Clouds and showers failed to dampen the spirits of McCurdy Elementary School fifth graders as they visited Grant’s Farm to participate in the Wyland Ocean Challenge – Clean Water for the 21st Century.
Teachers Tammarra Lewis, Mindy Self and Stephanie Knight took their classes to the nature park, where they took trams to see the animals and to join marine artist Wyland. During a tram ride, the boys and girls saw elks, bald eagles, kangaroos, bison, goats and many others.
After disembarking, the students and staff strolled past some animal pens and shelters before entering the Bauernhof, a group of red-roofed buildings that form three sides of a square.
In the square’s “center,” near a fountain, a large white wall stood and as the day progressed, a man painted Mississippi River scenes on both sides of the board. That man is Wyland. He is noted for creating the famous Whaling Walls, large murals he painted throughout the world.
Students from several school districts lined up for a chance to paint whatever animal they liked as part of the murals and to celebrate water and its importance to life on planet Earth.
“I had fun at Grant’s Farm and saw lots of animals,” said Zachary Lewis. “One animal that I saw was a river otter. I had the chance to pet a shark. I learned that the sting ray’s barb can grow to be a foot long.
“Another cool thing I learned is that the animals I saw are from six of the Earth’s continents. There were lots of animals in the wild at the park, like antelopes, rams, hawks and more. I even learned that Grant’s Farm is owned by the Anheuser-Busch Company.”
After they painted with Wyland, students could check out animals on loan from Sea World, such as otters, penguins and the sting rays. They also learned about clean water conservation; for example, Wyland reminded them to shut off the bathroom faucet while they brush their teeth. After each group took its turn, Wyland posed with them for photographs and had the students yell, “Save the rivers!” as the cameras worked.
“I was excited to participate in the Wyland Ocean Challenge program,” said Lewis. “The students and I were instructed about marine science and the conservation of water quality on our planet. I found the program to be very timely because I have been teaching my students about the oceans’ ‘dead zones.’
“Scientists have discovered 200 of these dead zones in the world’s oceans – places where pollution threatens fish and other marine life plus the people who depend on them. I believe the students were inspired to take the challenge of saving our oceans.”
