Power Scholars Academy Camp presents
POLLINATOR FIELD GUIDE
The scholars and staff members pose at Bellevue Elementary School.
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ihis summer, over 50 Wood River community scholars embarked on a project to save pollinators. As these scholars began to research and learn more about local pollinators, they realized the huge impact these little creatures have on everyday life. An even bigger realization was that these important creatures are in danger. Through investigation and reflection, a question arose. How can we, as a community, improve our relationship with pollinators? This question drove our scholars, with our partner Wood River Weekly, to create this guide with the intent to share their learning and encourage community members to take part in protecting our precious pollinators. The scholars, rising 2nd and 3rd graders from the Blaine County School District, were eager to “think like scientists” — collecting information, making observations, and critically thinking to generate solutions that would best support pollinators. Using foundational literacy skills, the scholars read informational texts and determined which facts were important information. With their new found knowledge, the scholars partnered up and generated a question to answer in order to share their learning with readers of this publication. Throughout the project, the scholars had opportunities to learn from experts. Guest speakers shared their expertise on local
ABOUT THIS PROJECT wildflowers and pollinators, as well as answered questions from the curious scholars. Gaston Zuain shared his research with the Wood River Land Trust on local pollinators. Evelyn Albrecht, a local landscape designer, gave feedback on the scholars’ garden design plans that included native pollinator attractors. These experts were chosen to raise awareness of possible career paths, something the Power Scholars program aims to encourage. Field trips with local organizations provided hands-on learning experiences for the scholars. Sawtooth Botanical Gardens invited the scholars to literally stop and smell the flowers as they explored the beautiful grounds and observed the pollinators zooming around colorful blossoms. The Wood River Land Trust shared their pollinator island in Colorado Gulch where the scholars went on a scavenger hunt, had a drawing lesson with Poo Wright-Pulliam, made milkweed seed bombs, and watched pollinators interact in their native
environment. To investigate the connection between food production and pollination, The Hunger Coalition gave the scholars a tour of their greenhouse and food distribution facility. The Sawtooth National Recreation Area Visitor Center team amazed the scholars with a bee inspired performance and information about the migration of the Monarch butterflies. The Power Scholar Academy Camp is a national program designed by Bellxcel and implemented by the YMCA to offset learning regression over the summer break. The program is structured to combine academics with engaging summer camp experiences, such as recreation time, enriching STEAM activities, and community building games. This is the sixth summer the Wood River Community YMCA has facilitated this program in partnership with Bellxcel and Blaine County School District. We would like to thank the incredible staff, partners, and supporters that have made this program a success once again.