May 08, 2007
Bowling
Green, Ky. - Basil Griffin Park served as an outdoor classroom for Dr. Steve Huskey’s Honors Program
biology students on Friday.
Dr. Huskey, an assistant professor at Western Kentucky University, took about 20 students in his Biology 122 – Evolution, Diversity and Ecology course to the park for an end of the semester fishing trip and cookout.
While the fishing and food helped attract the students, the outing provided an opportunity for hands-on experience in ecology, biodiversity, conservation and natural resource management, Dr. Huskey said.
“Teaching the next generation of naturalists and environmental stewards is critical today,” he said.
The fishing trip was a new experience for several of the students. Dr. Huskey gave the class a lesson in how to tie a hook, put a sinker and bobber on their line, how to bait their hook, how to cast their line and how to reel in the big one.
As the students headed to the lake to begin fishing, Dr. Huskey explained about how and where fish feed and where they might be located. Some of the fish caught Friday were returned to Dr. Huskey’s laboratory for use in fish feeding behavior research.
In terms of student engagement activities under way at WKU, “it doesn’t get any better than this,” Dr. Huskey said as he watched the students fan out around the lake.
Dr. Huskey received a Faculty Enrichment Grant from the University Honors Program to purchase fishing equipment for the trip. The equipment also will be available for use in other Honors courses in the department, he said.
“This is one more example of how the Honors program strives to get the students’ hands dirty, as part of their education,” said Dr. Craig Cobane, director of the Honors program. “One never knows, this experience may create a new life-long fan of the sport of fishing. Not only are Honors students learning, but they are getting to see one of the many great outdoor opportunities available to them here in Kentucky.”
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu
For information, contact Steve Huskey at (270) 745-2062.
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