Seventh grade students have been studying local bird populations and working to answer the question "where have all the birds gone?"

In partnership with Oxley Nature Center and the Ed Darby Foundation, Monroe science teacher Jackie Brewer, Booker T. Washington science teacher Amy Bracher, and Dr. Jen Miller, science content manager, designed this STEM project to encourage students to reflect on how changes in the ecosystem affect birds in Oklahoma.

The project kicked off in February with students participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count, an annual event that invites people around the world to identify, count, and submit the tally of birds in their area.

Then, in April and May, science teachers took their classes outdoors equipped with binoculars, an Oklahoma bird guide, and the Merlin Bird ID app, which allows them to identify birds by sound, to look for birds. Students also took time to assess the habitat around their school to see what could be done to increase the number of non-invasive birds, including adding shelter and water sources.

Students from Monroe even had the opportunity to visit Oxley Nature Center and explore the preserve with nature guides. They learned about native plants and wildlife and spotted several types of birds, as well as deer, butterflies, snakes, and turtles!