Wade into wonder as you explore Oxbow Lake and meet the curious insects offering clues about ecosystem health.

Get your feet wet, your hands dirty, and your brain buzzing as you investigate the critters that skate across the surface, dart beneath the water, cling to rocks, and burrow into the muck—all while discovering what their presence reveals about our environment.

Guided by Oxbow Education Program Manager Kent Chapple, this workshop takes you to the edge of Oxbow Lake, a restored habitat teeming with wriggly, wonderful critters. Together, we’ll scoop, observe, and identify the tiny aquatic creatures—like dragonfly larvae and freshwater clams—that help us understand the health of our local waters.

You’ll Experience:

• Real-life Bioindicators: Learn how aquatic bugs reveal water quality in a fun and hands-on way.
• Field Science for Everyone: Gain confidence using simple tools and your senses to explore your environment.
• Joyful Discovery: Experience the thrill of uncovering a hidden world, where tiny creatures spark big questions and bigger connections.

No lab coats or fancy scientific equipment needed—just curiosity and a sense of adventure! You’ll learn how to spot pollution-sensitive species, discover what their presence (or absence) means, and walk away with the tools to observe and protect your local ecosystems. Whether you’re a young bug lover, a curious adult, or a family looking for a screen-free science day, this is your chance to “dive” into the magic of a world often overlooked.

About Your Facilitator:

Kent Chapple was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest (Portland, OR), and has over 14 years of experience developing and delivering environmental education and science programming. Kent earned his BS in Biology from Southern Oregon University and his Masters in Education from the University of California Santa Cruz. He has a passion for curriculum development and has implemented various best practices for science education, including the Next Generation Science Standards that we use as a reference point for OxEd programs. Kent likes things that start with “B,” such as boats, bikes, books, blueberries, beets, and being on and around water. He also loves to geek out on often-overlooked invertebrates and learn the stories of places (new and familiar), their people, and their more-than-human inhabitants.

Grant-supported Pricing

We’re excited to offer this workshop at just $5, thanks to generous funding from 4Culture’s Doors Open grant! This experience is valued over $20, but the grant helps us make it accessible to more of our community.

We’re deeply grateful for this support, which allows us to connect more people with outdoor learning experiences.

All participants must register in advance—spaces are limited!