The CHIEF September 2024

Starting the year off strong, Mr. Ritter's environmental class made a trip to the Kickapoo Prairie near Cayuga on August 28th. The purpose of the visit was to help spark ideas within the class of what we would like to do with the prairie, as many projects within the class involve the community and how we impact it. During the visit, Mr. Ritter showed us the interior of the building that is on the property and asked the class to brainstorm some ideas on how to utilize the space. Mr. Ritter then guided us through the tall grasses of the prairie, providing information on the plant species and their impact on the environment. Some of the plants that he pointed out were goldenrod, milkweed, coneflowers, and Queen Anne’s lace. Fun ensued, such as running through the grass, attempting to identify bird calls, Mr. Ritter pointing out mice in the building, and even sticking a burr on Levi Rients’ shirt. Overall, the trip was both fun and educational and I enjoyed learning more about the environment around me. Environmental Earth Science Class Update By Devin Skrzypiec