We hope you enjoy our monthly eNewsletter, spotlighting excellence in our programs, students and employees!

 

Project PRAIRIE is a partnership between Hull Prairie Intermediate School (Perrysburg), Gateway Middle School (Maumee), Chase STEM Academy (Toledo Public) and The Toledo Zoo.

The Toledo Zoo's Wild Toledo program has installed urban prairies on each of the school properties. As spring arrives, native plants will begin to appear and fill in the space. The students have been learning about the native plant species that have been planted and what should happen as the prairie matures over the next few years.

The Toledo Zoo's Education staff went to each of the schools and conducted inquiry experiments with all of the students - 800+ at HPI, 600+ at Gateway and 300+ at Chase. The students designed their own experiments using the QUEST Model (Question, Uncover, Explore, Start plan and Think hard about results) using invertebrates (Madagascar cockroaches, superworms and darkwing beetles), testing conditions the bugs prefer. All 1,700+ students entered their data and findings into a common Google Spreadsheet so that the Zoo and everyone involved could see the results.

The Zoo will return in May to assist the students with inquiry around native Lupine seeds to discover favorable growing conditions. After the seeds germinate, they will be planted into the urban prairies on each school property.

Pictured: Students show off their inquiry experiment involving cockroach behavior

Tanner Derr
Third Grade
Toth Elementary School

Tanner Derr, who is in third grade at Toth Elementary School, was responsible for choosing a famous person to research and report in the form of a live biography. Toth has a Mini-Wax Museum to showcase students’ projects. Tanner loves to wrestle and has even had the chance to see Olympic Gold Medalist Kyle Snyder wrestle in person at The Ohio State University, so he chose to focus his report on him. His dad told him that if he wants things in life to go after them, and so Tanner sent a note to Kyle via social media about his report and even invited him to the wax museum.

“Tanner received a video message from Kyle Snyder, and Tanner was over the moon to hear from his wrestling idol and role model!” shared Laura Short, Tanner’s Teacher.

“It was really fun to learn all about him and his wrestling records,” shared Tanner. “I learned a lot and I was not expecting to hear from him. When he sent me a video, I thought it was really cool!”

We’re so proud of you, Tanner!

Derrik Peterson
Perrysburg Junior High School

“What is a super hero? Someone who saves when you are in trouble, helps at times – even when you didn’t know you needed it – and is well-respected and admired by all. Derrik Peterson has been our super hero at PJHS. His knowledge of technology and ability to service over 800 student computers and classroom tech is an overwhelming job. However, those who know Derrik know he always has a smile, a kind word and a solution!” shared Kelley Treece, Language Arts Teacher, PJHS.

“At the junior high, we consider Derrik one of our most essential personnel,” shared Scott Buker, Assistant Principal. “In a time when much of what we do is centered around technology, Derrik has provided incredible support to teachers, staff, administrators and students. Derrik lives a life of being ‘on call,’ and he always assists with a positive energy. Derrik has been able to troubleshoot and use creative problem-solving strategies to ensure all needs of our school community are met.”


To suggest a program, student or employee for an upcoming Spotlight, please contact Rachel Zickar at [email protected].