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Sixth Graders Conclude Yearlong Environmental Study of Local Ecosystems
Sixth grade science students have been preparing formal, scientific lab reports and posters to communicate the results of their yearlong study of seasonal changes in our diverse local ecosystems. The posters will be presented in scientific meeting format on May 22 at Showcase Night.
For science teacher Lisa Hjelm, “The most exciting part of this project is that they are conducting environmental studies in the same ways that scientists do, collecting data over time to record and document the effects of climate change.” Ecosystems found in the wilderness area of Filoli, a National Historic Site, were the study areas. Individually, and in small groups, our students observed two of six possible ecosystems in three seasons, using field journals and handheld computers to collect and record data. The students used probes to collect air temperature data, and in their field journals they drew detailed diagrams and wrote descriptions of the changes in biodiversity they observed.
The original project was designed in partnership with environmental scientists at Stanford and was supported by a Toyota Tapestry Grant. It has become a self- sustaining program, thanks to the support of Filoli volunteers who act as wilderness guides.
“This program fosters authentic science skills, independence, collaboration, and project-based learning in an outdoor environment, all of which are passions of mine,” said Ms. Hjelm. “Students develop critical thinking skills and at the same time are inspired to become stewards of our shared natural resources.”
Student Raquel S. reflected on her experience: “In the oak woodlands I learned what snowberries look like and how to recognize poison oak. In the redwood forest I learned what a bay laurel tree smells like and the difference between redwood cones and Douglas fir cones. I liked seeing the different ecosystems in nature, and since it was fall, there were a lot of leaves on the ground. They were really pretty because they were red and orange.” MORE PHOTOS
