Science Education News (SEN) Journal 2017 Volume 66 Number 4 December 2017 | Page 60

YEARS K–6 IDEAS FOR THE CLASSROOM The Butterfly Garden – Stage Two (continued) There was extensive use of measurement; both through aerial photography via a DJI Phantom Drone, and scale and grid tasks that calculated the area of the garden and path. This then evolved into a volume activity for more capable students, as the depth of mulch and crushed concrete were calculated. It is important to note that while all students had an introduction or refresher to area and square metres, for example, I then targeted students that were stretching themselves to explore volume and cubic metres. A daily watering regime was added to the class task list, and deep saucers were added for birds and to provide water for butterflies. As the area was established it was used for nature sketching, quiet time, reading and sensory awareness activities by the class. A variety of children's diagrams representing the Garden space The students used websites to source local materials, cost the materials and to then ring the landscape company to place the order. They actually used the school credit card under my supervision (I had the cv number) to ring and talk to the supplier and arrange the delivery! The students mapped access to the area. At the design stage; students helping to plan what will become the Butterfly Garden Highlights of the project included in-depth research into local butterflies, and suitable host plants. The class explored colour and the types of colour needed to attract butterflies. Interestingly, while we initially focused on local plant species and native butterflies, the monarch butterfly and the need for the milkweed plant to support it were identified. We sourced milkweed, and this aspect has been the most successful, albeit with some winter wind damage to the milkweed. Propagating more milkweed plants is now also a focus. In late summer and autumn earlier this year we began to see monarch butterflies in the garden. With some of the students that participated in the PBL project we carefully examined the milkweed plants, which act as a host for egg- laying and monarch caterpillars. Not only did we find quite a few eggs on the leaf tips but also fifteen or so caterpillars in varying stages of maturity. The kids were totally over the moon with the evidence of success, and at seeing a natural life-cycle occurring in the habitat that they had helped create! Importantly, the project part one all came together as students physically engaged with, and enjoyed the gardening – from clearing weeds, moving barrow loads of mulch and pouring crushed aggregate to make the path. The area came to life as the seedlings and young plants began to mature. We are looking forward to monitoring the health of the garden and the number of monarch butterflies that mature. The garden is continuing to be popular with my classes for nature sketching and quiet time, and is also being dedicated as a Year-6 quiet area during breaks. Students also followed a product procedure to assemble timber benches, so that the area was a welcoming learning space. 60 SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 66 NO 4