The Scots Science Scholars

Written by Miracle Walls, Scots Science Scholar 2016

Miracle Walls (the author), Rachel Strickland, and Sydelle Young practicing map skills

Field Biology was an amazing experience! Personally, I had a great time learning how to properly use a compass, a GPS,  read Topography Maps, and learning about the basics of wildlife biology! We also went turtle tracking for box turtles, which obviously was the best.

Before we could go turtle tracking, we first had to learn about orienteering. Orienteering is when someone is able to be dropped off anywhere, have a set destination, and find their way there using only a compass, a map, and a GPS.

My favorite part of the entire day though was finding the turtles. Because Maryville College has a large number of box turtles in the woods, there is research being done on the turtles. So things like their mating habits, amount of eggs laid, size, and etc. are all being researched. I actually found the first turtle who was a large male. Since I found him I got to name him Miracle Jr.! Once we found a turtle we would use a GPS to mark the exact location that the turtle was found and take them back to get measured. Then we would record the data so that it could be in the study.

Miracle and her turtle son, Miracle Jr.

Overall, it was an amazing experience that taught me that learning to use new tools and doing things I haven’t done before (AKA tracking turtles) can turn out to be something that you love. For me it was great and I will definitely do it again when I have the chance.

Written by Sydelle Young, Scots Science Scholar 2016

Bryce Byerly being lifted over the wall

My experience with Mountain Challenge was awesome! Not only was it a fun activity, I learned a lot about myself and how much everyone can accomplish as a team. These activities aren’t something I can do alone, but we had my team right by my side to help and support everyone. Even though each challenge was difficult, we achieved our goals.

The ropes course on our second day brought us together as a team. We had to walk across a narrow path (the Windy Ridge) while holding hands and everyone had to make through before we could let go. At first, there was no strategy which involved having to start over multiple times. As we got further into the activity, we learned we had to communicate and work as a team to make it through the course. Throughout every course what I learned the most was that communication and strategy were the keys to success. The wall was the best activity because it taught us to trust each other. We knew that even if we fell down that our team was there to catch us.

Mountain Challenge taught me a lot of strong life lessons. When I first looked at the tower, I felt nervous and afraid that I wouldn’t make it to the top. When my time came to climb the tower it was hard. As I climbed I got stuck a lot of times and I thought that I was going to fall. That made me push myself more and it’s the same in life. “Climbing up the tower and getting stuck was an analogy for the obstacles and decisions in everyday life” -Raven.  Another thing I learned from the mountain challenge is there’s different ways that you can solve a situation. In the mountain

“Climbing up the tower and getting stuck was an analogy for the obstacles and decisions in everyday life,” said Raven about what climbing the tower felt like.  Another thing that I learned from Mountain Challenge is that there are different ways that you can solve a situation. In Mountain Challenge, there were multiple paths you could go up the tower to make it to the top and you use whichever one makes you comfortable. Someday there will be situations where you have to choose what is better for you.

Mountain Challenge wasn’t just about yourself if you got stuck; it was about being able to look back to your team for help. Also, if you made it to the top then you could give someone a hand up if they were struggling. I learned that these challenges and activities weren’t made to make things hard for us, but they were made to help us come together as one and learn from each other. Making it to the top of the tower and achieving these activities made me feel better about myself. They taught me that anything is possible if you try hard enough.
Another fellow Scots Science Scholar Jamie Green said, “Even though it was challenging I would do it over & over again!”

Angel Oneill and Sydelle Young (the author) at the top of the tower