Natural learning

EILEEN GODIN Times Leader Correspondent

LARKSVILLE – Get down and dirty to learn about biology and ecology.

Working on the running water of the future wetland area are Roger Sears of Complete Aquatics and Brian Butler and Shawn Rybka of Lily Pads Aquascapes. Looking on is Rob Bonczewski, right, science teacher in the Wyoming Valley West School District.

This is the theme that surrounds the stream, pond, and future wetlands project at the Wyoming Valley West’s State Street Elementary School in Larksville.

Dressed warmly against the damp chill in the air, Shawn Rybka of LillyPads Aquascapes of Harveys Lake explained the unique project came from a chance meeting with high school teacher Robert Bonczewski from Wyoming Valley West High School.

Rybka said they first met through a job shadowing program when a high school student came into his work place. Discussions on how children can benefit through an outdoor classroom followed.

Rybka’s enthusiasm about creating an outdoor classroom inspired Bonczewski to tap into the younger children’s interest in biology through a hands-on pond and wetlands area. He took his ideas to his principal and superintendent.

“Fourth grade is a benchmark,” he said. “We are trying to hook the children’s interest in science.”

Administrators discussed the possibilities of an outdoor classroom and where to locate it. The State Street Elementary School was chosen because it was the newest building in the district, Bonczewski said.

Once the location was determined, Bonczewski sought out grants with the help of Rybka.

Much of the funding for the current waterscape was raised through annual Earth Day T-shirt sales. Bonczewski said this year they have applied for Lowe’s Tool Box grant, the Luzerne Foundation Water Resource in Education Network grant, and are expecting about $2,000 through the Meaningful Watershed Grant.

“We will do as much as we can this year depending on what we receive through grant money,” he said. “Then we can add onto it every year.”

Shoveling out heavy dark mud, one man prepared for the new 5-foot-by-7-foot bog where water will filter down an existing stream flowing into a 9-foot-by-13-foot pond.

This year a new wetlands area will be installed along with security cameras to protect the area.

Within a few weeks, Rybka will visit the school and have the children help plant native water plants around the pond and bog area.

He said this will give him an opportunity to talk with the children about the plants and their role in the food cycle of a wetlands environment.

Once the planting is finished, Rybka plans to certify the aquascape with the National Wildlife Federation as a backyard habitat.

“Really it maintains itself,” Rybka said. “We don’t add any chemicals. The plants, fish, and frogs combined with the natural (good) bacteria keep the pond functioning.”

Rybka said there are lots of opportunities like the State Street Elementary School project to teach children about conservation and ecology. Rybka said there are grants available for school districts to provide this type of hands-on learning experience.

“The kids love it,” he said. “Neighboring residents have commented on how nice it is.”

Rybka said there are other water eco-friendly projects like rain harvesting for irrigation purposes, available for municipalities and school districts. For more information, call LillyPads Aquascapes at 639-4177.