On Aug. 30th and 31st, BGI 5th graders spent the day paddling 6 miles from Mascouten Park in West Lafayette to Ft. Ouiatenon on the Wabash River as part of our very own River WRATS (Wabash Rafting with Adventurous Tomahawk Scientists) program!

The trip is a capstone experience of all the outdoor education provided by Naturalist Mary Cutler for BGE students throughout their elementary years. All along the way, raft captains discussed and reviewed key concepts of the human and natural history of the river and its ecosystem, connected to all of their previous learning.

The rafting experience includes two bank stops led by Purdue faculty. At the first stop, students learned about the geologic history of the river, and the second stop included a fish shock and seining nets, where students learned about the abundant variety of fish inhabiting the Wabash.

After rafting, students engaged in land-based activities, including water-quality testing and an erosion control STEM activity. What an awesome two days for our Tomahawks, and what a testament to our outstanding community and parent volunteers! It was an unforgettable experience.