Curiosity Abound at First Annual Salem Public Schools Grade 2 Habitat Fair
Grade 2 students learn about the habitats and benefits of area wildlife in immersion learning field trip
SALEM (Dec. 19, 2024) – A live centipede five inches long. Crabs from the shores of Salem. Furs and skeletons of a fox, coyote and raccoon. Even a life-size replica of a grey whale.
The first annual Grade 2 Habitat Fair, held Wednesday morning at the Old Town Hall, sparked the curiosity of every Salem student who attended.
Scholars from all six elementary schools rotated from station to station, learning why the aforementioned species are critical to the habitat, their benefits and their traits.
The field trip was made possible by SPS elementary sciences coaches Erica Panacopoulos and Emily Flaherty, as well as the Read Trust and funds from each school’s parent-teacher organizations (PTOs).
“We wanted to provide a really innovative and different kind of field trip experience for our second graders, who don’t have as many outreach opportunities as other grades,” said Ms. Panacopoulos. “Also, the second grade standard on plant and animal relationships and habitats is something that kids love and love to talk about. Giving them the opportunity to talk with real scientists who do this as their job is a great content to career connection.”
Among the guest scientists were:
- Professor Bugman, who showcased a half-dozen live arachnids and large insects from exotic parts of the world.
- Salem Sound Coastwatch, which presented several types of live crabs, even invasive, and mollusks from the Atlantic Ocean.
- The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, which brought furs and skulls of a coyote, raccoon, and red fox and enlightened students how each lives and hunts.
- Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), which discussed habitats and the importance of the preservation of different types of whales and dolphins.
- Kestrel Education Adventures of Beverly, which showed how animals disperse seeds while students created them usi9ng art materials.
- Salem Sustainabilty and Resiliency Department, which engaged students in the value of healthy soil and the role worms play.
- Salem High School science educator Graeme Marcoux and his AP Environmental Science scholars, who engaged the students in a habitat match game.
The Fair is consistent with the District’s Strategic Plan, particularly the core principle of elevating learning: students were able to closely observe live, mostly native wildlife and learn the value of their habitats.
“This was a unique way for us to highlight the great work that our community partners do with students, to collaborate with Graeme Marcoux and his students, and with the city for the use of Old Town Hall,” Ms. Flaherty noted.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.
