Sixth Grade Explores Ancient Seas at the Natural History Museum

As part of their science curriculum, Poly’s sixth graders study the geology of the Big Bear area in preparation for their annual September outdoor education trip. The geological history of this region holds many mysteries. Among them, the story of the ancient sea that once covered what is now Big Bear and much of Southern California. To deepen their understanding of this topic as the year continues, students visited the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County on November 3, exploring the museum’s L.A. Underwater Exhibit as part of their investigation into the area’s prehistoric oceans.

The field trip connected classroom learning with real-world discovery. "A field trip is so much more than the day of bus rides and seeing a museum,” said Middle School Science Teacher Susan Bartow, who organized the visit. "The trip preparation allows each student to be an active participant in establishing purpose for their learning and the follow-up activities allow each student to reflect on not only what they learned, but also what they value in their learning experience." 

Before the visit, students conducted independent research on the museum’s exhibits to decide which ones they most wanted to explore. Options included Gems and Minerals, The Age of Mammals, Dinosaur Hall, Reframing Dioramas, and The History of Los Angeles. “I felt it was really important to give each student a voice in how they would spend part of their day at the museum,” Susan shared.

Grouped by interest, students spent the morning exploring their chosen exhibits and taking in some of the museum’s highlights, such as Gnatalie—the striking green fossilized dinosaur—and a once-censored mural depicting Los Angeles’ layered history.

After a picnic lunch by the Exposition Park Rose Garden, students took a nature walk, identifying characteristics of the Rosaceae family and connecting their botany lessons to the beautiful setting around them. The afternoon concluded in the museum’s Nature Lab, where students learned about the coyotes, rattlesnakes, rats, and other wild creatures that share our urban spaces.

Back at school, sixth graders reflected on what they had learned about the ancient ocean and how it tied into their study of regional geology. They also discussed the importance of museums as places for discovery and learning.

Ida K. ’32 shared, “Just going to that museum I feel smarter, and I know more about history and science.” Miriam D. ’32 added, “Museums help me answer questions or wonders that I have.”

When asked what they learned from the experience, students’ responses showed curiosity and excitement for science.

“The moon snails (animals that are known to inhabit shallow water) helped scientists figure out that there was an earthquake that sent creatures to the ocean floor 2–3 million years ago,” said Alice Z. ’32.

Graeme G. ’32 said, “I learned a lot on this field trip, but my favorite was the creatures I saw, such as the ammonite, which is a squid-like creature with a shell. Another thing I thought was really cool was the prehistoric plankton that turned into oil we use today.”

According to Willa F. ’32, “I didn’t know that megalodons lived where we are today!”

“The trip provided students with the opportunity to make shared memories with classmates, and learn about aspects of our world that they could not have imagined," said Susan.