Rick Gunn/Nevada Appeal Corrine Diaz, 7, records temperature of the water and width of the river Tuesday morning. Students from Lori Tureson's second-grade class at Fritsch Elementary School take six trips to the Carson River each year as part of their science studies.
It wasn't the typical day to spend outside near the Carson River. Temperatures dropped to the low 40s and naked branches stretched over icy waters.
But Lori Tureson and her second-graders from Fritsch Elementary School were undaunted by the chill Tuesday morning.
"This is an important trip," Tureson said. "They need to see this. They need to feel the cold and use their senses so they understand the habitat and why things change."
The students observe the changes in weather, water conditions and animal life as the seasons rotate during six trips to the Carson River throughout the year.
The trips cover all state science standards for the second-grade level, and students prefer being outside rather than learning from a textbook.
"We can see what she's talking about in case we don't even know what she's meaning," explained Nicole Vairo, 7. "And it's fun."
Tureson said she often hears from teachers in the upper grades how well-prepared her students are in science.
"This is lifelong learning; it's not just for the moment," she said. "It teaches them close and careful observation and starts getting them to be inquisitive."
Students rotated through four stations Tuesday where they measured the width of the river, took the temperature of the water, calculated the pH balance, drew pictures and cleaned up litter.
"I found a diaper and a shotgun shell," reported Sam Bruketta, 7.
Although it could be unpleasant, students understood the importance of the clean-up.
"We want to keep our state clean," said Jack Miller, 8.
On the last trip, students drew a scenic picture of the river. On this trip, they were instructed to draw an aerial view - inspired by a book they read in class about a girl who could fly.
"This is what the Carson River would like from above," said Joel Hines, 7, as he held up his drawing.
And they learned a little bit of river etiquette.
"I learned to not throw rocks in the river when animals are hibernating," said Haley Lepire, 8. "We don't want to wake the animals up."
Tureson's students will meet with biology students from Carson High School, who are also studying the river, in the spring to compare what they've learned.
Contact Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or at 881-1272.