'Pirates on the Poudre' find nuggets of knowledge

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

A hoy, matey! There's sure to be bounty on those beaches, just ripe for plucking by some enterprising pirate who knows the Poudre.

Though no seafaring captain called them to the task, Cache La Poudre's eighth graders in September merrily scouted the Poudre River in the name of math, science and literary arts. Calling their course Pirates on the Poudre, students, teachers and volunteer instructors explored the offerings of the ever-changing river flowing by LaPorte's junior high school.

"This is an opportunity that no other school has," said science teacher Jennie Russell.

Aware of their golden opportunity, junior high teachers forged a plan to wrest the lessons of the Poudre into an interdisciplinary course that combined classes in English, science, math, technology education, outdoor education, physical education, French and creative food. Community volunteers also brought their expertise to the Poudre, showing the students what a river means to their livelihoods and the community.

Marcie Camenson and Michelle Finchum, environmental educators with Fort Collins Utilities, provided microscopes and waders so students could get fully involved with their subject. Through the various classes the students calculated river speed using tennis balls, studied water quality, learned about macro invertebrates, used geographic information system technology, worked with flow meters, composed poems and learned how to develop a life-long love of the river through kayaking, rafting and fly-fishing.

On one sunny morning, Corey Engen of FlyWater Consulting explained how the river's ecosystem produces the hatches that entice a fish to feed and how fly-fishers mimic the insects. Then, Dave Cook of St. Peter's Fly Shop lined up the students to practice casting techniques.

"It shows how you can enjoy lifetime sports and stay active in it," said health and PE teacher Debbie Banek, "and it incorporated a lot of biology about the river."

Russell has hopes the week of classes on the Poudre will become an annual event.