Ecology project for backyard explorers
MARCH 2009
The Queensland Museum is encouraging students to become backyard explorers and take part in an online habitat study of their local area.
Backyard Explorer learning resource
Museum Regional Services Director Deborah Tranter said Backyard Explorer was an ecological study developed specifically for schools to encourage students to find out what native animals lived in their school grounds.
Mrs Tranter said the learning resource enabled students to assess schoolyard biodiversity and the effect of human impact using data from insect trapping.
'The project, targeted to the middle phase of learning, teaches students scientific research methods used by Queensland Museum scientists,' she said.
'The user-friendly resource guides students in collecting, identifying and analysing data about the biodiversity in their schoolyard or close-by environmental area.
'Students then collate their data and share findings on the web through Education Queensland's The Learning Place with Queensland Museum entomologist Dr Chris Lambkin offering support and advice through a blog on The Learning Place site.'
Museum scientists are confident students participating in the project will find new and interesting species with one spider already found in an unusual location.
Mrs Tranter said the project, a partnership between Queensland schools, Queensland Museum and The Learning Place, takes at least four weeks to complete.
Schools already involved include Ferny Grove, Albany Creek and Nerang State High Schools; Crows Nest, Eromanga and Babinda State Schools; and Charleville School of Distance Education.
Some school reports have been posted on the Wild Backyards virtual field trip project room 
Also visit the Backyard Explorer learning resource
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