GROUP STUDY FOCUS: 32 Urban Garden Butterflies
QUESTION: How many of the 32 Garden variety of butterflies can we attract (and identify) in the school garden?
(how or why question that may be answered through scientific inquiry. Example: How do ozone levels in Boyle Heights vary during the time of day?)
HYPOTHESIS: If the larval food source and the adult nectar source are grown on the school campus, the butterflies will also come to the school.
(A testable statement that answers the above question AFTER the initial background information gathering and discussion between group members. Example: Late afternoon hours have the highest level of ozone during a day.)
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:
Independent variable:
plant variety
The independent variable is the variable that the researcher manipulates or changes. For example for the ozone experiment, the independent variable is time.
Dependent variable:
number of different butterflies
The dependent variable is the variable that is being measurred. For example, the dependent variable for the ozone example is the amount of ozone in parts per million.
Confounding variables:
Student observation and sampling methods. Birds preying on larva and butterflies.
These are variables which may confuse results if not considered and controlled - same sampling area, same sampling methods, same sample size, same observation methods. If procedures are followed closely, then most of these will be of no concern.
Equipment needed:
guide to butterflies and their plants, plants, soil, nets, butterfly identification charts; Butterfly Dreams
Procedures:
Identify all species of butterflies that presently visit the school garden. Match them to host plants. Plant other host plants and record data by catch, identify and release records. Chart the variety of butterflies.
DATA GENERATION:
Sample size: school gardens butterflies
Number of samples: catch and release weekly for one year
Unit of measurement: number of urban butterflies sighted; 32 possible
(ex. parts per thousand (ppt), parts per million (ppm), etc.)
Table and graph design: Draw representations below:
32 Urban Butterflies and their nectar and larval food source, date sighted
Butterflies In The City is a part of LAEP Learning Exchange.