PSS outdoor science summer camp a big success

The CNMI Public School System marked a historic success with its first-ever outdoor science summer enrichment program that ended Friday.

The program, which ran from June 27 through Aug. 5, saw the involvement of 82 students from all elementary public schools on Saipan, composed mainly of fifth and sixth graders. Classes were split into two locations: San Vicente and Oleai elementary schools.

In a ceremony at the American Memorial Park on Friday, participating classes did a video presentation of what they did throughout the six-week event.

According to Janelle Rivera, acting team leader and program coordinator, it was their prime objective to make learning about science fun and exciting for students and was convinced that PSS has achieved this goal. She attributed this success to the collaboration of teachers and the administrations of both San Vicente and Olei schools as well as to the interns of the Workforce Investment Agency who assisted.

Rivera specifically cited SVES science teacher Valrick Welch for providing hands-on learning to all class participants from day one.

The students went on three to four field trips weekly for hands-on learning, then spent some time in the classroom to discuss and review the lessons learned from the field trips. On Friday, each class presented their “movie” production, highlighting the favorite things that they learned.

For 10-year-old Christopher Bernardo of Dandan Elementary School, visiting Mañagaha Island gave him a better understanding of what soil erosion means. Plants and small rocks are among the best ways to eliminate soil erosion, he learned.

Bernardo was also amazed to see the different fish species they found on Managaha. “It was a fun and exciting summer experience for me,” he said, expressing confidence that what he learned will help him in the new school year.

According to Rivera, the science enrichment program not only provides fun outdoor activities but also used PSS benchmarks and standards that help prepare students in their science lessons for the next grade.

Prior to the six-week program, students were pre-tested to measure their science learning. A post-test was also done as the summer program ended to measure how much they’ve learned.

Primo Agbehi, an incoming fifth grader at Oleai Elementary School, said he is confident that he will do better in science this new school year, thanks to the summer program that helped him appreciate the importance of knowing about living and non-living things.

Agbehi said the trip to Wing Beach was among the exciting and memorable places he visited. He said he was amazed to see and learn about sea turtles and their nesting process.

Besides fifth and sixth graders, some special education students were also part of the summer outdoor activities. In the video presentations, they were seen hiking and doing other activities.

Among the hands-on lessons provided to 82 summer campers were alternative energy, erosion, marine debris and turtle nesting, and tilapia dissection.

There were two classes that took place in Oleai while four classes were held at the San Vicente school.