The Tampa Bay area provides numerous opportunities for youth to study environmental issues and implement solutions rooted in science, civic engagement, and service learning. After careful examination and discussion, Mrs. Der’s class elected to move forward with a native species restoration project at Crystal Springs Preserve, a 525-acre property dedicated to environmental education and preservation of Florida’s natural resources.
Steps taken toward restoration of native plant and animal species at Crystal Springs included studying the gaining a better understanding of the environmental consequences of invasive species and selecting wetlands and uplands plants for cultivation from seedlings at on school grounds.
After obtaining permission from their school principal, students applied for and received a grant from the TECO Energy that they used to purchase supplies required to grow the native plants destined for Crystal Springs. In addition, the students negotiated donations of native plant seedlings and fertilizer from local businesses.
A critical element of their project included mentoring younger children (Head Start and 2nd graders). One of the tools developed by the students to share their knowledge of native and invasive species is a coloring book, dubbed Florida Unique Species (FUN) by these creative youngsters. Taking their desire to share their project with the community to the next step, Ms. Der’s Earth Force 5th graders read aloud to parents and students at Robinson’s Reading Night. Here, books about Florida habitat and native species were used by the students to achieve intergenerational learning. Students at FCAT Level 1 through FCAT Level 3 reading groups were included as readers/teachers for the evening.
The Tampa Bay area provides numerous opportunities for youth to study environmental issues and implement solutions rooted in science, civic engagement, and service learning. After careful examination and discussion, Mrs. Der’s class elected to move forward with a native species restoration project at Crystal Springs Preserve, a 525-acre property dedicated to environmental education and preservation of Florida’s natural resources.
Steps taken toward restoration of native plant and animal species at Crystal Springs included studying the gaining a better understanding of the environmental consequences of invasive species and selecting wetlands and uplands plants for cultivation from seedlings at on school grounds.
After obtaining permission from their school principal, students applied for and received a grant from the TECO Energy that they used to purchase supplies required to grow the native plants destined for Crystal Springs. In addition, the students negotiated donations of native plant seedlings and fertilizer from local businesses.
A critical element of their project included mentoring younger children (Head Start and 2nd graders). One of the tools developed by the students to share their knowledge of native and invasive species is a coloring book, dubbed Florida Unique Species (FUN) by these creative youngsters. Taking their desire to share their project with the community to the next step, Ms. Der’s Earth Force 5th graders read aloud to parents and students at Robinson’s Reading Night. Here, books about Florida habitat and native species were used by the students to achieve intergenerational learning. Students at FCAT Level 1 through FCAT Level 3 reading groups were included as readers/teachers for the evening.