🌱🧫🔬 Eighth graders at A.C. Reynolds Middle School recently stepped into the world of real-world science during the third annual Water Properties Day, an immersive learning experience designed to make science standards come alive.
In a partnership with the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, and local conservation professionals, students explored the natural world through interactive, hands-on activities aligned with the eighth-grade science curriculum. Instead of simply reading about the water cycle or pollution, students watched it happen, creating watershed models, simulating pollution runoff with sprinkles and syrup, and observing real macroinvertebrates under microscopes. They learned how fertilizers, factory runoff, and suburban waste can all flow into shared water sources, affecting everyone in a community.
“We designed Water Properties Day around eighth-grade science standards to give students a way to actually practice what they’re learning,” said Rose Wall, environmental educator with the Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation District and one of the organizers. “Science is a hands-on subject by nature, and this event lets kids get their hands dirty- literally and figuratively- to really understand it.”
One popular station turned into a lively town hall simulation where students took on roles in a debate about building a wildlife crossing bridge, practicing real-world problem solving, advocacy, and teamwork. Another highlight was the birdwatching station, where students used binoculars to observe local birds and even built model nests to better understand animal adaptations.
“It was a great way to show kids all the things that make up the nature around us and really get engaged,” said Lydia, one of the students.
“I liked that we weren’t just sitting in a classroom; we were moving, learning, and connecting with each other and the environment,” added fellow student D’Naysia.