Biodiversity on a square meter

Students mark a square in the grass and count all plant and animal species inside.

Steps

1. Conversation: what biodiversity is and why it is important.
2. Groups mark a 1 x 1 m (3 x 3 ft) square with string in a meadow and in a mown lawn.
3. Students count and photograph plants and animals, using a magnifying glass and identification app.
4. They compare the results from the meadow and the lawn.
5. They write their conclusions on a poster: what we can do to have more species on the school grounds.

Tip: A good follow-up is planting a wildflower meadow or an insect hotel.

Materials needed

• Magnifying glass for children (1 per group)
• Cotton string (1 ball)
• Tent pegs (4 per group)