Submitted by Jane Hayes 3-11-26
Stanton Elementary Students Connect with Powell County Scientist in Live Rainforest Presentation: Red River Gorge Discovery Zone
Fourth- and fifth-grade students at Stanton Elementary School recently explored the world of reptiles, plants, and rainforest biodiversity during a special Red River Gorge Discovery Zone “Meet the Scientists” event held March 4.
The Red River Gorge Discovery Zone (RRGDZ) is a traveling pop-up learning experience focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM). Through hands-on activities and live presentations, it introduces students to the natural history and conservation of the Red River Gorge while connecting them to scientists working around the world.
At Stanton Elementary’s newly constructed school—designed with collaborative learning pods that encourage interaction between grade levels and disciplines— about 120 fourth- and fifth-graders and their teachers rotated through hands-on science stations exploring plant and animal adaptations designed and facilitated by RRGDZ volunteers.
Students examined two well-known local spiders, the brown recluse and black widow, learning about their adaptations and how scientists study them (Jason Vaughn). At another station, students discovered how carnivorous plants such as the Venus flytrap capture insects to survive in nutrient-poor soils (Sandy Hall).
Students also investigated the fascinating adaptations of hummingbirds, including their incredible flight abilities and specialized feeding behaviors, and built simple hummingbird feeders to take home (Belinda Lynn and Tara Gilbert Wells).
At the owl station, students learned how birds’ beak shapes are adapted for different foods through the book Owen Owl’s Wise Words: A Book About Bird Beak Adaptations written by Clay City Elementary teachers and sisters Melinda and Julia Richardson (Judith Wilson).
Students also learned about the remarkable survival strategies of Kentucky’s native prickly pear cactus, including water storage, protective spines, waxy coatings, shallow root systems, and nighttime breathing. They even performed a short skit illustrating the cactus’ adaptations (Jane Hayes).
The highlight of the event was a live virtual presentation from the rainforest of Panama, where former Powell County teacher Judy Dourson is currently conducting field research.
For many families in the community, Dourson is a familiar name. A longtime Powell County educator and naturalist, she taught generations of local students, meaning some of the children attending the presentation likely have parents who once sat in her classroom.
Now serving as Director of Science and Research for the nonprofit Geoversity, Nature’s University, Dourson is working with interns Dyllon Coubrough and Chris Simmons at Centro Mamoni, a rainforest research station in Panama.
Through videoconferencing technology, students were able to take a virtual tour of the field station and surrounding jungle in real time. The presentation introduced them to concepts such as biodiversity, adaptations, patterns in nature, and the scientific method, illustrated with fascinating videos of leaf-cutter ants, dancing spiders, and a snail-eating snake. The most exciting part of the presentation featured cutting edge, never seen before research footage from trail cams depicting a tropical bird, the rufous motmot, using a rock as anvil to break open snail shells in order to consume their flesh. What a great opportunity for Powell County students to see real scientific research in action!
The program concluded with an enthusiastic question-and-answer session, with students asking thoughtful questions—many of them about the rainforest’s monkeys.
Acknowledgements
The Discovery Zone event was coordinated with logistical support from Pam Johnson (SES), with videoconferencing assistance provided by Shane Morris, John Micah Crowe, and Ashley Randall of the Powell County School System.
Funded by grants from TC Energy, Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, and Powell County Tourism Commission, and supported by fiscal sponsors Community Partners of Powell County and Powell County Tourism, the all-volunteer effort includes other organizations and team members not listed above. Organizations/individuals who donated or loaned items to assist the Discovery Zone in the 2025 season include Belinda and Randy Lynn and Pam Johnson. Father Al Fritsch, may he rest in peace, formerly of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Appalachia Science in the Public Interest, Society of Jesus, and formerly of Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church (Stanton) and of St. Elizabeth of Hungary (Ravenna), was the inspiration for the Discovery Zone.
Check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rrgdiscoveryzone/ and our website at rrgdiscoveryzone.com and join us at the next event!
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