Using the School Grounds as a Land Laboratory

February 21, 2011
Soil and Air Temperature Data
Humboldt Garden
Mexico City

10:15
Plot Soil Temperature
(C) Air Temperature at Surface (C) Air Temperature Waist Level (C)
Exposure
1 13 20 22 Shade
2 14 19 18 Shade
3 14 16 16 Shade
4 14 17 18 Shade
5 9 20 19 Shade
6 14 18 18 Shade


11:30
Plot Soil Temperature (C) Air Temperature at Surface (C) Air Temperature Waist Level (C)
Exposure
1 14 42 32 50% Sun
2 16 27 29 Full Sun
3 11 20 22 30% Sun
4 10 22 23 Shade

6 14 20 21 Shade


2:00 pm
Plot Soil Temperature (C) Air Temperature at Surface (C) Air Temperature Waist Level (C)
Exposure
1 10 25 26 Shade
2 20 27 27 Shade
3 17 35 32 Full Sun
4 16 27 29 Dappled Sun
5 11 37 33 ¾ Sun
6 15 31 29 Shade






During the third quarter, seventh grade science students held their ecology lesson outdoors. In a forgotten corner of the school property, in between the MS library and the bus garage, grows the Alexander von Humboldt Botanic Garden. It contains plants native to Mexico that were discovered for science by the 19th century Prussian explorer. The species are all from upland Mexico and represent a typical community that might be found in central Mexico.
Here students measured some of the abiotic elements of an ecosystem. Posted on this page you will find the results from one day’s measurements. From this data we were able to draw some conclusions about microclimates and weather. Students also observed the biotic elements of the plot: they drew three different producers and searched for signs of consumers. Making first hand observations about an ecosystem helped to make the language of ecology come alive.
During our trip to Veracruz, students once again will perform a plot study, this time in a cloud forest remnant at the Francisco Clavijero Botanic Garden in Jalapa. In seventh grade we thus attempt to give students practice mastering the skills of measurement and observation. Analysis and discussion questions follow up and urge the students to think and reflect on what we have done. Beyond the science content, these learning habits are among the goals of the science program.

Tom Janota
May 10, 2011