Bay Studies
Explore
Students will compile a self-guided portfolio to earn the ¼ credit awarded for Bay Studies.
Connect
Over 25 activities designed by Gunston faculty and our program partners are available to choose from.
Learn Investigate Unplug
Students will complete/participate in 10 activities and submit a portfolio of their work to Ms. Beck.
Activities are offered asynchronously and may be completed at any time before May 28.
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Asynchronous Bay Studies Activities Bay Ecology 201 What’s a watershed? With Sultana Education Foundation Water Chemistry: pH with Sultana Water Chemistry: DO with Sultana Water Chemistry: Nitrogen with Sultana Water Chemistry: Salinity with Sultana Green Filter or Grey Funnel with CBF Go on a nutrient scavenger hunt Investigate a local stream with CBF Nature Journaling Trash pick-up Get started birding Go Fishing Biodiversity Bouquet Calculate your Bay Footprint
Deep Dives Capture an Audiofile Plant pollinators with Ms. Wheatley Historical markers with Mr. Stephenson Backyard campout Create Ephemeral art Learn about kayaking with Mr. Stephenson Create a photo essay Cook with local foods with Mr. Miller and Dr. Lipchock Mindfulness walk with Dr. Wilson Capture the Bay with painting, drawing, or coloring pages Learn campfire cooking with Mr. Mellinger Try out geocaching Smith Island Cake with Mary Ada Marshall
Asynchronous Bay Studies Activities Climate Science Education Learn about severe storm events in Ellicott City DIY solar oven Master the Global Warming Quizlet What’s albedo? Take action on single-use plastics Calculate your carbon footprint
The Gunston School
Capture an audiofile What does nature sound like near you?
Test out what you've learned.
"The great outdoors is becoming a lot less peaceful. Noise pollution from humans has doubled sound levels in more than half of all protected areas in the United States—from local nature reserves to national parks—and it has made some places 10 times louder, according to a new study. And the cacophony isn’t just bad for animals using natural sounds to hunt and forage—it could also be detrimental to human health." Read the rest of the article here.
Following all local safety regulations, find a quiet spot in nature, while out for a walk or run. Listen quietly for a few minutes, what noises do you hear? Record an audiofile on your phone.
Pollinato Som of m fa
Keep your world colorful, fruitful, and beautiful! Create havens, big or small, for pollinators in your own backyard. te flow fo po n o s in d :
🐞🦋🦇🌻🌿
Bee
Annual (easy to plant from seed) (available at grocery stores, dollar stores, garden centers etc.) (plant in pots, raised beds, veggie gardens etc.) (bloom one season)
cosmos snapdragons asters marigolds alyssum sunflowers geraniums
Biennial (will bloom next year) (planning needed)
t
cleomes petunias salvia
Bu erflie zinnias asters dill tithonia
hollyhocks foxgloves
Perennial (available in garden centers; tend to be pricey) (plants return every year) (plan a permanent spot) Ot e im
Hummingbird
bee balm mint lavender oregano
daylilies bee balm columbine hostas
echinacea, coneflowers asters
po n o s: nativ bee , polle was , moth , ant , bat , bird
Pol
to ga
n 2019
☾ I as
to c e
Mo n Gar
! ☽
A Moon Garden blooms at night and attracts moths, night working bees, and some bats. You can plant:
Moonflowe Whit phl Yucc Lavende Evenin primr s Be bal Nativ hone suckl Columbine
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Also plant annuals in pots on the porch! Weedy lawns are like a walk through your pantry for bees! Encourage your parents to allow clover and dandelions if applicable!
My plans for a pollinator garden summer 2020:
My favorite is: Moonflowe A night blooming annual vine. Easy to plant and grow.
