Anna Leigh Conway, president of the Carbon Career & Technical Institute Educational Association and president of the Carbon County Education Association, addressed the CCTI Joint Operating Committee Thursday night.

She thanked them for their support of the field biology course, which allows the students to have hands-on opportunities around the community.

Conway, a science instructor at CCTI, gave the JOC an update on her department.

“Last spring we competed in the Carbon County Envirothon Competition at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center. I am happy to report back that we had a second-place finish with one of our senior teams, which I didn’t get to share last spring.”

The winning team was the “Green Goblins,” made up of students Kaiden German, Abigail Orach, Audrey Ramos, James Silfies and Emilia Tenisci.

Thirty students took a field trip to the Tannersville Cranberry Bog to do research at a Nature Conservancy-owned property, Conway said.

“Our students complete water tests, soil tests, and have the ability to observe dozens of species of plants and animals in this habitat,” Conway said.

This January, the department will receive 200-500 trout eggs that they will raise and monitor water quality until their release in the spring.

“The course is unique, as we explore forestry, aquatics, wildlife and soil as it pertains to Pennsylvania. It lends itself for many collaborative opportunities with our technical areas as well,” Conway said.

Conway displayed samples of sphagnum moss found at the bog, as well as water samples.

Conway also thanked Eugene Colosimo, who has worked to help transition many students to higher education and careers. He has a diverse background in school counseling.