Pine View School: Where Blue and Gold Make Green!

Sustainable Activity: Pine View Nature Trail Tour

Teacher Sponsor: Torres

Project Timeline: October-December 2012 - 9 weeks of research and planning and 5 days on the Nature Trail with our Elementary Students as our audience

Students Groups Involved: 8th Grade Science and Grades 6,7,8 Global Green Group (G3) and Elementary Students (Grades 2-5)

Purpose of Project: This project was designed to help students build their knowledge about native, non-native, and invasive plant species. By increasing awareness with hands-on interaction, we are able to work together to increase our knowledge and understanding of the different plant types.

By understanding the plants around us, we can make the right choices about what plants and vegetation types are more sustainable in our local environment.

Project Summary:

The Pine View Nature Trail wraps around and through the school campus. Students are free to walk the trail during the day. The trail is unique because it has five different habitats: willow swamp, pine flatwoods, palm oak hammock, retention pond, and scrub habitat.

The project was a combination of scientific research, development of creative projects, public speaking, and fun on the Pine View Trail.

Over a period of 2 months, the 8th Grade Science students researched specific details about Florida native flora and fauna. Students identified the role of the plants and animals in the ecosystem, they identified taxonomy, medicinal values, and other current and historical uses. 

Students took technical science information and shared it with each other and the Elementary Students while on the Pine View Nature Trail. They showed their creativity as they planned out fun ways to teach others about the lessons that can be learned from our Nature Trail.  The days on the trail were filled with poetry, skits, music, story-telling, and scavenger hunts.

Conclusions: This project is an annual event at Pine View School and has been enjoyed by students and teachers for over 10 years. Students remember many of the things they learned in prior years as members of the audience, and they are very excited to engage in this hands-on way of learning more about our environment.