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On a Wild Goose Chase: Investigating the Feet of the Hawaiian Nene
Read more…: On a Wild Goose Chase: Investigating the Feet of the Hawaiian NeneBy Shari Okada’s Second-Grade Class, Lihikai School, Kahului, Hawaii Editor’s Note: This post is a gem from our Dragonfly Magazine archives, originally published in Dragonfly Magazine in the September/October 1997 issue. It showcases how a classroom of young researchers can use simple observations to uncover powerful evolutionary truths. The Spark Whether you are hiding or…
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Cultivating Conservation at the Human-Dog Interface: Field Notes from The Bahamas
Read more…: Cultivating Conservation at the Human-Dog Interface: Field Notes from The BahamasBy Devlyn Stubbs My name is Devlyn Stubbs. I am a 46-year-old father of two and a graduate student at Miami University, Ohio. In December of 2024, I embarked on a study abroad course with Miami University’s Project Dragonfly in Oxford, Ohio. Project Dragonfly, in collaboration with the University of The Bahamas, facilitated a study…
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Ants on the Move: How Far Will Fire Ants Go for Food?
Read more…: Ants on the Move: How Far Will Fire Ants Go for Food?By the Seventh-Grade Class of Tim Jarboe and Jennifer Leahy, W.R. Coile Middle School, Athens, Georgia Editor’s Note: Originally published in Dragonfly Magazine in May/June 1997, this article from our archives showcases an incredible student-led inquiry into insect behavior right in a schoolyard. It proves that you don’t need a professional lab to do real…
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Do You Have to Leave the Classroom to Become a Conservation Leader?
Read more…: Do You Have to Leave the Classroom to Become a Conservation Leader?By Kevin Matteson The Problem: The “All or Nothing” Conservation Myth You likely chose teaching for all the right reasons: you love kids, you enjoy being an active part of your community, and you possess a deep desire to give back. Because altruistic people naturally gravitate toward education, it’s no surprise that so many teachers…
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Planting a Three Sisters Garden: A Lesson in Symbiosis from the Archives
Read more…: Planting a Three Sisters Garden: A Lesson in Symbiosis from the ArchivesBy Linda Kulas’s Fourth- and Fifth-Grade Class, Guilford Central School, Brattleboro, Vermont Editor’s Note: Originally published in Dragonfly Magazine in May/June 1997, this vintage treasure showcases how a classic Native American agricultural tradition can bring science, history, and community together in a schoolyard garden. The Spark What did people who lived on this continent five…
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Bridging a Language Barrier: How the Internet Helped Us Make a Friend
Read more…: Bridging a Language Barrier: How the Internet Helped Us Make a FriendBy the Multi-Level Elementary Class of Donna L. Clovis, Riverside School, Princeton, New Jersey Editor’s Note: This “vintage” treasure from the Dragonfly Magazine archives (March/April 1997) reminds us that even in the early days of the web, technology’s greatest power was its ability to connect human hearts across vast distances. The Spark We attend an…
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Does the Nose Know? Exploring the Secrets of Scent Communication
Read more…: Does the Nose Know? Exploring the Secrets of Scent CommunicationBy Joyce Arnold’s Fifth-Grade Class, Fairfield North Elementary School, Indian Springs, Ohio Original Title: Does the Nose Know? Editor’s Note: This inquiry is a creative treasure from our Dragonfly Magazine articles (1997) that captures the timeless curiosity of students as they bridge the gap between animal behavior and human biology. It serves as a wonderful…
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Skeletons from Scratch: The 24 Pipe-Cleaner Challenge
Read more…: Skeletons from Scratch: The 24 Pipe-Cleaner ChallengeBy the Fifth-Grade Class of Sue LeBeau, West End School, Long Branch, New Jersey Editor’s Note: This article showcases a classic inquiry from the Dragonfly Magazine archives, originally published in the November/December 1996 issue. It highlights the timeless power of student-led engineering and the “trial and error” of the scientific method. The Spark How many…
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Bridging Art and Conservation: From Digital Design to Diverse Disclosures
Read more…: Bridging Art and Conservation: From Digital Design to Diverse DisclosuresHow can a background in fashion and computer science lead to a career as a leading conservation illustrator? In this episode, Kevin Matteson sits down with Katy Tanis, an alumna of the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) and the creative force behind the Love in the Wild children’s book series. Katy shares her journey of “sneaking”…