Posted by Katherine Parisky, Associate Head of School and STEM Specialist at Birches School
On
Thursday, Birches School, an independent elementary school in Lincoln, MA,
hosted a visit by Boston University Professor Richard Primack. Professor Primack
spoke to 2nd-5th graders about how he and his lab members track climate change
by comparing the 160 year old notebooks of Henry David Thoreau with current
observations and climate data. They follow several indicators of spring arrival
in nearby Concord: the timing of birds and insects, flowering and leafing out
times of plants, and significant changes in temperature. Birches students were
especially interested in the projected changes in water levels and temperature
shifts that Professor Primack outlined as predicted for the next century.
Birches
students and teachers also shared with Professor Primack the details of the
People for Pollinators meadow project. We are working with the Lincoln Land
Conservation Trust on a citizen scientist field study, cultivating a quarter
acre of land with plants selected to feed and provide healthy habitat for
local pollinators. Two plots have been designed at the meadow site: one is
fertilized and the other is not. The hypothesis is plants that are grown in
nutrient rich soil are overall healthier and will attract more pollinators
compared to plants that have been grown in untreated soil. Our students and the
community at large will record meadow observations HERE.
We also showed Professor Primack our indoor plant lab and described our
micronutrient study of the effects of adding boric acid and manganese on
buckwheat plants. We enjoyed sharing our class projects with Professor Primack.
Background: Birches School is an independent, co-educational elementary school offering vigorous interdisciplinary academics within a mindful, nurturing environment. Our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) approach centers on nature-based thematic units designed to cultivate academic and social development and to encourage students' curiosity, creativity, self-reliance, and empathy. For more information: http://www.birchesschool.org
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