Sunday Seminars: Invasive Species and Native Plant Identification

Today I had my very first opportunity within my teaching career to lead a two hour investigation with students in the field.  We are very fortunate to have a relationship with the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha campus which allows us access to their field station, a short distance of 4 miles from our school. Students expressed interest in alternative dates and times to earn project point hours and I offered students the opportunity to choose topics that they were interested in learning more about.  Today's session was entirely focused on identifying invasive species and native WI plants.

The lesson started out with a discussion on the difference between native and non-native species.  Students were encouraged to download the Great Lakes Early Detector Network app for their mobile devices in an effort to report invasive species.  We had the opportunity to visit and explore various different plant communities within the field station as well as visit Scuppernong Creek and Henrietta Lake that are also on the property.  I was amazed to find out that very few students knew the difference between a maple and an oak tree and that they couldn't pick them out initially by sight. This allowed us the opportunity to work through a dichotomous key as a team and by the end of our walk, students were getting the hang of keying out trees.  Despite the weather being cold and windy, it seemed to be a great learning opportunity for everyone.

Today's lesson showed me that I need to get my students outside more. Students need more exposure to the outdoors and the opportunity to explore and ask questions.  I'll be honest, I didn't even have to ask them to take notes.  This learning was FUN and it's how ALL learning should be. Along our walk we also saw various insects, frogs, and fungi.  I have included a few of our favorite findings above.  Today was an #eduwin. I am looking very forward to planning other outside learning opportunities in the near future.  I could not be more thankful for the opportunity to teach within my passion and outside of the walls of the building with having the opportunity to teach AP Environmental Science.


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