Biosphere

Remind Info

To join the Biosphere Remind Group (to receive text updates for the program), text the the message @k3g39ge to the number 81010. You will receive reminders about what to wear/bring, field trip updates, etc.

Biosphere Calendar 2022

Biosphere Food Drive

This year, we are hosting another food drive for the Restore Hope House. We will be going on Thursday, June 28 and will be accepting any non-perishable foods and hygiene products. Last year, we raised 361.2 pounds of donated goods. Can we beat it this year?

2018 Year

Day 1: First Day

Today, we got to know each other by playing games and doing icebreakers with each other. We also got a head-start on learning how to sample water quality and identifying macroinvertebrates to prepare for the sampling we will be doing later.

Day 2: Andy Guest State Park

Today, we went to Andy Guest State Park. We went on a relaxing float down the Shenandoah River in tubes. We also went on a wagon tour through the park and learned about invasive species in the park. Thank you to our tour guides for giving us a great time!

Day 3: Guest Speaker & Elizabeth Furnace

To start off our day, we had a special presenter, Janet Tinkham from the Front Royal Grotto, come in to teach us more about life in caves and the effects that caves have on our environment. After that, we went to Elizabeth Furnace to test water quality. We identified different types of macroinvertebrates and also tested for pH, dissolved oxygen, and other chemical balances in the water.

Day 3

Day 4:

On today's trip, we learned about saving and preserving endangered species and reintroducing them into the environment. We learned about how scientists can track animals and use data to learn about specific species. We also had an amazing view of some testing plots for experimentation with plants.

Day 4

Day 5:

I guess you could say today rained on our parade. We were unable to make it to Buzzards Rock to hike due to flooding on the roads. Instead, we went to Strasburg Park and walked along a trail. After that, we were supposed to have our pool day, but the pool was unfortunately closed. So we went back to SKMS, had our pizza there, and enjoyed popcorn while we watched the movie, Coco. Even though it wasn't exactly what we had planned, we still all had fun!

Day 6: C&C Ice Cream and Happy Creek

To begin the day, we went to C&C Frozen Treats in Front Royal and learned about the process of making ice cream. After that, we headed over to Happy Creek to sample water quality (which was not very good). We had lunch at the pavilion and then went back to Signal Knob to do some work on our projects.

Day 6

Day 7: Buzzard Rock & Strasburg Park

Today, we just re-tried Friday's schedule instead of canoeing since the water level is to too high to be safe. We went to Buzzard Rock Trail and hiked 2 miles up to an amazing view and 2 miles back down. After that, we met the rest of the BREGS spheres at Strasburg Park. We went to the swimming pool and the playground and just socialized and messed around.

Day 7

Day 8: Bull Run Conservatory

Today, we went to Bull Run Conservatory for their herpetology program (the study of amphibians and reptiles). First, we had a speaker talk to us about herpetology, and then we went on a small hike to look for salamanders, frogs, toads, etc. Overall, we learned a lot about amphibians and reptiles and their importance in our environment.

2017 Year

Day 1 - First Day

We had an amazing first day getting to know each other and learning river sampling techniques!

Day 2

We had a great first field trip!

Day 3 - Elizabeth Furnace

Today, we tested the water quality of Elizabeth Furnace! We had fun using a kick net to capture macroinvertebrates. Thankfully, the water quality was excellent!

Day 4 - Shenandoah National Park

We had a so much fun at Shenandoah National Park learning about and looking for salamanders and testing water quality!

Day 5

We did not take any pictures, but we went to Strasburg Park with all the other spheres, had pizza, and had fun in the pool and around the park!

Day 6 - Bull Run

Today, we went to Bull Run Conservatory and learned about herpetology, the study of amphibians and reptiles. We saw and learned about snakes, frogs, toads, lizards, and salamanders!

2016 Year

Special thanks to our wonderful bus driver, Gene!