By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

NORCO – Eighth-graders from Harry Hurst Middle School had the opportunity to use what they learned in school during the 15th annual Wetlands Celebration on the Bonnet Carre Spillway.
The Hurst students taught fourth-graders from across the St. Charles Parish School District the value of the Louisiana wetlands in a series of eight hands-on-instruction learning stations. The event was organized by Barry Guillot, a science teacher at Hurst, who said the program is funded completely by donations and grants.
“Our kids use all the things they learn during the year and teach the fourth-graders. They’re helping another generation learn about what’s going on, and it’s important that they hear it from other kids because they listen more when kids are talking to them,” said Guillot.
The stations taught a variety of information, such as casting nets, using crab lines, water safety, identifying microinvertibrates, soil erosion and learning about crawfish. The stations also hosted fun activities like group games, interactive displays, a performance by Cajun fiddler Amanda Shaw, face painting and “up close and personal” visits with live alligators, snakes and turtles.
The program also integrated the help of 20 different partners, such as Miss Louisiana U.S.A., Atmos Energy, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff Marine Division and Shell Pipeline.
A fun and educational time was had for all involved. Guillot said 800 fourth-graders, 200 middle-schoolers and 100 high-schoolers participated in the this year’s event.
“We are representing the wetlands and showing people how we need them,” said Alyssa Acker, a student at Hurst. “We’re trying to tell the people that wetlands are needed, and that if we lose it, we’ll lose a lot. We lose a lot of it each year, so we’re trying to save it.”