Grade 8 Explores Ecology through Fat Bear Week and the Brooks River Ecosystem

This fall, our Grade 8 students embarked on an exciting journey into the world of ecology, focusing on the pristine Brooks River ecosystem in Katmai National Park, Alaska. This learning experience aligned perfectly with the annual Fat Bear Week competition, an event that not only captivates students but also draws over a million votes from the public, eager to crown the year’s “fattest” bear as it prepares for winter.

Fat Bear Week, which took place this year the week of October 2, saw Grazer, a resilient mother bear, take the title over Chunk, a dominant male at the peak of the bear hierarchy. Each student selected a bear to research, eagerly cheering on their pick as they deepened their understanding of the ecosystem at Katmai. Through their chosen bears, students observed the concepts of habitat, hierarchy, adaptation, and keystone species in action, gaining valuable insights into the intricate connections within an ecosystem.

As an end-of-unit project, the students showcased their knowledge of key ecological concepts, including biotic and abiotic factors, hibernation, life cycles, and limiting factors. They had the option to either compose an essay or create a children’s book centered on the bears and salmon of Brooks River. Most students chose to write essays, many of which displayed impressive depth of understanding and critical analysis.

A few students opted to create children's books, capturing the ecosystem’s wonder in a format designed to educate young readers. Among these, Emilia P.'s hand-illustrated book stood out. With her artful depictions of the Katmai bears and the lively Brooks River environment, Emilia brought her research to life with vibrant detail, while her classmates created their books using Canva to engage readers visually.

Our Grade 8 students' work reflects not only their understanding of ecological principles but also their appreciation of the vital and delicate balance within natural systems. Through their essays and books, students have contributed to an educational legacy that inspires a love for nature and an awareness of the importance of preserving ecosystems like the Brooks River.