Plant Pollinator Friendly Species
Starting Herbs
Steps for Starting an Outdoor Herb Garden: 1. Choose a sunny spot for your herb garden—the quality and flavor of herbs are best when they’re grown in full sun. Some herbs may tolerat partial shade, so be sure to check the back of the seed packet (or growing information that comes with seedlings/baby plants). Parsley and mint are two herbs that grow well in partial shade. 2. Make sure you have enough space. How much space you need for your herb garden will depend on which herbs you’re growing. You’ll need a 1 ft to 4 ft diameter per plant, depending on the type. Rosemary, sage, mint, oregano, and marjoram all need a 3 ft to 4 ft diameter per plant. Basil, thyme, tarragon, and savory all need a 2 ft diameter per plant. Cilantro, chives, dill, and parsley only need a 1 ft diameter per plant. 3. Use a garden spade to loosen the top of the soil. Thrust the space into the ground, scoop up the earth, and turn the spade upside down to break up the soil. Work the soil to a depth of 12-18 inches. Remove any rocks or hard clods of dirt as you turn the soil over. If you’re planting a large garden, it might be easier to turn the soil with a tiller (ask your parents to help with that—tillers can have a mind of their own). Loose soil allows the herbs' roots to grow and for water to get to the roots. 4. Create garden barriers. Herb roots won't grow too far, but creating a barrier around your herb garden prevents other plant life – like grass – from invading. Once you've determined how much space you need for your garden, install garden barriers around the perimeter. You can use actual garden barrier or planks of wood. They should extend about 2 in above the ground. 5. Test the soil’s drainage. Dig a hole 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide and fill it with water. Use your hose to fill the hole with water and let it sit overnight to saturate the soil. The following day, fill it up with water again and check the hole every hour to measure the water level as it drains. Ideal soil will drain about 2 inches per hour. Well-drained soil is crucial for growing herbs. Typically, loamy and sandy soils work best for herbs. Clay soil tends to be heavy and have poor drainage. For average soils, use peat moss or compost to improve the drainage. Shovel the organic matter on top of your loosened garden soil. Then, mix the organic matter into the tope 8-12 inches of soil thoroughly with a shovel or hoe. To improve drainage in clay soils, add 2-3 inches of fine pine bark, cracked pea gravel, or course compost. Improve the moisture retention of light sandy soils with 2-3 inches of fine pine bark, compost, or leaf mold.
6. Test the pH of your soil. Buy a soil pH testing kit at your local nursery or online to check for a pH range between 6 and 7. Most herbs do best in neutral soil that is neither too alkaline nor too acidic. A pH range of 6.5-7 is optimal, but anything between 6 and 7 is neutral enough for most herbs. 7. Consider raised beds. If the ground is low or the soil drains poorly, construct raised beds. Frame the garden area with plywood or rocks several inches high. Then, fill the boxed in area with soil, add any soil ammendments needed, and plant your herb seeds or seedlings as you normally would. Raised beds also increase the soil temperature, which most herbs will love. 8. Plant your garden shortly after the last spring frost. Depending on where you live, the exact timing for planting your herb garden will vary. You should generally plant your herbs after the last spring frost, but don’t worry, you’re not too late—we’ve been having cool weather this spring : ) 9. Group similar herb types together. If you're planting a variety of herbs, group your herbs by type. They have different water requirements, and having them separated by type can make caring for them easier on you. Rosemary oregano, marjoram, sage, lavender, thyme, and tarragon are “dry herbs” that need low amounts of water. Basil, mint, cilantro, dill, arugula, and chives are “wet herbs” that need high amounts of water. 10. Follow the packet instructions if you're planting from seed. Each herb has different depth and diameter requirements. Check the packets of each herb you're planting, and dig holes according to the instructions. You can also purchase seedlings from local nurseries—dig a hole as deep as the root ball of the plant. The hole should be just wide enough for the root ball to fit. Fill in the rest of the hole with soil until the existing soil and the soil of the root ball are level. Then tap down on the soil to compact it a little. 