Trail Experience
With this experience, students get the chance to learn about native and invasive species that exist along the trail at Graves Farm in Onsted Michigan. The trail offers a chance to explore hypothesis and observation skills as students try to point out various plants and animal species in our ecosystem. Students will learn the difference between native species that exist in our environment, as well as invasive species and what it means to be an invasive species.
The students get to look at different stops along the trail and learn about the tagging process and tree research that Adrian College students are conducting. The students also observe key processes in nature such as climax communities and developing communities. Students will learn the key differences between Poison Ivy and Virginia Creeper, as well as learn key characteristics of other plant species.
Students will leave this experience with an inside knowledge and be able to identify plant species in their own backyards. This ability to differentiate between native and invasive species can help them look at the health of the plant communities within their own backyards and within the nature around them.
The students get to look at different stops along the trail and learn about the tagging process and tree research that Adrian College students are conducting. The students also observe key processes in nature such as climax communities and developing communities. Students will learn the key differences between Poison Ivy and Virginia Creeper, as well as learn key characteristics of other plant species.
Students will leave this experience with an inside knowledge and be able to identify plant species in their own backyards. This ability to differentiate between native and invasive species can help them look at the health of the plant communities within their own backyards and within the nature around them.
Trail Research
Adrian College is currently doing research and tagging of many plant and tree species along the trail at Graves Farm. Their continued hard work and dedication to this project leaves us better able to determine tree types and recognize the amount of invasive species in the area. By looking at and collecting data from this trail over the next few years, we hope to have a better understanding of the impact of the ratio of native/invasive species.
Trail
Standard
Students will observe the native and invasive species that thrive in the Irish Hills. Throughout their exploration, students will engage in a variety of scientific observation techniques. |
Dichotomous Key
During this lesson students will learn how to identify different flora using dichotomous keys. Students will walk our trail in a group while taking part in a fun identification game! |
"I Spy"
l go on an "I Spy" adventure along our walking trail. Groups will be challenged to be the first to spy the next stop on the trail. Students must remain engaged and keep their eyes open to the nature surrounding them along the way. |
Survival
Students will take on the trail with a survival twist. Guides will present students with a variety of plants and other dangers found in the Irish Hills alongside edible plants and those with other potential uses. Students' knowledge of survival in the wilderness will be both tested and expanded upon along our trail. |
Benchmarks Covered
5-LS1- 1
Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water.
MS-LS4- 4
Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.
Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water.
MS-LS4- 4
Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.