Field day teaches community about West Michigan natural history

A free, outdoor science event recently offered members of the West Michigan community the chance to learn about the natural history of the region.

The annual Allendale Community Field Day paired Grand Valley faculty with members of the community and Allendale Public School system for a fun day of engaging activities that encouraged outdoor education and promoted environmental awareness.

This year’s field day took place June 24 at the Jaarsma Outdoor Learning Center on the Allendale Public Schools K-8 campus. Each year, the event is coordinated by Peter Riemersma, associate professor of geology, and Keith Piccard, adjunct professor of biology and 6th grade science teacher at Allendale Middle School.

Celebrating the theme of “Things that Happen,” participants contributed video messages for a time capsule that will be buried until 2031 when the 20th anniversary of the event will occur. They also learned about the glacial origins of West Michigan, examined earth history through soil and tree cores, planted trees and flowers and even enjoyed a pig roast.

“People were very interested in Allendale glacial history as they were able to see where the ancient Lake Chicago was located, glacial till maps of the area, and they figured out why water drains the way it does in their yards based on where they were found on a map,” said Piccard. “We even pulled a sediment core of the campus all the way down to the ancient lake bed, so people were directly interacting with the geologic history of West Michigan.”

Local Boy Scouts were also on hand to teach guests how to create their own rope, and the Allendale Historical Society showed guests what school life was like 100 years ago. Old-fashioned activities, such as bobbing for apples, three-legged races, face painting and hoop trundling, were also available for kids to enjoy.