POLAND — Students in Renee Abbattista’s fourth-grade science class at Holy Family School used scientific inquiry, application and practice during an outdoor scavenger hunt.

They had to observe and ask questions that could be answered through their investigations.

“They looked for biotic and abiotic organisms, compared many parts of nature and described soil from various parts of the playground,” Abbattista said. “The virtual learners had the same scavenger hunt book at home and completed the activities in their yards.”

All students then had the opportunity to compare and contrast their results via a Google Classroom meeting.

“It was a great way to be ‘scientists’ and use scientific tools while practicing mask-wearing safety procedures,” she said.

“It’s fun doing projects that my friends at school are doing, and I get to do them in my backyard,” virtual student Sam Manning said.

Abbattista said she felt the students really enjoyed the activity.

“One student was so excited to use the hand lens that he asked to keep it. Another ran up to me to show me two different-sized worms. A third student wanted to continue the activities even during recess,” she said.