Into Spring...Workshop Review Part I

Photos and Teacher Comments about 

Spring Workshop 2018

Hemlock Woolly Bully Group
 on Hemlock Hospice Trail

Forest Ecologist, David Orwig showed Hemlock Woolly Bully teachers the current state of the impact of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid at Harvard Forest and regionally.  

Woolly Bully teachers were shown artist, David Buckley Borden's sculptural interpretation of impact of this insect on the region's forests as they visited his Hemlock Hospice installation.  Dr. Orwig showed the impact of another insect, the Hemlock Borer as well.  Teachers viewed the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and it's "woolly" egg sacs under the microscope indoors.

Teachers took a closer look at the Adelgid under the scope

Bark from Borer damage on Ground

Forest Ecologist, David Orwig updating Woolly Bully Group

Rule Breaking Teachers!

 One teacher reported that  going over data collection methods and looking at Adelgid was her favorite part of the workshop.

A new teacher reported:  I’m excited to start working on this project!

Another teacher commented:  Hands on is always the best

One teacher rated going over data collection methods and looking at adelgid as the most valuable part of the workshop.



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 Forest Ecologist, John O'Keefe shared results of his study of the timing of Spring Budburst and its impact on the changing length of the growing season as related to the Buds, Leaves and Global Warming Schoolyard Ecology study.  Dr. O'Keefe also prepared teachers to lead their students in observing the stages of bud opening as the buds expand and open before the new leaf fully emerges in the spring.  Teachers also practiced tree identification using branches of a wide variety of native tree species both indoors and outdoors.

Buds Teachers found the following most valuable from the field walk and breakout session:

              I learn something new every time I go outside on the walk- example: noticing the difference between                      flowers and leaf buds, especially for Maples.

              This really gives me new energy as our classes head out to observe and collect data!

John is always amazing at helping us with any question!!!

Looking at Buds at different stages. Learning some info about how different species go through the process.

 Getting logistical ideas from teachers on the project.

seeing stages of puffiness in buds

Recommitted to going out in the field, making observations, analyzing data, and asking scientific questions.

Looking at trees and showing buds on different species

Forest Ecologist and Site Manager, Audrey Barker Plotkin, introduced Our Changing Forests teachers to the Soil Warming plots in order to see a unique way in which scientists are studying about the climate change at Harvard Forest.  Researchers have been monitoring effects of warming soil in a series of small plots over many years as a way of modeling impacts of climate change on future forests.  

Audrey shared the story of the unexpected  results of this study.  Initially there was a distinct downward trend in the amount of carbon being released into the atmosphere from the soil. After several years, the carbon seemed to be depleted and amounts hovered around zero for a few years. Surprisingly, in the past several years, the amount of carbon being released has increased steadily again.  Researchers are working to understand what mechanisms are to explain for the unexpected patterns in carbon cycling in warmed plots.  They are particularly focused on microbial activity in the soil.  

Audrey showed teachers graphs of 
carbon release from soil in warmed plots
 versus control plots. This data illustrate
 the importance of doing long term
 research.  

Teachers found the following valuable about the Our Changing Forests walk and breakout group:

So many connections that go beyond the project itself. Real Science!

Helped me expand my thinking, to help students understand the importance of research that goes long-term

It was very informative to listen to Melanie and Louise describe the work they are doing with their classes. I am looking forward to seeing it on line. I learned so much

Got so many ideas from Melanie and Louise that I will use! Geo Maps!!

I am eager to look for maps on my town and am most likely to do something similar to M. McCracken's activity

Yes! Loved Melanie and Louise's Projects

I am planning to incorporate more on carbon calculations with our trees this spring.

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Thanks to all who joined in celebrating 15 years of Schoolyard Ecology with me at Lunch!

8 Schoolyard Teachers Honored for 

Long-Term Project Leadership

Anne McDonald, Toy Town Elementary School
10 Years

Colleen Casey, Trinity Catholic Academy
5 Years

Sally Farrow, Drumlin Farm, Mass. Audubon
10 Years

Lori Primavera, Trinity Catholic Academy
5 Years

Karen Murphy, Amherst Regional H.S.
5 Years

Robin Gurdak-Foley, Helen E. James Elementary
10 Years

Jana Matthei, Notre Dame Academy
5 years

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High School and Graduate Students, 

along with  Formal and Informal Educators Led Afternoon Presentations.  

Stoneleigh Burnham H.S. student , Bri Rook showed how she went about setting up  her individual project focussed on the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.  Woolly Bully Project Ecologist, David Orwig supported this effort by serving as a resource for setting up and interpreting her ambitious study.

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Woolly Bully Teacher-Mentor, Meghan Lena, shared how she mentored  her student, Bri  in fulfilling her International Baccalaureate  (I.B.) program requirements.
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LTER Graduate Student, Fiona Jevons  debuted our  Eddy Flux Data Nugget Activity 

All workshop participants took on the role of  High School students working in small groups to follow the instructions in graphing the simplified data set taken from Harvard Researchers William Munger and Steven Wofsy's signature Harvard Forest Eddy-flux dataset which measures carbon exchange between the tree canopy and the atsmosphere.   

Teachers said this about the Data Nugget:

I am very excited about gaining easier access to authentic data sets!  Although the information is good it needs rewriting.

I will use this in my climate change unit for AP environmental science as well as other units throughout the course.

I think if the text were simplified, I could use it in the classroom   

I will have my students graph the LTER data

I will use the whole thing in along with my Trees and Carbon Unit.

simplify it to tell stories about trees and carbon sequestration

I would use Version B with my students with moderate disabilities.

I would use it in my 7th grade classroom to teach data analysis and climate change

Yes. I think it is really great to have "classroom ready" materials related to the projects

Sally Farrow, Susan St. John, and Martha Slone shared the  work they've been
 doing with Schoolyard Projects  in Lowell Public Schools.

Glen Urquhart School Teacher, Emilie Cushing engaged workshop participants
 in a learning activity using  GIS maps of a schoolyard and town to calculate the carbon storage of
 forests in  that town.  This activity was designed to help students understand the impact of forests
on our landscape in broader terms than the data collection activity at their "Our Changing Forests
" schoolyard study plots. 

            

What Teachers found valuable in afternoon presentations:  

I enjoy hearing how the other teachers are using the protocols in their classrooms and I always come away with strategies to use in my own classroom.

The activities that Emily and Louise described were great.

I will take pieces from all, and tailor the activities to my particular "audience

Listening to Mass Audubon people share, getting ideas from Louise and Melanie!

The map plotting sounds intriguing. I also like the idea of planting trees. I had not thought about that. I wonder if my class can ask the school committee about planing some hemlock saplings along this stream near our playground.

hearing about the Lowell programs was really inspiring, it was also nice to hear about I.B.

I will figure out how to scale up the mapping activity with my students. I will have my students map our site and create questions similar to the exercise we did today on carbon sequestration.

I am now thinking of how I can use mapping and Data Nuggets in my classroom

STAY TUNED FOR:

Lightning Round Slides from Multiple Schoolyard Ecology Sites throughout the Region

Forest Cover Change Maps  Lesson Plans and Learning Activities 

Eddy Flux Tower Data Nugget final draft

Ecologist Presentations

Date for our Summer Institute for Teachers

Gratitude Notes