NOTE:  2nd site could be at the Effigy Mounds National Monument if prior permission is granted by park ranger for placement of stakes and walking off designated trails.

1. Locate a place on the school grounds where a 10' x 10' section can be roped off.   Find another location nearby (or at Effigy Mounds National Monument) that is less-traveled and includes trees and much animal life.
   
   Note:  Permission to leave the designated trail and place stakes in the ground MUST be approved PRIOR to your visit by the park ranger.
   
2. At each location students should measure a 10' square using the tape measure and place a stake at each corner.
3. Tie the string to the stakes to mark off the sites.
4. Students should observe all plant and animal life in the areas.  They should also note any non-living materials, e.g. leaves, trash, etc.  Student findings should be written on the Observer's Log Sheet.
5. For plants such as grass or non-living materials such as rocks that may cover the entire area, students may measure off a 1" x 1" area, and count the number of blades of grass or rocks.  They can then multiply that number by 14,400 (the total number of inches in the site).  If grass or rocks only cover a portion of the site, then multiply the answer by an estimated percentage.
6. After observing the sites and recording the results on the Observer's Log Sheet, students will use data to create a visual aid such as a bar graph to show the Site #1 and Site #2 results of total numbers of plants, animals, and non-living things.
7. Lead a discussion using these or similar questions:
   • Which area had the most plant life?
   • Animal life?
   • Non-living materials?
   • Why do you think large numbers of species can't be found on playgrounds?
   • How do these findings relate to parks and the amount and kind of traffic that should be allowed to go through them?
     
     Students will discover that high-traffic areas, like playgrounds, have a few living things, but more non-living things.  The heavier-use areas will have a less diverse group of living things, and in fact, some living things may have become extinct.   This will demonstrate how important it is to protect parks and other natural areas.
8. Read the rules for the Effigy Mounds National Monument found in the teacher information packet.  Discuss why these rules are necessary, and what would happen if the rules were ignored?

Extension/Related Activities

1. Results of their observations could be included as data in a spreadsheet program on the computer.  This data could be organized into a computer generated graphic.
2. Collect and chart the same data during a different season and compare results
3. Do What's Right, What's Wrong? activity found in the Junior Ranger Booklet available at the Visitor Center.