11. Water the soil after you're finished planting. Once you've got all your herbs planted, water the soil well. It should feel damp to the touch. The water will help the herbs' roots take hold. 12. Water your herbs according to type. How often you should water your herbs will depend on if they are dry or wet herbs. Dry herbs should be watered so that the soil is damp, and then the soil should be allowed to dry completely before the next watering. Wet herbs should have soil around them that is constantly moist. Check the soil by picking a bit up and running it through your fingers. If your fingers don't feel moist, it's time to water again. 13. Fertilize if needed. Most herbs do fine without fertilizer, but if your plants lose their color or look a little peeked during the growing season, apply a good liquid fish and kelp fertilizer at half the recommended strength every few weeks. 2
14. Harvest the plant after it's grown to at least 6 in. Once your herbs have reached 6 in tall, you can start harvesting them. Use a pair of gardening scissors and cut off about 1/3 of the plant. Cutting near a leaf intersection will encourage quicker new growth. You can harvest annual herbs gradually by picking a few leaves at a time, or you can harvest all the leaves at once if you plan to use them up quickly or dry them for later use. 15. Prune perennial herbs every fall. When the growing season for perennial herbs is over in the early fall, you'll need to prune them. This prevents your herbs from getting too woody (as opposed to leafy) and encourages new growth in the spring. Cut away about 1/3 of the growth in the fall. Common perennial herbs include rosemary, oregano, marjoram, thyme, sage, chives, lavender, lemon verbena, mint, and tarragon. 16. Treat your herbs for insects. Different herbs will attract (and repel) different types of insects. The exact type of herb and insect will influence the treatment, but most pests can be taken care of with insecticidal soap or an organic insecticide.
Steps for Starting an Indoor Herb Garden: 1. Choose a sunny spot with at least four hours of sun per day. Windows that face south or southwest are usually best, but you can also choose windows that face east or west. A kitchen window with a good-size ledge that gets four hours of sunlight per day is ideal, since it also keeps your herbs out of the way and reduces the chance that they'll fall. 2. Use glazed or plastic pots with good drainage. If the pots don't have a place for excess water to drain, you risk flooding and drowning your herbs. You can find pots specifically for herbs at most home improvement and gardening stores or online. Don't use clay pots for indoor herb gardens. They can dry out quickly, and if you're growing your herbs indoors in winter, they can ruin the soil and your herbs. 3. Place the pots on a saucer to collect water. Some herb pots will come with drain pans to catch excess water. If the pots you choose don't, you can use saucers or liners to catch the water and protect the surface of your windowsill. 4. Fill your pots with an indoor potting mix. The indoor mixes will have all of the nutrients your herbs need, without you having to add compost or fertilizer. Fill the pots with the potting mix, leaving about 1 in between the top of the soil and the rim of the pot. Don't press down on the soil – your herbs' roots will need plenty of room to put down roots.
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5. Place a different seed or seedling type in each pot. Once your pots are prepared, plant one seedling per pot. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball of the seedling, then place it in the pot and tap down the soil at the top to compact it. If you're planting from seeds, follow the instructions on the packets for planting. How many seeds and how deep they should be planted in the pot will vary from herb to herb. 6. Water each pot and place them in the window. Once you've got the seeds or seedlings planted, water the pot until you see water come out of the bottom. Then place the pots on the liner or saucer in your window. 7. Check the moisture level each day and water as necessary. If you touch the soil around your potted herbs and it's dry, you need to water. You should pour water over the soil until it starts to come out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. 8. Harvest the plant after it's grown to at least 4 in. Indoor herbs may not grow as quickly or as tall as herbs planted outside. However, once your herbs have reached 4 in tall, you can start harvesting them. Use a pair of gardening scissors and cut off about 1/3 of the plant. Cutting near a leaf intersection will encourage quicker new growth.
