Learning About Helpful Insects in the Great Outdoors
My students need and outdoor work area as well as insects and habitats so they can explore, investigate, and learn about the helpful insects around our schoolyard garden.
First through fourth grade students are doing amazing work learning about the engineering design process and four-Cs of effective group work in the STEM lab and schoolyard garden.
My students enjoy working collaboratively, while using critical thinking skills, to solve challenges related to science, technology, engineering, and math.
Skills such as creative problem solving, effective communication, and teamwork are encouraged as students work. In addition to the work they do in class, these hard-working students complete projects at home, before school, and even during lunch.
My Project
Our school has a beautiful schoolyard garden where environmental lessons about soil, pollinators, plant growth, composting and weather take place almost year round. Unfortunately students and teachers do not have a place to effectively work outside near the garden as they learn about the insects helping with the garden. It is difficult for teachers to hold classes when there is no seating and the grassy area around the garden is wet. Carrying out experiments is a challenge with uneven ground, and using technology with no safe landing place is not ideal.
These insects and the outdoor classroom will create a wonderful outdoor learning space for over 650 students as they learn about helpful insects in our school garden.
This project includes the purchase of ladybugs, composting worms, and butterfly larvae as well as bee hotels and ladybug homes. The project also includes a portion of materials needed for the outdoor classroom.
The space itself will have seating and work space for students who wish to sit or stand as they learn about the insects working in the garden. Student gardeners will have a safe place to use mobile devices and microscopes as they record data after lessons related to the helpful garden insects.
Teachers will be able to walk outside with their classes and teach a lesson about the insects while being very close to the garden and other outdoor spaces. It will be wonderful for students to be able to carry out experiments in the outdoor classroom as the students will be right next to those all important insects.
This outdoor classroom will make learning about the environment and how insects help humans so much easier.
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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 Mrs. Sletta and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
