Disney's Planet Challenge Researches the Butterflies!
My students need three laptops to aid them in their mission to save the butterflies.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Biehls's classroom raised $981
This project is fully funded
My Students
In 2001, it was reported that butterfly populations in Michigan had dropped by approximately 40%. My students live in a unique area. There is not very much vacant land in our city, but we do have a small patch of trees behind our school.
I teach a fabulous group of fourth grade students at a fine and performing arts charter school.
The area in which they live has felt the crash of the American auto industries in a very real and heartbreaking way. However, you would never know that by watching my students. They have such a zest for life and a philanthropic spirit.
My students want to give back, and they also have a need for more "nature" in their lives. We have students from twenty-five different cities in our school. Although these students come from several different communities, every city in our area has one thing in common: almost every "paradise" has been paved and covered with a parking lot (or some other urban structure).
My Project
There are 5 species of endangered butterflies and 9 species of threatened butterflies and moths in our state. There are 39 moths and butterflies that are of "special concern". This means that the populations are declining quickly. There are few enough to raise a red flag, but since their numbers are unknown or not quite low enough, they're not protected by the state. (Information provided by Endangered Species Program of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Natural Features Inventory.)
It's our Earth and it's our job to help these butterflies survive and thrive. My students are planning to help the butterflies by creating a butterfly garden behind our school. They will use these netbooks to do everything from researching the types of plants that will be most beneficial for the butterflies, to taking pictures of the butterflies with the netbooks' cameras so they can determine which species of butterflies the garden is attracting.
This project will help my students in ways that nobody can imagine.
Your donation will enable them to replenish butterfly populations in our little corner of the Earth. You will be providing my students with the tools they need to achieve their goal of increasing specific butterfly species. You will inspire my students to be active participants in their education. You will make school a much more hands-on and memorable experience. This will be a lasting project that they will not soon forget!
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Biehls and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.