Newsletters (NWSISD) NWSISD newsletter - June 2015 | Seite 4

Weaver Lake fifth-graders plant prairie to attract pollinators For more than ten years, Weaver Lake Elementary has partnered with the University of Minnesota Monarch Lab to study and rear monarchs. While students successfully raised and released more than 600 monarch larvae the first year, the curriculum has been impacted by the decline in monarchs. As a result, students are keenly tuned in to the conversation around the decline of Monarchs and wanted to do something to make a difference. This year, with the help of a grant and maintenance support from the local Pheasants Forever chapter and the Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, more than 100 Weaver Lake fifth graders planted a half-acre plot of prairie at the school. This prairie was created to attract monarchs and pollinators. Local Pheasants Forever members have agreed to partner with Weaver Lake to help maintain the prairie for five years to help it become established. (Article courtesy of Osseo Area Schools) KARE11 features Weaver Lake Elementary - Monarch Mission: Maple Grove fifth graders plant a prairie Rockford Middle School seventh-graders partner with U of M Raptor Center RMS-CES students recently had the opportunity to visit the University of Minnesota campus to tour the Raptor Center, learn about bird banding, and experience a raptor lab in action. Students rotated through stations, which included raptor artwork, migratory birds, a lab, and an experiment dealing with the strength of eggs. Students visited with a local bird bander, who explained how banding helped scientists understand migratory patterns throughout the world. The raptor lab was a highlight of the trip for many students. Students also handled real birds and learned how the Raptor Center processes incoming injured birds. Rockford Middle School - CES have been working with U of M interpretive naturalist Mike Billington to develop lesson plans and experiences that will help students make connections while on the University campus, as well as continue learning from raptors at school. (Article courtesy of RMS-CES) The Raptor Center Blog - Rockford Middle School and The Raptor Center Edgewood Middle School 3rd Annual STEAM Showcase On May 29, Edgewood Middle School students took over the school during 8th period STEAM class with gadgets, widgets, robots, forensics, fishing, photography, ecology, dogs, aliens, and more! The STEAM Showcase introduces student projects that have been cultivated throughout the semester. A student in Science of Fishing created a hand “boot” out of neoprene attached to the fishing pole to keep your hand from getting cold. Alien Ecology students created panoramas of what alien life would resemble on a planet other than earth. Trash to Treasure class taught students how to recycle trash into works of art and even Plenko games! Do you have news you’d like to share with the NWSISD Consortium? Send your good news about what your students are doing in class, what innovative ideas you or your staff are creating in and out of the classroom to Krisanthy Sikkila at [email protected] NWSISD Program and Contact Information Melissa Jordan Executive Director 763-450-1307 [email protected] Sue Anderson Executive Assistant 763-450-1302 [email protected] Ayenna Davis Multicultural Educational Specialist 763-450-1331 [email protected] Candace Whittaker Family/Community Empowerment Specialist 763-450-1336 [email protected] Theresa Starkman Education Services Coordinator 763-450-1306 [email protected] Krisanthy Sikkila Communications/Magnet Specialist 763-450-1303 [email protected] Linda Ryden Administrative Assistant 763-450-1304 [email protected] Northwest Suburban Integration School District 9201 W. Broadway, #690 Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 www.nws.k12.mn.us 763-450-1300