Editor's Note: Since we first reported this story, NatureMapping moved from the University of Washington to become an independent foundation, which gave the program more freedom to integrate student field research projects and the latest technology for data collection and analyses. The Adopt-a-Farmer Project has been going strong for more than a decade, and now every grade in the Waterville Elementary School participates. Click here for an interactive map of all NatureMapping projects.
Technology Empowers Student FieldworkFourth-grade students make meaningful contributions to science through the nationwide NatureMapping program. More to this story.
Fourth-grade students make meaningful contributions to science through the nationwide NatureMapping program. More to this story.
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Credits |
Release Date: 3/8/2005
Video Credits
Produced, Written, and Directed by
- Ken Ellis
Associate Producer:
- Miwa Yokoyama
Editor:
- Karen Sutherland
Camera Crew:
- Robert O. Weller
- Michael Curtiss
Narrator:
- Michael Pritchard
Original Music:
- Ed Bogas
- © 2005
- The George Lucas Educational Foundation
- All rights reserved.
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Comments (12)
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Thank you for your advice
I'm glad you brought that up. I am taking students out to a local wildlife area for a summer science academy and we're going to be doing a pond study. I've been thinking of the advice I want to give them and I will definitely include this. We began studying ecosystems a few years back (same students) in our own schoolyard woodland, so they have been learning these guidelines along the way. It's been an enriching (almost spiritual!) experience for all of us!
very interesting --using GIS and GPS
I first heared of GIS and GPS six years ago. Now, they can use them in education. It is a great idea.
Not all Horny toads hatch from eggs
Pigmy Short-horned lizard (aka Horny toad) give birth to live babies mainly because they live in higher elevation and colder areas than the rest of the horny toad species. The rest lay eggs.
Horny toads
Horny Toads are hatched form eggs.
horny toad tracking
I'm the teacher in the video. This is a misleading thing in the video. When we go lizard tracking for "real",we do not run and we definitely return things where we found them. Horny toads are not found under rocks normally. we find them by slowly walking across a plowed field and looking very carefully. I think they wanted to show student enthusiasm.
Horny Toads
I have a question, are horney toads born or hatched?
A great idea, but as a
A great idea, but as a biologist I cringed when I saw the kids flipping rocks and not returning them to the position in which they were found. These rocks may be important cover to the lizards, and when moved the characteristics that might make them good cover will be altered. As young biologists, they should be taught that you leave nature how you found it!
Use of GPS and GIS technologies in elementary schools
Wow! I got involved in GIS and GPS use in college. I love seeing this technology used at such a young age. I am working on my MEd and Elementary Ed. certification. I look forward to using such technology with my elementary students in the future!
What a great way to get
What a great way to get students interested, excited and focused about learning. I am a student getting my Master's degree in elementary education. I have never taught in a classroom setting yet, so seeing things like this gets me so excited and motivated. I know it may not be easy but i cant wait to get my own students engaged in this style of learning some day. Keep it up!
As a current educator, I
As a current educator, I take my hat off to someone willing to take a different path not tied to a state or national test. The kids will never forget this experience and will always hold this teacher and the experience in highest esteem. Nice work!