Indian Lake Elementary first through fourth graders explored a variety of ecosystems during a COSI on Wheels program at their school Friday.
The all-day event opened with a program taking a fun look at Ohio’s different ecosystems, including prairies, rivers, forests and wetlands.
Co-Principal Molly Hall explained that the school chose this COSI theme specifically to coordinate with other educational opportunities happening at ILES this year.
“Because we have the habitat of a wetlands right behind our building, we wanted to tie the COSI program to that. In addition, we have an Artist in Residence this year who is also focusing on the wetlands, so we wanted to show our kids how it all fits together.”
Students were able to help out with several parts of the program. First-grader Rylin Hyde learned about how bees pollinate plants, while fourth-grader Brayden Grumbling turned on the wind for seed disbursement.
Third-grader Xavier Mu’min demonstrated how an animal’s webbed feet can help it swim and fourth grader Trenton King posed as a moth to show how a bat’s sense of echo-location helps it to find prey.
After the presentation, students were able to visit several stations manned by parent volunteers, with activities showcasing how different animals see, the various kinds of woodland areas, other ways that seeds are dispersed and more.
The ILES COSI on Wheels visit is paid for by money earned through ILES PTO and school fundraisers.