Clavius Scholars Explore Living Laboratories During Field Trips

On Tuesday, the Scientific Inquiry through Films Group went to the Chicago Botanic Garden. The students had previously watched "Butterfly Blueprints," which features new research into more efficient solar power cells, chemical detectors, and bulletproof vests made from butterfly silk. With this as a backdrop, students explored the Botanic Gardens to learn about plants and adaptations they make to survive, discover how geography can impact plant life, and research plant origins and classification.

On Wednesday, the Math in Context Group spent the day at the Skokie Lagoons. Friends of the Chicago River led the students on a canoe trip and taught them about the group's efforts to improve the health of the Chicago River system. The other portion of the trip was dedicated to water testing. Students determined water quality by performing chemical tests as well as sampling water and counting macroinvertebrates.