2022-2023 We are just beginning our classes! We have thought about the drought and the effect that has had on our plants in the courtyard. We will take a closer look at plants that have survived and thrived in this environment. More to come!
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Can you suspend a grape in water, graph the drought in Massachusetts, bend light waves, create a solar oven, understand computer programming, use a 3D printer, explain bioinspiration, create bioplastics, or solve the problem of limited farmlands? We can!!
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What is BIODIVERSITY? Bio= living things Diversity= a variety
We wondered:
How biodiverse is the Proctor School?
Proctor School is mostly grass playing fields, hot top, and landscaped gardens. This is perfect for its purpose as a school. At the Stewart School, which is near the Audubon Sanctuary, they once had a Wild Turkey in the hallway! Here at Proctor we found 29 species including:
Plants:
grass, dandelions, clover, Daisy Fleabane,White Pine, Sugar Maple, Black Ash, American Sycamore, Pin Cherry, Weeping Willow, Cedar
Mushrooms:
King Boletus mushroom, a mystery mushroom, lichen
Animals:
Pillbug, Earthworm, snail, Daring Jumping Spider, Little Black Ant, Ring-Billed Gull, Crow, Black Capped Chickadee, Dark Eyed Junco, European Starling, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Vole
How does that compare to the town of Topsfield and beyond?
There are many more plants and animals in Topsfield. Some common animals include the White Tailed Deer, raccoons, skunks, and owls. We know that our findings were limited by the time of day we made our observations as well as the time of year.
We wondered:
- How biodiverse is the Proctor School?
- How does that compare to the town of Topsfield and beyond?
- What tools can we use to determine biodiversity?
- What affects biodiversity?
- Why is biodiversity important?
How biodiverse is the Proctor School?
Proctor School is mostly grass playing fields, hot top, and landscaped gardens. This is perfect for its purpose as a school. At the Stewart School, which is near the Audubon Sanctuary, they once had a Wild Turkey in the hallway! Here at Proctor we found 29 species including:
Plants:
grass, dandelions, clover, Daisy Fleabane,White Pine, Sugar Maple, Black Ash, American Sycamore, Pin Cherry, Weeping Willow, Cedar
Mushrooms:
King Boletus mushroom, a mystery mushroom, lichen
Animals:
Pillbug, Earthworm, snail, Daring Jumping Spider, Little Black Ant, Ring-Billed Gull, Crow, Black Capped Chickadee, Dark Eyed Junco, European Starling, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Vole
How does that compare to the town of Topsfield and beyond?
There are many more plants and animals in Topsfield. Some common animals include the White Tailed Deer, raccoons, skunks, and owls. We know that our findings were limited by the time of day we made our observations as well as the time of year.