St. Benedict School students study marine life in visit to Dubuque

A group of students from St. Benedict's School in Decorah now have a better idea of the importance of the Mississippi River after taking a field trip to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque.

Students learned not only about the many varieties of wildlife that live in and around the Mississippi River, but about the economic importance of the river to business and commerce.  Students learned about the diverse history of the people who have lived along the river, and how the river itself was formed and how it has changed over the eons of time.
 
Students walked through a preserved steamboat and a replica of Mark Twain's cave.  They learned about the importance of the river to both sides of the Civil War.  There was a demonstration of how humans can impact the river's fragile ecosystem, including positive and negative effects of farming practices.  Students and adults experienced a 3D/4D movie on the importance of salmon.