Unlocking Lake Erie: High Schoolers Dive into Hands-On Science at Stone Laboratory

Paul Genzman’s Environmental Science students spent the day at OSU’s Stone Lab on Gibraltar Island near Put-In-Bay on South Bass Island. Led by Stone Lab instructors, students conducted a variety of tests on the water near Rattlesnake Island measuring wind speed, air and water temperature, water clarity, and wave height.  They took water samples to look for the presence of zooplankton, phytoplankton, fish, and benthic invertebrates. 

“The trip to Stone Lab is always one of the most memorable and favorite days in AP Environmental. Students appreciate the hands-on experience and learning about Lake Erie and the surrounding watershed.  They can see the interconnectedness of the various systems that create the larger ecosystem. It’s hard to replicate this experience in the classroom.  We are truly grateful to have the opportunity to make the trip and work with some incredible instructors from Ohio State,” shares teacher Paul Genzman.

Following the trip to Stone Lab, Genzman’s environmental science classes will visit the Ottawa River to conduct similar tests to the ones they did at Stone Lab.  They will compare the chemical and physical properties of water at each location.  In recent years, the Village of Ottawa Hills has made considerable improvements to the river through various community cleanups, including the removal of a dam and of invasive species.

Thanks to Paul Genzman and Ottawa Hills Schools Parent Association for making the field trip possible and to our chaperones Liz Puskala, Meredith Douglas, Elias Hajjar, Chris Hamilton and Tim Furey.