Field Trip
Theme of Project Based Instruction Unit
Nutrient Cycles within an Ecosystem
Application of Project to Real-World Experiences
The challenge of the project is for students to create terrariums out of 2-liter bottles that are models for enclosed, artificial biospheres that mimic the present-day, natural ecosystems around the globe, which will become humanity's new homes in the face of any future changes Earth is bound to experience due to human activity. Because the changes described in the project challenge are happening now, students will apply their knowledge to a viable solution that address real-world problems. The field trip will allow students to compare their bottle terrarium to a large-scale enclosed ecosystem. Students will be able to directly observe butterflies, birds, plants, and other organisms coexist in a real-world, artificially-made vivarium. Students will also be able to see how the organisms and abiotic factors like water, air, and sunlight depend on each other to create a sustaining, enclosed environment.
Location of Field Trip Site
Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History, located at 1659 Museum Road Museum Road and Newell Drive-Dickinson Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392 - 1721
(352) 392 - 1721
Educational Resources that are Currently Provided at the Site
- Northwest Florida, Waterways and Wildlife – self guided visits
- Exhibit guides for permanent and temporary museum exhibits – assist educators planning a trip to the museum
- Teacher Training Program - These three-hour sessions support educators in planning successful school group visits, conducting inquiry classroom activities and deepening their science content knowledge.
- Butterfly Rainforest – Self Guided visits
Potential Educational Resources Embedded at the Site that Support the Unit
The Butterfly Rainforest gives students an example of a vivarium, an enclosed space that contains both animals and plants. This is similar to the bottle terrariums students must create for their final project. The field trip will allow students to directly observe and investigate the needs of the vivarium. Students can take these observations and compare them to their own terrariums. From these comparisons, students can make modifications to their artificial biospheres. In addition, students will be able to apply their new knowledge of the water cycle, carbon cycle, and energy transfer through an ecosystem to the Butterfly Rainforest further reinforcing concepts.
Rationale for Choosing Site
The Butterfly Rainforest provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn about the requirements needed to build and create an enclosed, sustainable ecosystem. Their observations from a real-world example can be connected to their lessons throughout the unit and to their project of creating their own terrarium. The field trip to the Butterfly Rainforest will also provoke interest and curiosity in the unit topic. In addition, students will see researchers and scientists at work, which can spark thinking about potential career opportunities. The field trip is also located in Gainesville, very close to the high school, and offers a great experience with a feasible cost. Because the exhibit is on University of Florida’s campus and developed by educators, scientist, and researchers, the information it provides is validated.
Field Trip Protocol
A field trip request form must be completed and approved by the school principal. Once approval is gained, transportation must be requested through the on-line field trip system no less than 10 days prior to date of field trip, which must take place between 8:45am and 2pm on a weekday. A minimum of one chaperone for every 15 students is needed and each chaperone must register as a school volunteer. In addition, students must have written permission by parents before the day of the field trip. Any money for the cost of the trip must also be collected and turned into the school’s bookkeeper before the field trip.
Cost
Bus Rental
$25 per hour (9-11am; 2 hours)……………………………….…..................…$50
$2 per mile (roundtrip: 8.6 miles)…………………..…………………...…..…......$17.20
Butterfly Rainforest
$4 per student (25 students)..............................................................$100
No cost for chaperones*
Total (for one class period)..................................................................$167.50
*1 free chaperone per 10 students (each additional chaperone is $7), but only 1 chaperone is needed for every 15 students according to protocol
$25 per hour (9-11am; 2 hours)……………………………….…..................…$50
$2 per mile (roundtrip: 8.6 miles)…………………..…………………...…..…......$17.20
Butterfly Rainforest
$4 per student (25 students)..............................................................$100
No cost for chaperones*
Total (for one class period)..................................................................$167.50
*1 free chaperone per 10 students (each additional chaperone is $7), but only 1 chaperone is needed for every 15 students according to protocol