Saco students discuss and debate the jetty at mock city meeting

Fourth grade students from C.K. Burns in Saco engaged in scientific and civic discourse during a mock city meeting at Saco City Hall on Tuesday.

In a program spearheaded by The Ecology School, students were seated into groups, portraying residents from different sectors of the community – including bait and tackle shop owners, bed and breakfast owners, people in the lobstering industry, shoreline residents, bird biologists, and residents living along the upper Saco River.

Meg Edstrom Jones, director of educational partnerships at The Ecology School, portrayed a scientist who discussed the Saco Jetty. She talked about both the historical and scientific aspects of the structure, explaining that it was built to create a clear shipping channel in the Saco River, but over the years has negatively impacted the shoreline and caused beach erosion.

Students then, in their small groups, discussed their position on the jetty as a member of their stakeholder group. They defended the position of the group they were portraying, which in some cases was not their own personal opinion.

Representatives from each group dressed up in costumes provided by The Ecology School and presented their position as a member of the stakeholder group to the mayor, portrayed by an Ecology School Educator Alia Franczyk.

CK. Burns Students Colton Stoddard and Andrew Taylor present their opinions as local stakeholders to the mayor, portrayed by Ecology School Educator Alia Franczyk, in a mock meeting at Saco City Hall. PHOTO BY LIZ GOTTHELF

Colton Stoddard, donning a red vest over his school clothes and sunglasses, played a bait and tackle shop owner. He and his cohorts noted that the jetty provides anglers access to deeper water and more fish.

Colton said that while it was a little stressful presenting in front of other students, it was fun and he had learned a lot.

Pietro Oliver, representing a coastal homeowner, gave an impassioned speech about protecting homes.

“We don’t like the jetty because its causing us to lose our homes. I don’t want to move away from the beach,” he said.

After the exercise was over, Pietro said, “I feel bad for all those people who lost their homes.”

Teacher Josh Wynne said students studied erosion and how it affects the coast. He said the mock meeting is a good hands-on learning experience that shows how lessons in the classroom can connect to their community.

Jones said prior to the meeting, the students went on a field trip to Camp Ellis with Ecology School staff so they could see the Saco Jetty and participate in some place-based learning to supplement their classroom learning.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.