Mrs. Weismann’s 2nd-grade students at Trafford Elementary School recently completed a Science unit on Animal Biodiversity. They explored animal classification and the traits that define each group. Students then turned their focus to habitats and how the surrounding environment affects what organisms live in a particular environment.
To supplement the Science curriculum, Mrs. Weismann acquired a classroom set of Mystery Science lessons, which provide a variety of science projects that will last the remainder of the school year. Funding for the materials came from DonorsChoose, a crowdfunding platform for teachers.
In their first Mystery Science project, the students enjoyed creating prototypes of bird feeders. They had to think about what kind of bird they wanted to come to their feeders, where the birds stand when they eat, how the feeders can keep birds safe from cats, and what materials they could use if they make a real one to hold together in wind and rain. They built their prototypes from cups, pipe cleaners, paper plates, and other materials.