EMPOWERING STUDENTS

THROUGH A BIODIVERSITY
CURRICULUM
REYNALDO M. BAÑARIA, JR.
JHS Science Teacher
Middle school (high school) Science
teachers need a curriculum for place-based
education
Symbiotic Schoolyard Unit combines
biodiversity curriculum with habitat
restoration
5 Reasons to Restore Native Habitat in Your
Schoolyard
 Green space is good for mental and physical health.
 Campus beautification projects can help lift school spirit.
 You are nurturing a future outdoor “living classroom” that staff can
use.
 Students who don’t often thrive in conventional classroom activities
have a chance to thrive in this short and long-term project.
 This pocket of native plants will attract native butterflies, birds,
insects, and more, establishing a diverse wildlife habitat.
Potential Obstacles to Incorporating this
Biodiversity Curriculum
 Preparation requires longer time
 Identifying the restoration site
 Getting permission to restore it
 Finding an expert partner
 Acquiring funds for the native plants
 Irrigation
 Maintenance of the space