Water, Soil Topics at St. Rose Science Club Meeting

The St. Rose of Lima Science Club met for their October session, Thursday evening, covering the topics of waterways, erosion, soil, and conservation. It was a muddy and wet time! The meeting was facilitated by Fayette County’s Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Agent, Scott Willey, as well as husband and wife Phyllis and Lee Frisch, and Matthew Bartek. The meeting’s organizers set up three stations; rainfall simulator, a water tarp, and a soil testing station.

At the rainfall simulator, Mr. Frisch showed how rain passes differently through three different soil types. Students learned how plants control erosion because of their root structure and ability to hold soil together. Mr. Willey challenged students to move water around a tarp and into a bucket to demonstrate the way water flows. Mr. Bartek helped students at the soil testing station understand the main components of soil and how to test for them using a method of making “soil ribbons”.

The final challenge of the meeting happened when Mr. Willey unveiled the Stream Trailer – a pull-behind trailer equipped to demonstrate how waterways work by allowing students to explore the natural flow of water. The trailer bed contains plastic “sand”, plants, rocks, shrubs, and grass, which can be moved and manipulated. The trailer is equipped with a pump that allows water to flow over the “landscape”. Club members were divided into three groups and competed in an erosion control experiment. Members had to create an environment, which prevented the sand from being washed away.

The science club will be finishing out the calendar year with a meeting at the Kainer Veterinary Clinic in Weimar and the Fayette County Recycling Center. The club has been generously underwritten by the Schulenburg Knights of Columbus. The club will continue to raise funds to support their educational efforts as well as to donate scientific equipment and tools to St. Rose School.