Most people walk or drive right past the pond at the heart of the Lake Oconee Academy campus without giving it a second thought. For Mrs. Hiter's seventh-grade science students, however, the pond became the starting point for discovering an entire microscopic world hidden just beneath the surface.

Armed with collection cups, droppers, and a healthy dose of curiosity, students ventured to the campus pond to gather water samples before returning to the laboratory. What appeared to be an ordinary cup of pond water quickly transformed into a fascinating ecosystem as students prepared microscope slides and searched for life hidden from the naked eye.

Soon, the science room buzzed with excitement. "Everyone wanted to find something moving," Mrs. Hiter said. "Whenever one group discovered something interesting, the rest of the class would gather around that microscope to see it for themselves. Science literally comes alive when students discover something on their own."

Students identified algae, rotifers, and a variety of other microscopic organisms, carefully observing how they moved, comparing their findings, and sketching what they saw through the microscope. Along the way, they practiced thinking like scientists—asking questions, making observations, and drawing conclusions based on what they discovered.

For seventh-grader Sadie Rhoades, the lesson quickly became a favorite. "Seeing what was in the pond water was my favorite part of the day," she said. "Our group thought it was so cool finding a tiny bug crawling around in the microscope. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but it was a big surprise to see something moving."

She laughed as she recalled another memorable moment from the morning. "A silly moment was when Kinsley almost slipped in the pond, but luckily we saved her!"

Mrs. Hiter, who has been a part of LOA for fifteen years, believes experiences like these help students connect classroom concepts to the real world. Known for her hands-on teaching style, she intentionally creates opportunities for students to learn through exploration and discovery.

"Years from now, I hope students remember that science class was a fun place to be," she said. "The best learning happens when students are actively engaged, asking questions, making discoveries, and experiencing science for themselves."

By using the school's campus as an extension of the classroom, Mrs. Hiter gave students the opportunity to see that meaningful learning can happen anywhere—even in a single drop of pond water. The experience reminded students that science isn't confined to textbooks or laboratories. Sometimes, the greatest discoveries begin with curiosity, a walk outside, good friends gathered around a microscope, and one tiny drop of pond water.

At Lake Oconee Academy, moments like these reflect a larger commitment to Citizenship, Scholarship, and Community, inspiring students to explore the world around them and develop a lifelong love of learning.