You know you're in San Diego when a whole takeout container with an intact burrito washes up on the beach. Students did properly disposed it.

Nature's thermometer? These fruit flies have a genetic mutation that makes them temperature sensitive. A quick trip into direct sun causes their activity to decrease and the fruit flies gather along the bottom. Thanks @SalkEducation!

Tonight, I worked with @SAYSanDiego1971 science educators. We discovered cause and effect relationships of gasses, liquids, and solids in motion. I got to demo one of my favs, the slinky drop #phenomenon that shows the bottom seemingly hovering in mid air!

When "look at that crane!" is not referring to wildlife.

I LOVE @wcgarden because I'm a plant nerd. 🌿 This week, our class visited. 🌷 Ms. Smarty Plants is a pro who swiveled on a dime and adapted to our sometimes cynical 8th graders. 🌻 Students remained engaged, asked insightful questions, and enjoyed their morning in nature. 🌵

We observed spiny redberry plants for the endangered hermes copper caterpillars but we found the tussock moth caterpillar instead.

Standing next to the bay in t-shirt with snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Perfect day for whale watching. Sighted 8 grey whales and hundreds of dolphins. MCLA students enjoyed the experience, too ..... until I tried taking their picture.

On a morning walk this week, we observed deep animal tracks in the mud. 🐾 We came back in the afternoon, mixed up some plaster of paris, and took molds. Next week we will analyze patterns to identify what animal they belong to. 🐾

Reason Number 7843 why our satellite internet connection is not working. A red tailed hawk parked itself on top of the communication equipment today.

No mistaking which way the wind is blowing today.

Beautiful day for a hike through Mission Trails. Getting kids into nature is the priority. Maybe we'll do some science, too.

We have a new student in class for our human body unit.

Students use #patterns as evidence to determine if observed objects are biotic or abiotic. #celltheory Photo: student-prepared onion skins

This is not the last time students will encounter animal poop in class. In the winter, we will do another scat-venger hunt 😎

Students are adding lunch scraps and maintaining compost bins this year. In class, we are using #stabilityandchange to observe decomposition over time in the bins. Today, students met some of the invertebrate friends that will help in our vermicomposting bin. 🪱💩

Students contributed to a long term habitat restoration project in the San Diego Bay Wildlife Refuge by removing invasives and planting natives. Students discussed ways this can improve the health of our local ecosystem while also combatting climate change.

This week, we observed the #phenomenon that is hundreds of snail shells in California Sunflower bushes near the SD Bay. Why are they so concentrated on one type of plant? What caused them to climb, and why now? Will they stay up there, and for how long? The list of Qs go on. 👀🔍

What better way for a science teacher to discuss human impact than a trip to the Otay Landfill? What an amazing experience. @RepublicService welcomed us with open arms. Thx @teachnwolves for the idea.

My face when I look at the calendar and realize it's the first week of school already. Excited to meet the new 7th graders this year 😃