Basic experimental design: modeled after research at the

1. Kellogg Biological Station’s GK-12 Schoolyard Research Network: Bringing Fellow Expertise to Classrooms and Engaging Fellows, Teachers, and K-12 Students in Sustainable Inquiry Activities K Basic experimental design: modeled after research at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) B ioEnergy BEST S The usTainability Schoolyard block of 8 research plots (3x3m each) schoolyard experiment Experiment fertilized or not fertilized Three treatment variables: mixed prairie vsswitchgrass harvested vs not harvested fertilized vs not fertilized 304 research plots established at 22 schools across the BEST Schoolyard Research Network in diverse soils, microclimates & landscapes covering 1750mi2 in SW Michigan. prairie prairie switch switch prairie prairie switch switch Biomass harvested or not harvested • Can we grow our fuel and our flowers and butterflies too? • Our global hypothesis: There are tradeoffs that will force compromises, but by understanding the basic ecological and social processes at play we can get good bioenergy production while sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem services at socially acceptable levels. Students, teachers, and Fellows conduct inquiry science that mimics GLBRC, LTER, and Fellows’ research using common protocols, and submit data to the GK-12 team via google docs forms. Participants can access data collected across the research network to address their own questions and make comparisons to other classes, districts, and data collected by GLBRC and LTER scientists. Students can access data from across the research network to ask their own questions: Here we show preliminary evidence from two districts showing that soil properties may matter for ecosystem productivity and diversity. Gull Lake Schools Plainwell Schools Fellows use their scientific knowledge and skills to engage students in projects on the schoolyard plots, integrate long-term inquiry-based research into their classes, and design materials that will make research on the BEST plots sustainable beyond the life of our GK-12 grant. Sample protocol for plant biomass developed jointly by GK-12 Fellows and Partner Teachers – conducted annually Sample google docs data form where students, teachers, and Fellows enter data collected on the “BEST” plots