Good luck with your herb gardens! It depends on how harsh our winter is (not) and how protected your herb garden is (i.e. closer to the house will create more warmth in the winter) whether or not your perennial herbs will overwinter. Some perennial herbs are quite tender, like lavender. Feel free to email me with any questions you may have, and I’d love to see pictures of your gardens once your herbs start to thrive! ~ Mrs. Biggar
Source: wikiHow
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Historical Markers The Chesapeake Bay region--our Home--is a treasure trove of American history. Some of that history is preserved in museums, government archives, and state and national parks. Plenty more of our local history, however, may be right around the corner (literally!) from your front door. All of us have certainly taken a drive down a local road and passed by a historical marker. We may have sped past the sign too quickly (going the speed limit, of course) to read what event or person was commemorated by the marker, but each and every one of those markers tells a small part of our local history. Here is your challenge, should you choose to accept it:
Bay Studies 2020: Exploring Chesapeake Bay Watershed Historical Markers The Chesapeake Bay region--our Home--is a treasure trove of American history. Some of that history is preserved in museums, government archives, and state and national parks. Plenty more of our local history, however, may be right around the corner (literally!) from your front door. All of us have certainly taken a drive down a local road and passed by a historical marker. We may have sped past the sign too quickly (going the speed limit, of course) to read what event or person was commemorated by the marker, but each and every one of those markers tells a small part of our local history. Here is your challenge, should you choose to accept it: ● Use the links below to find three (3) historical markers in your local area. ○ Maryland historical markers (maps, by county): https://mht.maryland.gov/historicalmarkers/CountyMap.aspx ○ Delaware historical markers: https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?State=Delaware ● Insert an image of the marker onto a map of your area (see my example on page 2) in the approximate location where the marker is located. ○ Most of the markers found on links below have a written description of the location and/or GPS coordinates that you could put into Google maps to find the exact location of the marker ○ Optional: If you are able to leave your house (while complying with all of the local and state laws regarding essential travel) to see a marker in person (while exercising, or traveling to or from the grocery store, for example) take a selfie next to the marker and use that image on your map. ● For each of the markers you choose: ○ Write a brief 1-2 sentence description of the physical features (woods, fields, bodies of water, urban/suburban, etc.) in the immediate area surrounding the marker (if you can’t see the marker in person, you could use Google Earth for this). ● Finally, for one of the markers you choose: ○ Conduct some research into the person or event commemorated by the marker. Consider how the story told by this marker fits into the broader history of the Chesapeake Bay region. Summarize in 3-5 sentences. ● Put all of this into a Google doc that you will share during Bay Studies Presentations on Wednesday, May 27.
Ephemeral Art Inspired by Andy Goldsworthy Goldsworthy almost always uses found materials to make art. He tries to use exclusively natural elements, and has been known to make ice sculptures using his own saliva to keep the pieces together! Because of the transient nature of his art, he always photographs a sculpture after it is complete. Because pieces will naturally change over time, this is the only way for him to record what he has made.
You can take inspiration from Andy Goldsworthy's art to make your own! Use found materials - your goal is not to interrupt nature's processes by picking plants and flowers, but to use what you can find on the ground, like branches, thorns, leaves, etc. You can make any kind of art you want. Goldworthy typically make sculptures, but you can create natural collages on the grass, weave branches and fallen bark, or follow the artist's example and create a rock sculpture Take a picture of your work for your portfolio!
Learn about Kayaking with Mr. Stephenson Warmer weather is here! Kayaking can be a wonderful way to get outside, maintain appropriate social distancing, and enjoy the natural world. Kayaking for exercise is allowed within stay at home orders in Maryland. Before setting out, confirm the local rules and regulations, check your safety equipment, and be sure to let someone know where you are going and when you'll be back.
Take a picture of yourself paddling or complete a nature journal entry based off of what you saw.
Create a Photo Essay A photo essay is a series of photographs that tell a story. Unlike a written essay, a photo essay focuses on visuals instead of words. With a photo essay, you can stretch your creative limits and explore new ways to connect with your audience. Whatever your photography skill level, you can recreate your own fun and creative photo essay. Learn more here.
Post your photos in your Portfolio Doc or Slides.
