School Programs BRDC, Admin School Programs BRDC, Admin

Learning about Amphibians & Aquatic Insects

BRDC has been busy with education programs, working with Galax Middle School, Fries School, Fairview Elementary, Grayson Highlands, Independence Elementary.

Grayson County's fourth grade students participated in the Natural Heritage Program with an emphasis on salamanders, toads, and frogs. Students learned about salamanders commonly found in the Blue Ridge.

BRDC has been busy with education programs, working with Galax Middle School, Fries School, Fairview Elementary, Grayson Highlands, Independence Elementary.

Grayson County's fourth grade students participated in the Natural Heritage Program with an emphasis on salamanders, toads, and frogs. Students learned about salamanders commonly found in the Blue Ridge.  Using field guides, they researched different species of salamander and presented their discoveries to the class.  The Eastern hellbender was a favorite among the students, as they were shocked by its prehistoric features. Students enjoyed watching a video about the life history of hellbenders provided by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Fifth grade students in Grayson County schools learned about frogs and toads. Students illustrated the life cycle of amphibians, learned the difference between frogs and toads, and listened to the calls of some of Virginia's common species. Many students had heard the calls before, but often didn't know what animal made the calls. The Virginia Herpetological Society's website is a great resource for determining different frog and toad calls: https://goo.gl/v84gqS.

After learning the calls of the American bullfrog, spring peeper, and American toad, students played a Frog and Toad matching game. Using a Peterson Guidebook to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, students matched the species name, picture, and description together. 

Galax Middle School After School program has been learning all about aquatic species. BRDC brought aquatic insects from a local stream to the classroom where students got a first-hand look at the life found in our creeks. Students learned about the life cycle of the insects, and enjoyed fly tying with Executive Director Aaron Floyd. 

In-school programming keeps BRDC's staff busy, but it is great to work with such a variety grade levels and see the enjoyment and wonder on the children's faces. To stay connected with BRDC follow us on Instagram @blueridgediscoverycenter.

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Aaron Floyd Aaron Floyd

Meet Jay Martin!

We are excited to welcome wildlife biologist Jay Martin to the Blue Ridge Discovery Center team! Jay will be filling our Naturalist/Educator position starting this spring and will be leading many of our programs over the summer. 

We are excited to welcome wildlife biologist Jay Martin to the Blue Ridge Discovery Center team! Jay will be filling our Naturalist/Educator position starting this spring and will be leading many of our programs over the summer. 

Jay comes to us from the US Forest Service Office where he developed a library of knowledge about the Mount Rogers region and strong relationships with area partners. Jay has years of experience in the field ranging from bird banding to fisheries biology. At BRDC, he will be continuing some of the research projects that he led for the USFS, helping us grow our partnership with the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. 

Jay's biology knowledge will bring another dynamic to BRDC programs and help participants build deep connections with the great outdoors. Beyond his scientific training, Jay is also a professional photographer, with the ability to capture telephoto, macro, time-lapse photos. Keep a look out for his photography skills on display soon!

We are looking forward to having Jay on board to serve the BRDC mission! I hope you will join us in welcoming him to Blue Ridge Discovery Center. You can email him at jay@blueridgediscoverycenter.org

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