After learning about the diminishing homes of bats and the pivotal roles they play in ecosystems, with a new-found respect for these critters, Go Wild students researched what bats eat, where they live, and what bats are native to their school community. The result? Students at Abbotsford Christian School took action and built new bat homes! With the help of a local expert, they have found proper places throughout the community and on their school grounds to mount these homes, helping local bats thrive.
Month: September 2017
HILLCREST ELEMENTARY’S COURTYARD BUTTERFLY GARDEN PROJECT
With support from Go Wild School Grants, Hillcrest students and teaching were able to double the size of an existing garden to provide more habitat for butterflies and pollinators. Whether it was removing rocks and weeds, digging and planting, painting the planters, or creating celebration activities, all 295 students at the school in Salmon Arm, BC, helped to observe and contribute to the entire process.
“It was exciting to see these young people working hard and loving it.”
–Tyra, teacher
LEARNING RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS, BY STUDENTS
The goal of this Go Wild project was for students to create a published, multi-copy field ID resource for other students at Frank J Mitchel Elementary School, focusing on trees and shrubs on their immediate school property and local wetlands. Students involved in the project spent time in nature researching, curating, and taking photos of local trees and shrubs. At the end of the project, students have become more knowledgeable about their local plants and trees.
“I was selling lemonade last weekend on the street and knew the Black Cottonwood tree by the fluffy whiteness.”
– Autumn, Grade 4
OAK LAKE GOES WILD FOR THE PRAIRIES
This action project connected students in Oak Lake, AB, with the local prairie biome. Oak Lake Community School went Wild for the Prairies, engaged students with a wide range of activities, including local cleanups, fields trips, research projects on the risks to Prairie habitats and how sustainable practices can help them, and the creation of a prairie grass demonstration bed to bring these issues to life.
“We are learning about our Prairie culture and animals we might see so we don’t forget about the land we all come from.”
– Dara, Grade 5.
ALL HANDS IN TO CREATE A SCHOOL-WIDE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
Students, teachers and community volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help create a school-wide outdoor classroom. This outdoor classroom invites each class at École Elizabeth Rummel in Canmore, AB, to visit weekly and observe and study the seasonal changes that are occur over the year. Together, they hope to protect the existing habitats that already exist in their school community and mobilize students to become actively involved in taking their learning beyond the school environment.
OPENING A NEW WINDOW INTO NATURE DISCOVERY
In Thunder Bay, ON, Roots & Branches Forest School proposed to create Exploration Kits to pique students’ curiosity around the environment. The guides, magnifying glasses and binoculars would allowed students to get even closer to all the plants and creatures around them, inspiring art projects and experiments!
“The binoculars, field guides, and magnifying glasses opened up a whole new window into their nature discovery. They use the guides to find out what unknown plants and animals are called, and love having access to information right at their fingertips.”
– Emily, teacher.
CITIZEN SCIENTISTS FROM ST MARY’S HELPING LOCAL AT-RISK TURTLES
Grade 4 and 5 students in Aylesford, NS, at St Mary’s transformed into citizen scientists with their Go Wild projects, getting out into the field to collect scientific data, helping to locate at-risk turtles with a local conservation group. Using radio telemetry, students were given the opportunity to learn how to use the receive and antennae to track tagged turtles. Through this project, students learned how they can directly help support local wildlife conservation initiatives as well as educate others.
CITIZEN SCIENCE FOR LEWISVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
In Moncton, NB, students at Lewisville Middle School invited 400 salmon eggs into their classroom, observing them through the early stages of their lifecycle, caring for them until their release. Through this project, the students were able to help support more salmon eggs to their fry stage for release to the wild.
“I really liked this project because I learned all the different stages in a salmon life cycle.”
– Miguel, Grade 6.
ENVISIONING NEW SCHOOLYARD SPACES
In Florenceville Bristol, NB, individual students at Bristol Elementary School envisioned what their schoolyard should look like to help welcome wildlife. Taking pen to paper, students drafted their plans and the result was a butterfly garden to attract species, provide habitats and a location where students can actively learn. From start to finish, students learn about the planning and execution phase. In following years, the space will be expanded to include bird houses to welcome even more species.
DEMONSTRATING CITIZENSHIP SKILLS IN THE COMMUNITY
The goal of this project was to raise students’ awareness of the living things in the environment, specifically the bat species in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Creating real wooden bat houses that could be put to use outdoors, students at École Bannatyne assembled and painted the bat boxes with the help of students at the local middle school. The result? Not only did the project raise student awareness but awareness in the community too. Several completed bat boxes were requested by and donated to local homeowners, cottages, and local conservation organizations.