Backyard Campout We missed National Camp At Home Day but you can still celebrate! Here are a few tips from Kelty about a great backyard campout or a camp-in if you'd prefer to camp in the living room. Set up your tents & sleeping bags, in the living room or the yard, use your fire pit and roast some marshmallows or make a dinner of hot dogs and spend some time camping in the great out(in)doors! Bonus points for pillows, decorative lights, and games! Lead a camp: Rally the household to participate at camp. Invite your friends & family, and participate in a digital campfire over a video call. Snap a photo of your camp to share.
No Dirt, No Problem. This is actually the *perfect* time to win over your dirtaverse partner to the wonders of camping! Whether you’re pitching your tent in your living room or backyard, it’s probably a whole lot less dusty (and buggy, for that matter) than the actual wilderness. Camp-In Theatre. The DIY backyard theatre—we’ve all thought about it, but very few of us have actually tried it. There’s never been a better time. No-Shame Glamping. Admit it: you’ve always wanted to glamp! Well, it’s YOUR house, homie—so nobody can throw shade because you dragged your double-wide mattress, fluffy rugs, Moroccan poufs and decorative pillow collection into the backyard.
Get Cooking! What's in Season? Fruits and veggies we have highlighted! Kale Peas Herbs Strawberries Rhubarb Learn more about using local ingredients in your culinary efforts.
Inspired? Here are some great recipes:
Ricotta Gnocchi with Peas & Herbs Asparagus and Mushroom Risotto Spring Vegetable Salad with Poached Eggs and Breadcrumbs
Kale Salad The kale salad doesn't really have a recipe, more like formula which I loosely follow depending on my mood. I remove the stems from the kale and break it into bite-sized pieces. Then you add a sprinkle of salt and a drizzle of olive oil and then massage it with your fingers until all of the leaves are coated. It just makes it tender and much less coarse than kale usually is. Curly kale, Red Russian kale, Dinosaur kale, all work great. Then I add a drizzle of honey, some acid (fresh lemon juice, orange juice, balsamic vinegar, etc), dried fruit (my favorites include apricots, cranberries, or cherries) and some toasted nuts (pine nuts, slivered almonds, pecans, and walnuts are all good). I like to finish it with crumbled goat cheese or finely shredded Manchego, Asiago or Parmesan. Post a photo of your finished product in your Portfolio.
Get Cooking! Strawberry Rhubarb Pie (adapted from King Arthur) Crust: 2 ½ cups flour 2 tsp. Salt 2 sticks butter ~¾ cup ice water Filling: 3 cups rhubarb, diced 4 cups strawberries, quartered 1 ¼ cups sugar ½ cup flour For crust: 1. Stir together flour and salt. 2. Work in butter until you get coarse crumbs. 3. Slowly incorporate water until the dough can be worked into a ball. 4. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. To make the filling: 1. Whisk together the sugar and flour. 2. Toss the rhubarb and strawberries with the sugar mixture. 3.
1. Remove the dough from the refrigerator, split into two and roll half of the dough into a circle and place into a 9” pie plate. 2. Spoon filling into the prepared crust and roll the remaining crust to make lattice top or shapes, as desired. 3. Return pie to the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 425°F. 4. Brush with water and sprinkle with coarse white sparkling sugar, if desired. 5. Bake the pie for 30 minutes, then reduce the oven heat to 375°F and bake for an additional 30 to 40 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the crust nicely browned. 6. Remove the pie from the oven, and cool for an hour before serving.The pie may be served warm, but it'll be a bit messy; it sets as it cools. 7. Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired. Post a photo of your finished product in your Portfolio.
Mindfulness Walk with Dr. Wilson Full directions from Dr. Wilson appear on the next page. Learn more about the benefits of walking in nature with this New York Times article explore here.
Include a short reflection in your portfolio.
