The Talcott Mountain campus was alive with discovery as students, teachers, and volunteers gathered on Friday, September 12, for the Academy’s 7th Annual BioBlitz. The daylong event offered an exploration of the rich biodiversity surrounding our mountaintop home.
“BioBlitz allowed us to step outside the classroom and apply our knowledge through a fun and interactive all day event that taught, exposed, and connected us more to nature and each other,” said Dean.
This year, students tried something new: the iNaturalist app, a citizen science tool that allows users to photograph and identify species while contributing data to real scientific research. Throughout the day, students recorded 433 observations and identified 191 species, uncovering everything from flowers and trees to frogs, spiders, bird feathers, and even snake skins.
“My favorite part of BioBlitz was identifying plants and animals and learning what type they were in a few seconds with iNaturalist,” said Nikhil. “The coolest animal I saw was a dead bird found on the sundial.”
BioBlitz is an opportunity to see science in action, ask questions about the natural world, and understand our place within it. Thanks to the energy of our students, the guidance of our teachers, and the support of volunteers, this year’s event was a true success. We can’t wait to see what discoveries next year will bring!
Stay curious with us! Visit our events page to learn more about upcoming Talcott Mountain Academy programs and events.
