Creative Nature Journaling with North Collins Central School

In April, Lisa Brosnick and her student group from North Collins Central School traded in the end of winter weather in Buffalo, New York for a week of coral reef filled fun at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences. North Collins Central School has been utilizing our facility for many years to take advantage of the structured marine science programs we offer.

This year however, they have added a new component to their course: Creative Nature Journaling. As the students learned about the coral reef and its inhabitants, they were encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings about their exposure to such an incredible ecosystem. Journaling encourages individuals to harness their creative energies into organized thoughts.

When science and nature are effectively integrated, journals can become a catalyst for developing a life-long interest in science and nature. Sketches, field observations, notes and poems are the clay that has molded many generations of innovative biologists and ecologist. Hopefully this trip has inspired a few of tomorrow’s scientists.

Here are a few poems from their trip:

I Know a Place: Roatan

by Sarah Gawlak

I know a place Where ocean water is clear as can be, The most perfect shade of blue, That allows you to look down deep, Where beauty grows Beneath the surface, Where diversity thrives On land and in the sea (All of which is fairly new to me) Where birds chant their calls, Each morning to be heard, Like lyrical poetry, Where the sun warms my skin And immediately dries beading water, Where everything is silent at times, A definition of paradise.

I Couldn’t Live Without

by Ashlee Hohman

I couldn’t live without Feeling the sand beneath my feet Or, the warm sun on my skin I couldn’t live without Hearing the waves crash against the shore Or, walking along the water’s edge.

Syntu of Coral

by Josh Schmit

Coral

So vibrant and bright

Will you sting,

Or will you invite?

So confused,

on what you feel like…

Mysterious