Class: Science 6 – The Science of Place
Grade: 6
Teachers: Kristina Klammer

6th grade students enhanced their understanding of ecology after meeting with Deborah Spears Moorehead and Pam Ellis, indigenous elders from the Wampanoag and Nipmuc tribes. Deborah and Pam connected Native American oral traditions to the work of scientists, highlighting how storytelling can be a crucial component of science.

The Hiatt Center’s collaboration with Deborah and Pam led Kristina Klammer to center her 6th grade ecology unit around students building their understanding on the values, contributions, and knowledge of our local Indigenous communities.

-The Hiatt Center

Students were introduced to Deb and Pam earlier this year when the duo visited campus to speak about cultural property and appropriation. In addition to hearing a creation story, students had the opportunity to participate in traditional dances as they sang and played instruments. Students noted how traditions like these can impart knowledge and encourage reflection.

Later in the year, students got acquainted with the local ecosystem over the course of several visits to Dane Park. Deb and Pam led the first visit, sharing their knowledge and introducing students to the medicinal uses for plants. The visit provided an entirely new lens for students to view ecology through, enhancing their connection to the local ecosystem and serving as motivation for their next visit. 

I used to think that plants in the wild were only consumed by animals and not used for medical purposes. Now I know that humans can consume wild plants if approved by experts and plants can be used for medical purposes whether it’s made into tea or the direct plant is rubbed onto the skin.

-Student reflection

On their second visit, students got to work supporting the local ecosystem. Students used gloves and pruning shears to remove invasive plants such as garlic mustard and Japanese knotweed from the area. The activity touched upon all that students have learned about ecosystems, including how invasive species can be introduced to an area and the impact they can end up having.

Deborah and Pam spoke of how it was a privilege for them to share their knowledge with our 6th-grade students but we feel that we benefitted so much more from them in helping us shape the 6th-graders experiences and perspectives.

-The Hiatt Center

More about this course: What is home? How do I understand my place and impact in a larger system? In Science 6, we get outside and explore our sense of place through several lenses, including Earth science, ecosystems, and engineering. We challenge ourselves to examine systems big and small through field study by strengthening our observation, data collection, and data analysis skills.