Unique experiences blend kinesiology, biology lessons for LSC-CyFair students

published May. 20, 2011

Fourteen biology, kinesiology and Wildlife Society students at Lone Star College-CyFair (LSC-CyFair) recently took part in a weekend of hiking, camping and exploration of nature.

Professors Ronnie Nespeca, Clay White and Jason Moulenbelt gave students a hands-on, real-world, beyond the classroom, community college experience as part of LSC-CyFair's Outdoor Adventure Learning Community.

The goals for this learning community were to get students outside, teach them how to explore the outdoor world safely and provide the foundation for a life of enjoying and learning about nature.

"This is the only Learning Community currently in the system that combines kinesiology with biology," said Nespeca. "This is a rare and wonderful experience where students not only get credit for both classes, but are involved in one of the most active and engaged learning classrooms that they will ever encounter."

On Friday, students learned to set up the tent, to get water and basic rules around the camp. Later in the evening, they learned to build a fire, basic fire safety and etiquette, and Moulenbelt's lessons on knife and axe safety. After dinner, there was a night hike that included observation of nocturnal plants and animals.

Saturday's agenda started with breakfast, making and packing lunch, stoking or rebuilding the fire, cleaning up, securing tents and packing up for a nine- to 10-mile hike. Then, students learned about trail etiquette, trail safety, on-the-trail pack adjustments, water procuring and geocaching. Professor White also pointed out various plants, animals and fungi that demonstrate topics covered in classroom lectures.

After hiking back to camp and before some free time Saturday evening, students completed a learning assessment for White's class based on the day’s observations, and then the students prepared a group dinner as an objective for Nespeca's class. On Sunday, the students broke down the camp and were taught how to pack up gear and stow it.

In addition to the two camping weekends each semester, there are career talks on achieving short- and long-term goals, stargazing Saturdays at Brazos Bends Challenger Learning Center and a planned 10-day trip to Costa Rica as part of LSC-CyFair's Study Abroad program.

For more information on the Outdoor Adventure Learning Community, contact Nespeca at ronald.a.nespeca@lonestar.edu or 281-290-3989 and White at clay.j.white@lonestar.edu or 281-290-5925.

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