How to walk mindfully: Before you start, set a pleasant alarm sound to tell you to turn around and head home to journal. Start with just 3-5 minutes and work up slowly to 10 minutes each day if it is comfortable. This is how I was taught. Walk just to walk. Start by letting your attention rest on your breathing as you walk. Notice that you may take 1, 2, or 3 steps during your in breath. You may take the same number or a di erent number of steps on each out breath. Let your breathing fall into sync with your steps. Settle on comfortable numbers of steps for each inbreath and outbreath. Your thoughts will naturally wander. When you notice that your attention is not resting on your breath, do not be frustrated. You are learning a new skill, and it will take practice. Gentily bring your focus back to your breathing and stepping. Don’t try to suppress distracting thoughts. When you notice that you are distracted, simply allow your attention to rest on your breath again. The practice should be pleasant and relaxing. Directing your attention to your breathing calms your mind so that you can be open to the present moment. You will find that you are aware of the feeling of the ground pressing on your feet, the scent of the air, the sounds of your environment, the living things around you, your own emotions, and so on. File some of these sensory impressions in your memory for your journaling after your walk. Many people find it helpful to silently count their in breaths and out breaths. If that helps you to rest your attention on your breathing and stepping, use it. Others use gathas to help them focus on their breathing. A gatha is a short poem that we say silently to ourselves on each breath. One gatha is: I have arrived I am home In the here In the now I am solid I am free In the ultimate I dwell
The first time through, you may say one verse on each in breath and one verse on each out breath. When you are comfortable, just bring the boldfaced words to mind to represent the whole verse: arrived, home, here, now etc. I find it comfortable to skip in breaths and only bring the words to my attention on my outbreath, sometimes every other breath. It depends on how calm my mind is. You may find that you do not need to use any trick to keep your mind on your breathing and walking. Don’t feel obligated to use numbers or words to focus your awareness on your breath. When you are home use at least two of these writing prompts to produce a short journal entry: ● How do you feel? ● What scents did you notice? ● What did you see? ● What did you hear? Your journaling is only to give a framework for your mindfulness exercise. Four sentences is enough.
Why mindfulness? Mindfulness can calm and stabilize your thoughts. We have ambitions, fears, and distractions filling our brain much of the time. We travel from point A to point B and don’t focus on where we are now. When we get to where we are going, we are not satisfied because we did not enjoy or even notice the process of getting there. Mindfulness is a technique that you use to focus your attention on the present moment. Everything that is important: our loved ones, our environment, our selves are only available to us in the present moment. Being aware of the good and important things in our lives nourishes us. If you practice mindfulness regularly, you will be able to call on it in times of distress to strengthen your ability to face challenges. Why mindful walking? Many people practice mindfulness in sitting meditation. Walking meditation, or mindful walking, gives us practice being mindful in the world. It is more active and more outwardly open which is a better fit for many personalities and moods.
Get Grilling with Coah Mel Try your hand at grilling Sweet and Spicy Chicken Thigh Tacos. This meal is a quick, delicious meal for the campfire. The recipe only requires a handful of ingredients and limited time. Not interested in tacos? Add your protein and veggies to a rice or quinoa bowl.
Take a photo of your work for your portfolio.
Try Geocaching Need a quest to get you off the couch or a reason to explore hidden corners of parks and public spaces, try geocaching! Be sure to follow all local safety guidelines in your quest and blend this with a bit of exercise. "Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location." geocaching.com To get started, you'll need to set up an account at geocaching.com. From there, you can browse and find nearby caches. Happy sleuthing!
Take a photo of your first found cache for your portfolio.
Capture a Sense of Place The Bay is an inspiration for many artists. Try your hand at plein aire painting, a simple sketch or watercolor, or even a few simple coloring pages
Take a photo of your work for your portfolio.
Make a Smith Island Cake End your Bay Studies adventure on a sweet note by making a Smith Island Cake! Mary Ada Marshall makes these by the thousands(!) every year. Smith Island cake is also the official dessert of the State of Maryland.
Be sure to take a picture before you and your family devour your hard work!