5X at Geauga students are learning about wetland ecology right in their own backyard. The Biological Diversity class with Jodi Naji, Ph.D., assistant professor of biological sciences, took a field trip to Burton Wetland's Lake Kelso to study the biological diversity of a bog environment. Senior naturalist Dan Best from the Geauga Park District talked to the students about the glacial geology of the lake, and the plant and animal life of the area. The class then boarded canoes to view lake life up close while the naturalist pointed out a variety of species both in the water and on the shore.
"Mitch Myers, the academic lab coordinator for the campus, set this lab up months ago, and it was a huge success,” says Kent State student Elizabeth Robinson. “Lake Kelso, a natural ‘kettle’ bog, afforded us with a lot to explore and opportunities to learn through such an environment! It was a lot of fun and well worth the trip to Burton Wetlands."
Students from Naji's class who participated included Gabrielle Benitez-Lee,Allison Bloom, Jennifer Brown, David Burton, Seth Chan, Ashley Claypool,Eric Dayila, Colin Gower, Sarah Mast, Caraline Nelson, Robinson and Faith Walton.