We also played water games with a sponge :). 

Makenzie H.: Today we went to White Mound and found fossils. When we got there we made a square that we picked fossils out and we found 147 fossils in our square. I had so much fun and I wold like to come back to White Mound. I also had fun playing games with everyone at the museum. 🙂 

Christina H.: Today we took a long car ride and went to sulfur to look for fossils. I found 87 shells with Brianna, along with a sponge, 2 coral, and a polyp. After that we drove to the museum and played water games/classified fossils. 

Brianna H.: Today we woke up at a hotel yay! We ate breakfast at the hotel then went on a really long car ride to Sulphur to visit the active bone site (White Mound) to look for fossils. After we finally got to Sulphur we ate at Braum’s then went to White Mound. My partner and i found shells, coral, and sponge and other cool fossils. Then after that we went back to the museum and ate dinner and studied the fossils. I’m having so much fun! 

Tate R.: Hi everyone thanks for looking at the blog. We got to dig up cool fossils today at White Mound and got to do research on them. We also got to keep some awesome fossils for ourselves which I think is very cool. Thanks for everything again donors for this Oklahoma Science Adventure. And hope you get to read my post mom. 

Branson P.: Had a lot of fun today. Went fossil searching at white mound in Sulphur found some cool things. Like a shell of a bivalve. Went to Braum’s for lunch come back to the museum for dinner. We also did some water games like duck, duck goose variation egg run kind of thing with water balloons and then a blindfolded maze race. 

Cyric K.: I had a lot of fun today because we went digging for fossils at White Mount and found alot of cool fossils, although it was hot we had fun and made the best of it. When we got back we played more games some with water and some without. All very fun and exciting! Then we came back sorted our fossils to see how many different species of fossils we found. 

Sebastien P.: Today we woke up at 7, ate breakfast, then left for Sulphur. We ate at Braum’s and looked for fossils at white mound. Nathan and I found 62 fossils. We had 9 different kinds of brachiopods, 1 snail, 1 crinoid, and 3 different kinds of coral. A little earlier we played the “Water Olympics”. It was a bunch of really fun games. 

Nathan W.: Today was another fun day on this trip. First we went to the hotel breakfast area and ate, then we went on a long van ride to Sulfur. We then had lunch there. After lunch we went to White Mound and found a bunch of fossils, and then we came back to the museum and had dinner. After dinner we continued studying the fossils we found. 

Carlos O.: On this day of camp is very exciting. we had very fun trips in the van and saw many sights along the way and some stops and it was very, very, hilarious during the rides back to the museum. Games were already prepared for us and very fun for us really and for the water games that where set up for our time outside and for the amount of water I had on me I don’t think I will need a shower for myself also. This camp is a great idea for everyone and is needed more now for more people to come to them it will make many kids into grown ups with great minds leading skills and to never give up and to keep moving forward to help more people in many ways and to move around walls that we will maybe have to in counter in our lives. And another comment on the water games is that one, it was fun, two it was hilarious three I enjoy them very much, four our leaders have great minds in this life. 

Maren I.: I had SO MUCH FUN today. Everyone got to go up to White Mound and search for fossils. I also am having a blast working with my research buddy Alyssa. It is also awesome getting to sleep in the luxurious hotel beds!! I am also excited to sleep under the dinosaurs tomorrow night!! Having fun! 

Alyssa F.: Today, my room mates and I woke up at 7 a.m. After awhile we packed up and ate breakfast. For lunch we ate Braum’s. It was delicious. Then we hit the rode for White mound where we will look for fossils and study them. After staying in the sun and searching for fossils with Maren we finally headed back to the museum. At the Sam Noble Museum we studied the fossils. Maren and I collected 207 fossils. YAY! 🙂 

July 11

Today we worked with Roger and Katrina to collect the data we need to answer our research questions.  Robert taught us how to use a special net called a seine to catch small fish.  We also used smaller nets to catch tadpoles and aquatic invertebrates (water animals without backbones) like diving beetles and back swimmers.  Katrina showed us how to catch insects by sweeping insect nets through the grass.  By the end of the day, we were all soaked and muddy, and everyone made some great conclusions based on their data.  Saturday’s presentations are going to be really great!

Nick Czaplewski, associate curator of vertebrate paleontology at Sam Noble Museum joined us this evening and taught us all about tracking.  We learned how to tell when a person or animal was running, walking, or jumping.  He even put together a “puzzle course” for us to figure out how he moved from one part of the volleyball court to the other.  We’ll use these skills tomorrow during our canoe trip if we see any animal tracks along the shore.  We are all looking forward to canoeing on the river!

Branson P.: Had a lot of fun going into the entomology collection with Katrina nick Kyle and jenn. It was super interesting also playing snake tag outback. We’ve now played signs for 6 days now. Had a lot of fun playing ninja and statues. I’m going to miss these guys when we leave tomorrow. This last week was so much fun. 

Sebastien P.: Hello :-}! Today so far we’ve looked at a bunch of fossils and preserved insects and finished up our presentation. Later we’re going to play a museum hunt game, practice giving our presentations, and watch ice age 3. I can’t wait to see everyone! 

Tate R.: Hi everyone had a fun day going behind the scenes in the Sam Noble Museum. We are also getting our presentation for tomorrow.Had an awesome adventure this year.Thank you to everyone and hope everyone had fun on this adventure. 

