Fifth-grade students from Waxhaw Elementary recently stepped out of their classrooms and into nature for a memorable outdoor classroom experience at Wingate University’s Campus Lake. The hands-on adventure, a collaborative effort between Wingate’s Biology Department and Waxhaw Elementary’s Sustainable Energy Academy, offered students an engaging opportunity to explore ecosystems, identify organisms, and analyze energy flow within nature.
The field trip, guided by Elizabeth Miles, a sustainable energy teacher at Waxhaw Elementary, and Dr. Erika Niland, professor and chair of Wingate’s Biology Department, allowed for an immersive learning experience that paired university students with elementary students.
Wingate students guided Waxhaw students through a scavenger hunt and other activities, deepening their understanding of environmental science concepts.
As the students rotated between multiple activity stations, they were encouraged to think critically about their relationship with the environment and their responsibility within it. Each station, designed to align with North Carolina science standards, reinforced key concepts like sustainability, ecology and conservation.
“We want students to feel a connection to the environment,” said Miles, addressing her class. “If you don’t have a relationship with nature, how can you be expected to protect it? That’s why we get you outside, learning, asking questions, and thinking about real-world applications of science.”
One important lesson of the day emphasized how humans influence ecosystems, sparking a lively classroom discussion about human impact. Miles posed a thought-provoking question:
“If we hunt a species to extinction, what happens to the food web?”
A student quickly responded, “If we get rid of one animal, the ones that eat it won’t have food, and the whole web will change.”
As the students explored nature, they encountered exciting discoveries. Addy Santamaria was particularly intrigued by mushrooms’ role in attracting ants.
“The mushroom can attract different types of ants. After it attracts ants, it starts to release hormones, which cause other ants to come, and it keeps that process going and produces more fungi,” she explained. “We made a food web out of all these different biomes—the prairie, the city, the forest, and the freshwater biome. It was really cool how they all connected.”
Kassidy Brown also found excitement in an activity demonstrating energy transfer.
“We would throw the rope to each other and see how energy moves through an environment,” she shared. “I love being outdoors and learning about sustainable energy because I get to help animals and the planet.”
Draco Clark, a Wingate University environmental biology student, was one of the activity guides. He described how the students participated in food web exercises and explored different biomes.
“We provided the students with clue cards about decomposers, producers and consumers,” Clark said. “Afterward, we did a group activity where they could visualize how each species is connected and how the web could collapse if one part is removed.”
For Wyatt Pickell, the food web activity was an eye-opening experience.
“We answered questions about the animals, and if we got them right, we earned a picture of that animal,” he recalled. “Then we used string to connect ourselves into a big food web. When we took one animal out, the whole thing started to fall apart, which showed us how important each part is.”
Clark noted that the students' enthusiasm for the activities was contagious.
“Once they figured out their roles, they got badges representing their animals—whether a mushroom, a squirrel, or something else. It was great to see them so engaged and having fun while learning.”
Aestas Hodge, a Wingate biology major with minors in environmental biology and education studies, was equally thrilled with the students' eagerness and knowledge.
“During the food web activity, we asked the students about their animals and ecosystems. I was amazed by how much they already knew! Every time I asked a question, their hands shot up with the right answers,” Hodge said.
Reflecting on her time at Waxhaw Elementary, Hodge, who once attended the school, marveled at the growth of the Sustainable Energy Academy. “It’s incredible to see how much Waxhaw has changed. When I was there, there wasn’t a Sustainable Energy Academy. These kids learn about ecosystem responsibility at a young age—it’s amazing.”
Miles, too, emphasized the importance of learning through real-world experiences.
“The best way to learn science is to do science. Getting our students outside, engaging with nature, and working with real scientists make these concepts stick. They’re not just memorizing facts; they’re experiencing them.”
As the trip ended, Miles left the students with one final thought.
“One person can make a difference,” she said. Two years ago, many of you knew little about renewable energy. Now, you know so much more. Imagine what you can do next. Keep asking questions, keep learning and keep making an impact.”
03/20/2025
