National Geographic author inspires Acmetonia students to explore nature in their own backyards

Science writer Jason Bittel knows that talking about exotic animals or adventure-seeking experiences to a group of fourth grade students can elicit amazement.

But Bittel’s message to students at Acmetonia Elementary School on Monday was that taking in your own surroundings — even if just in the Alle-Kiski Valley — can also be breathtaking and beautiful.

Bittel, a published National Geographic author, talked with fourth grade students in Elizabeth Newill’s science classes about the importance of reading, writing and caring for the environment, and took them outside to a wooded area behind the school for a nature walk.

“Science and nature are literally all around us, at all times,” said Bittel, of Murrysville. “It’s easy to wow them with lions and penguins, and I’m wowed by them as well, but acorn ants, woodpeckers, you name it, it’s all around us, all the time.”

Bittel writes stories on nature and science for all audiences — from The New York Times and the Washington Post, to three children’s books. He said he grew up in Western Pennsylvania and fell into a career of science writing that he didn’t know could be an occupation.

“It’s a dream job I didn’t know existed,” he said. “Every single day, I get to learn.”

He encouraged students that they could grow up to be science writers, or researchers or teachers.

“There’s a big need for general science literacy,” he said.

Bittel talked to students about his career and experiences, and then led a nature walk outside the school, where students opened their eyes to different insects and plants. He reiterated that students should respect the environment and their surroundings.

“It was pretty cool how he could show us things that we usually don’t notice in nature,” said student Kathleen Marutiak, 10. “We would’ve normally walked by, we wouldn’t have noticed.”

Quinn Leleck, 10, agreed.

“I learned if you don’t look around, you won’t see the beautiful things in nature,” she said.

While Bittel showed students about their everyday surroundings, he also offered reading and writing tips that will soon come in handy — Newill’s students are assigned a final project on an animal native to Pennsylvania.

“It leads them to appreciate the wildlife that’s already here, and it’s giving them an anchor that they someday can pursue further.”

Newill’s science students also completed their EcoStudent challenge, which tests their skills by learning 100 facts about the environment. Students have two weeks to study and find sponsors to donate money for every question they get correct on the exam.

“That requires the kids to talk about what they’re learning, and study,” Newill said.

Students from Acmetonia, the Hampton Township School District, Armstrong High School and Springdale High School participated in the EcoStudent challenge. It raised more than $10,000 to be donated to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History; the National Aviary; the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania; Cape Clasp, a Massachusetts company that works with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy; Whale & Dolphin Conservation; and the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

“We want to offer these experiences that are not just a chapter in a science book,” Newill said.