Modules for Outdoor Classrooms
Creating a Schoolyard Habitat

University Park Elementary students explore the meadow at PPG Monroeville, PA
using the Team Monarch Field Journal (see below).

MODULES FOR ECOLOGY EXPLORATIONS ON-LINE 

To inspire use of corporate habitats and other natural areas for quality environmental education, the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), Three Rivers Habitat Partnership, ASSET, Inc., and Carnegie Science Center, funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and PPG Foundation, have created a unique series of modules for Wings of Wonder and other habitats.  Five curriculum modules, ranging from amphibians to native plants, are now on-line in PDF format for use by wildlife teams, schools, and other educators.  Several feature student field journals that can be downloaded for study visits, and all encourage exploration and conservation of the natural world in our own backyards and corporate landscapes.

Hoptoad Habitats (grades 3-5)
--designed by the Three Rivers Habitat Partnership and ASSET, Inc. to inspire a sense of stewardship and respect for amphibians, and empower students to take personal action to conserve their local habitats.  The core of the module is the Puddle Jumpers Field Journal, which leads students and instructors through an inquiry-based study of an actual vernal pool, or other wetland.  In addition, there are optional pre-and post-visit lessons to complement the study visit. Although designed especially for vernal pools, wetlands and other bodies of freshwater can also be used for the fieldwork. 

Team Monarch (grades 3-5)
--designed for the Wings of Wonder project by ASSET Inc. (Allegheny Schools Science Education Technology) and the Three Rivers Habitat Partnership for use in the PPG Monarch Meadows, or any similar large-scale native planting.  This module stimulates student inquiry about butterflies and other pollinators, and their connection to native plants.  A field journal features drawings of eastern butterflies to be colored as a field guide prior to the visit, as well as journal pages to lead educators and students in their field study. 

Team Flight (grades 3-5)
--designed for the Wings of Wonder project by the Three Rivers Habitat Partnership, Carnegie Science Center, and ASSET Inc. for use on sites with varied habitats.  This module is parallel in design to Team Monarch, and stimulates inquiry about migratory birds and their connection to various habitats.  A field journal features drawings of local eastern birds to be colored as a field guide prior to the visit, as well as journal pages to lead educators and students in their field study at habitat stations. 

Team Flight Migration (Middle School)
--designed for Wings of Wonder by the Three Rivers Habitat Partnership for use on sites with varied habitats to study the connection between birds and habitat, seasons and migration.  The core of the module is the Field Journal, which leads students and instructors through an inquiry-based study of habitat stations in both spring and fall.  In addition, there are optional migration and tracking lessons to complement the study visits, as well as enrichments such as nest box monitoring via a nest box camera. 

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SCHOOLYARD HABITATS PLANTED IN 2001: JOIN IN! 

When thinking of school grounds, most people conjure up images of swing sets, ball fields, and large expanses of mowed lawn.  But brush piles, nest boxes, wildflower meadows, and even wetlands are now a part of the schoolyard landscape at six Allegheny county schools. Thanks to a grant from the Pittsburgh Foundation, these habitats are outdoor classrooms that allow students to study local ecology and biodiversity without expensive and time-consuming field trips. These habitats also assist schools and teachers in meeting the Pennsylvania State Standards for Environment and Ecology by providing a quality habitat area suitable for education. 

Projects at each school vary based on the site. Examples include pollinator gardens, streamside gardens, wetland enhancement, shrub plantings, and bluebird management. If you are interested in developing a habitat at your school, backyard, or local park, let us and other TRHP partners help you!   In addition to the schoolyard habitats, TRHP specializes in habitats on corporate sites; visit the corporate profiles for more information or the Wings of Wonder page for a look at a project that crosses borders in more ways than one. 

Begin with our following on-line resources developed specifically for western Pennsylvania. Songbird and pollinator habitats are an easy project to begin with at nearly any school or backyard.  If you are interested in other wildlife, such as amphibians, birds-of-prey, reptiles, etc., contact us at 412-777-2464. 

Backyard/Schoolyard Habitat Planning
Meadows, Butterfly and Pollinator Gardens
Songbird Habitat

Participating schools include: 

• Bradford Woods (North Allegheny District),                        
• Poff Elementary, Central Elementary, and Wyland Elementary (Hampton Township),                        
• Wilson Elementary (West Allegheny), and                        
• David E. Williams Middle School (Montour).

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