Martin Public Schools GK-12 Project
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What's New?
September 2008
Martin has a new GK-12 fellow: Nikhil Jaikumar from KBS/MSU.
Some questions that Martin 5th graders are thinking about for Mr. Jaikumar's question board.....
"Why do strawberries have seeds on the outside?"
"How are pumpkins able to grow so big?"
Upcoming Activities
Measuring the effect of shading on chlorophyll levels in understory plants
Measuring the effect of plant density on radish seedlings
How do the numbers of predator and herbivore insects vary between annual and perennial habitats?
Earth Day 2008
Fourth and Fifth grade students at Brandon Elementary celebrated the 38th birthday of Earth Day by growing and baking "Earth Day Cakes." They pose below to display their decorative and tasty cakes.
Students Study Michigan's Endangered Species
Fourth grade students at Brandon Elementary are researching endangered species in Michigan. They are also evaluating the possibility of changing the state bird to the Kirtland's warbler and creating a state insect - the Mitchell's satyr butterfly.
Kirtland's Warbler Poster - by Kaitlyn Shoemaker
Kirtland's Warbler Letter to Governor - by Giovanni Eldridge
Mitchell's Satyr Butterly Article - by Ariana Henry
Mitchell's Satyr Butterfly Article
Students and Mrs. Kobayashi show their posters and letters drafted to encourage the adoption of a new state bird and state insect.
Kaitlyn Shoemaker and her teacher Mrs. Kobayashi hold up the Kirtland's Warbler Poster
Martin Student Projects in Newspaper
Martin students were highlighted in four newspaper articles during the fall of 2007.
- Barr, K. 2007. "Lawton students study, learn, experiment with MSU Scientist." Kalamazoo Hometown Gazette West, October 29, 2007.
- Kinsman, L. 2007. "How many grapes does Lawton really grow?" Paw Paw Flashes, November 11, 2007.
- Barr, K. 2007. "The science of partnership: Martin students team with MSU grad stduent to enrich science learning." Kalamazoo Hometown Gazette North, November 12, 2007.
- Shoemaker, K. 2007. "Kirtland's warblers only nest in Michigan." Kalamazoo Gazette Editorial. December 11, 2007.
Scientific Collaboration with Lawton
Students in Mr. Robrahn's 4th grade science classes are "science pen pals" with Lawton 4th graders, working together on science experiments. Students are asking science questions and doing experiments to answer their questions. Examples of projects include comparing corn grain yields at Martin to grape yields at Lawton, and finding out whether earthworms prefer to eat corn leaves or grape leaves. Check out our website here!
Field trip to the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station
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Martin 4th grade students took a field trip on April 17th to the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station (KBS). At KBS, they met their scientific partners at Lawton, saw where Mr. Wilke lives and works, and visited the Bird Sanctuary and Dairy Farm.
Project Plan |
The GK-12 Project at Martin Public Schools focuses on three main areas of science education improvement:
- Schoolyard habitat improvement and development
- Develop and test curriculum designed for schoolyard habitat
- Collaboration between GK-12 fellow and teachers to supplement existing science units
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Degree Program: Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Sciences / Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior
Email: wilkebro@kbs.msu.edu
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Community Partners
These community businesses have provided donations or discounts on items for use in the GK-12 Project at Martin
-Tollgate Gardens and Nursery, Bellevue, MI
-National Gardening Association and Home Depot
-Ferris Coffee and Nut, Grand Rapids, MI
-Plainwell Coffee Mill, Plainwell, MI
-Feed Bag, Richland, MI
-Peerebooms Greenhouse and Garden Center, Wayland, MI
-Van Bochove's Florist and Greenhouse, Kalamazoo, MI
-Allegan Math and Science Center, Allegan, MI
-Ebersole Center, Wayland, MI
-Kellogg Biological Station, Hickory Corners, MI
-MacVean Family, Martin, MI
Schoolyard Habitats
Agricultural Courtyard |
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High school, middle school and elementary students at Martin all participate in agricultural courtyard activities. In 2008, the courtyard will contain a pumpkin patch, three sister's garden, heirloom popcorn and watermelons, and American Persimmon trees, which are a sweet treat.
Agricultural Courtyard Map
Three Sister's Garden
American Persimmon Trees
Perennial Wheat Research - Martin high school students are participating with Mr. Wilke to do research on a new crop called perennial wheat. This wheat crop produces seed for multiple years without the need for replanting. |
Grants
Posters and Presentations
Cross District Scientific Collaboration: A Story of Two Fourth Grade Classrooms
-Presentation at the 2008 Michigan Science Teacher Association (MSTA) Conference
Martin Public Schools: Schoolyard Habitat for Ecological Literacy
-Presentation at the 2007 Backyard Habitat Series sponsored by the Allegan and Van Buren County Conservation Districts
Martin Public Schools 2007 GK-12 Program Poster
-Poster can be found hanging in the hallways of Martin
Inquiry in the Schoolyard: Activities that Connect Multiple Grade Levels
-2007 Michigan Science Teacher Association (MSTA) Conference Presentation
Science Question Board
Lesson Plans
Natural History Collection
Photo Gallery
Martin Public Schools Website
Martin Public Schools Profile
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