3rd Graders Discover Biomes & Animal Life At Barrier Island
Dolphins, alligators, and pelicans, oh my! These are just a few of the animals that third grade students encountered as we traveled to Bulls Island last Wednesday to learn about South Carolina's biomes and animal life.
Bulls Island is the largest of four barrier islands in the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. As we ventured off in the cool breeze on the 30 minute boat ride over to the island, students saw dolphins swimming, seagulls and pelicans flying, and even an Oystercatcher bird. They discovered what a barrier island is and discussed the food chain, learning about apex predators, such as alligators. They also discussed how marsh grass (Spartina) is one of the only plants that can survive in this type of estuary ecosystem and how it decomposes each season into pluff mud and then grows again year after year! On the trip, we found ourselves right over a 70-foot deep shark hole and learned how there are only two in the area. The other one is over near Sullivan’s Island.
We took a step back in time as we arrived at Bulls Island. We learned about how the island was originally inhabited by the Sewee Native Americans in the 1600’s and they called the island Oneiscau. There is one house still standing on the island and former US State Senator, Gayer Dominick, who bought the island in 1925, owned it. The house was used as an inn until 1969. Dominick later gave the island to the National Wildlife Refuge. While standing under a beautiful, large oak tree next to the blue house, we learned more about oak trees, resurrection fern, and Spanish moss. We saw several baby alligators as we hiked towards the beach. Students found beautiful shells and learned about sea pansies while spending time together on the beach. Several of the items found prompted great questions on the boat ride back about vertebrates and invertebrates.
When asking students about their favorite parts of the trip, they replied with, “the boat ride”, “seeing baby alligators”, and “collecting large and unique shells.”