campus bioblitz

The purpose of the Campus BioBlitz Community Science Program was to conduct a biodiversity survey to collect data about the number of plant, animal, and fungi species living on the school campus. This project provided the opportunity for students to learn about the importance of biodiversity while experiencing what it is like to be a scientist. It was a community-building activity that brought students together across grade levels to achieve a common goal.

Campus BioBlitz Community Science Project Overview

Project: Campus Bioblitz Community Science Project

Location: Marion C. Moore School, 6415 Outer Loop, Louisville, KY 40228

Budget: $0

Materials: Used tools and materials that belonged to science teachers and the Environmental Science Program including insect nets, aquatic nets, hand lenses, binoculars, field guides for identification, clipboards

Participants: Middle and High School Environmental Science Classes, Science Classes

Description

The purpose of the Campus BioBlitz Community Science Program was to conduct a biodiversity survey to collect data about the number of plant, animal, and fungi species living on the school campus at Marion C. Moore School in Louisville, Kentucky. This project provided the opportunity for students to learn about ecosystem interactions and highlighted the importance of biodiversity. They gained experience conducting fieldwork and completing a biodiversity survey. Students shared data across classes and grade levels and worked in teams to design solutions to protect biodiversity and reduce the impacts of human activities on the environment. The BioBlitz was an experiential learning and community-building activity that brought students together across grade levels to achieve a common goal.

Students conducting a stream study to identify aquatic insects, invertebrates, fish, plants, and algae

Teachers birdwatching during the Campus BioBlitz

Organisms Identified During BioBlitz

Native Plants

Trout Lily (Dogtooth Violet)

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Queen Anne's Lace

Trillium

Broadleaf Cattail

Mayapple

Purple Coneflower

Coriopsis

Milkweed

Tulip Poplar Sapling

Red Bud

Goldenrod

Native Common "Weeds"

Dandelion

Stinging Nettle

Wood Sorrel

Violet

Nonnative Invasive Plants

Hairy Vetch

Purple Crownvetch

Oxeye Daisy

Wildlife

Fungi

Middle School Next Generation Science Standards

MS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

MS-LS2-2. Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.

MS-LS2-4. Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.

MS-LS2-5. Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

High School School Next Generation Science Standards

HS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

HS-LS2-1. Use mathematical and/or computational representations to support explanations of factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems at different scales.

HS-LS2-2. Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.

HS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.