Christina H.: This camp has been so much fun! I’m going to miss all you guys and your weird funky personalities! Thanks to everyone who helped us learn and explore. I’m looking forward to seeing you guys again in Paleo Expedition! 

Heston S.: Ugh last night! It’s been so fun, I’m gonna miss everyone here they are all funny and awesome. Tonight we get pizza and to watch “Ice Age 3”. Me and Darrius made the best presentation, we can’t wait to show it. We’ve played the best games this week i will bring them home with me. 

Nathan W.: We have been finishing up on things but it is still fun. Today we woke up and went to the museum to get started. After that we got to go play games and eat. I have had so much fun this week and will miss all of you when we leave tomorrow, but also will be happy to come home and see everyone. 

Ruby E.: Hi! Today was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! It was so cool because we got to go “behind the scenes” so to speak. We were able to see the actual bones stored in the museum! Normally, you see molds of bones instead of the actual thing. So it was mind blowing to touch and see a several million old dinosaur bone and think that it once was in a body. Also, tonight, we are sleeping in the museum which is going to be interesting. Cheerio! 

Darrius S.: Hi guys having fun today. We played a new game called snake tag, and looked at vertebrates and invertebrates fossils. Well I’m happy and sad because we get pizza with wings and it is our last day together. Well i will see you guys on Saturday! 

Brianna H.: Last day: today we woke up at sooner suites and came back to the museum to eat breakfast. After breakfast we went upstairs and met different scientist and their collections. They were really cool to learn about! I am going to miss all of these people I have met on this trip! They were all fun to talk to! 

Maren I.: I had a really fun time today getting to go behind the scenes at the museum! I am also very excited getting to spend the night at the museum tonight! I can’t wait to watch “Ice Age 3” also. Can’t wait to see you guys tomorrow at the presentation! 

Alyssa F.: Today we woke up at 7 a.m. We packed up and went to the museum. We made a presentation for Saturday. All fixed and ready. Our staff showed us around. We also went to different floors that people usual don’t go to. We looked at what scientist do with bones and others do with dead insects. 🙂 weird! My partner and I had funny pictures of people. We added it to the presentation for tomorrow. YAY!!! 

Cyric K.: Pizza, sleep and games… my three favorite things! We are having a sleep over at the muesem with the dinosaurs for real, cant wait!! These guys are awesome and funny! We also played games for a little then we got serious and started working on our presentations for our adventurous week, and to show everyone how much fun we had and how much we learned. We are signing cards and frames because we are leaving tomorrow see you in a little! bye!! :). 

Makenzie H.: Today we spent the day looking at the exhibits in the museum. Then we got to go see the real collection of bones in the museum they were cool. I would like to come back and do this again. 

Carlos O.: Wow today is a great day! Wow and it is already Friday also and leaving tomorrow so yeah, I will be missing everyone that I met here so yeah, it was a very fun week for myself. Got done with the presentation to show tomorrow and will be showing it off to everyone that will be coming to the presentation tomorrow and will see how that goes. I had a great time yesterday at the hotel at campus it was very cool place it was very amazing I would choose it as a beach house. So now will see what happens tomorrow with the presentation and will see tonight sleeping here at the museum. 

July 12

This morning we woke up early to see what our research area is like at dawn.  We became very familiar with this ecosystem, getting to see the plants and wildlife here at nearly every time of day!  Afterwards, we left for the Illinois River in Tahlequah.  We learned how to paddle and steer a canoe on  our three-hour canoe trip.  We kept an eye out for animal tracks and cooled off with a swim.  We’ll go to bed a little early tonight, but not until we start planning for our trip to collect fossils at White Mound, a limestone hill where fossils of ancient invertebrates – animals without backbones – erode out and litter the ground!

July 13

Today, Nick helped us to collect fossils of ancient animals without backbones – crinoids, corals, brachiopods and trilobites.  Together we decided on a research question and then worked as a team to collect the fossils we needed to answer our question.  We made it back to the museum safely and started working on our presentations for Saturday so that we can show our families what we have discovered!

July 14

We spent our day at the Sam Noble Museum, touring galleries and collections behind-the-scenes. First, we went to the vertebrate paleontology collection where we got to see and touch real fossilized dinosaur bones. Then, Katrina took us on a tour of the recent invertebrates collection. Some of the beetles and butterflies were so colorful! We even saw some of the types of insects and crayfish that we found while we were doing our field research in Rogers County. Right now, we’re looking forward to this evening. After we practice our presentations for tomorrow, we’ll watch a movie on the museum’s big screen and then sleep under the dinosaurs in the Ancient Life Gallery!

July 15

This week went by so quickly! It was fun to see our families and have them meet our friends and scientist mentors. Our presentations went really well – everyone did a great job talking about their research findings. We were sad to say goodbye to our new friends, but we know that we’ll get to see them at our OSA reunions.

Thank you to everyone who helped make Oklahoma Science Adventure 2014 such a success. We couldn’t have done it without the support of our scientist mentors, Robert Gibbs, Nick Czaplewski and Katrina Menard, the Sam Noble Museum and our participants and their families. Thank you again and we look forward to seeing you at the next reunion!