Ecosystem Enhancement Project

Depending on the scope of the project appropriate for your class, this project can be ongoing or can be carried out at the end of the unit during the Stewardship section (weeks 14-16). For an ongoing project, we suggest introducing it at the end of the "Ecosystem Survey" lesson.

STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
- Identify strengths of their local ecosystem and note areas for potential improvement.
- Plan a strategy to enhance their local ecosystem.

GUIDING QUESTION: How can we enhance or maintain our ecosystem?

MATERIALS:
- Determined by chosen project

CLASS ACTIVITIES:
1. Students and teacher plan a project to enhance local ecosystem. Review (or brainstorm, if your class has not previously discussed) the strengths and weaknesses of your schoolyard ecosystem. Decide what areas most need improvement, and strategize the best way for your class to address these problems.
2. Example projects: Weed removal, habitat creation, bird or bat boxes, ecosystem monitoring - any service learning project to enhance environment.
3. This project ideally could be ongoing, providing an activity for students to work on throughout the term. At the teacher's discretion, it could be introduced at any point in the term, whenever the students seem prepared to identify and plan a project.