Update
Volume 34, Number 4-December 2020
Henderson Recognized as the 2020-2021 Searcy School District Teacher of the Year
Southwest Middle School Fourth Graders Complete Virtual Scientific Research
With “eagle eyes,” Searcy Southwest Middle School (SWMS) fourth grade students and their teachers participated in a bird research project, in collaboration with Harding University’s (HU) Ecology Lab instructor, Dr. Patrick Ruhl. SWMS STEM Facilitator and teacher Sheryl McKenzie remarked that she reconnected with Dr. Ruhl to discuss changes to the SWMS Community Science Day due to COVID 19 restrictions. McKenzie offered, “It was through that disappointing topic that Dr. Ruhl made mention of his virtual-friendly research opportunity and invited us to join in.” She said, “Of course we were thrilled with the prospect of working on a positive, real-world, science project in the face of all the on-going adversity. Dr. Ruhl happily ‘took us under his wing’,” she said, smiling. In addition to this, McKenzie recruited her son, Patrick McKenzie, to assist by programming a computer to record footage and screenshots of the research site for both the HU and SWMS projects and to store this data online.
Located next to Harding University’s science building, the bird feeding research station is equipped with 2 bird feeders that are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by a nearby high definition camera. The University students spent time watching the birds foraging seed (millet, safflower, and black-oil sunflower) throughout the day for a couple of weeks before selecting a good scientific question, based on their activities and seed preferences. Their study was “to determine whether wild birds adjust their foraging strategies in response to changes in perceived predator pressure.” They filled one feeder with white millet seed and the other with safflower seed. The students watched an hour-long clip at the same time each day for a couple more weeks to “observe birds foraging in response to non-threatening (control) and threatening (owl decoy) objects placed near the feeders.” They found a significant effect of predator presence (or absence) and seed type on foraging behavior.
For the SWMS fourth graders, it was all about learning the basics of good scientific research and the scientific method. They studied how to ask specific questions, make good predictions and hypotheses, design an experiment, and collect and analyze quality data. Ms. McKenzie’s son, and biology PhD candidate, created a fun and motivational introductory video where he discussed the proper development of scientific questions and experimental design. Next, the young students viewed livestream video of birds feeding at the stations and suggested good questions relating to bird beak adaptations, foraging behaviors, and periods of high and low activity. Students finally settled on a question focused on just that: What time of day are the birds most active at the feeders?
At the research station, one feeder contained a round millet seed mix while the other was filled with black oil sunflower seed. McKenzie programmed a computer in his lab in NYC to take a screenshot photo of the feeders every 5 minutes from sunrise to sunset each day for two weeks and to store the photos online. Fourth graders formulated testable hypotheses before delving into the data. Next, they were each given a computer file folder containing a half-hour’s worth of photos (6) to examine. Students recorded the date, time, and number of birds on each feeder and in total for each photo. They also noted additional observations regarding beak adaptations of shape and size and related food preferences, and more. Once completed, all student data sheets were collected and combined to tabulate total foraging bird numbers per half-hour segments during daylight hours. Altogether, the students collected data from about 1600 pictures!
In the end, students were so excited to see and discuss their results which answered their scientific question. “A little birdie told me” that students found birds to be most active at the feeders between 5:00pm and 6:00pm. Did they just debunk the old saying, “The early bird gets the worm.”?
The SWMS fourth grade science teachers and students greatly appreciated the hard work and mentorship provided by Patrick Ruhl and Patrick McKenzie. Additionally, Ms. McKenzie commended her students on their hard work and tenacity, and remarked, “Our students were especially excited to be a part of this fine research project, and because these students got to contribute their own data to the project, they were highly invested in finding quality results. Students understood just how important their small contribution was to the project as a whole and that their part in it was valuable and meaningful. Evenmore, they all learned a great deal about conducting quality scientific research.” One of the young students reflected, “I LOVED this project because I liked seeing all the different kinds of birds, and what they like to eat most, and trying to figure out when they are most active!...I would definitely recommend this project for next year.”
SHS Key Club Shows Appreciation for Teachers
McRae Elementary Staff Participates in "Self-Care Challenge"
Mrs. Russell's Kindergarten Students Take a Stroll!
SELF-CARE CHALLENGE!
Dancing Makes Everything Better!
Sidney Deener Elementary School Celebrates Veterans
Deener Students Show Appreciation
Flags Line Sidney Deener Elementary School
Searcy Fire Department Raises the Flag
Westside Elementary School 2nd Grade Performs Veterans Day Tribute
Searcy School District Health Information
Searcy School District wants to remind parents that if their student is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, then they should keep their child at home.
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Searcy School District is committed to the health and safety of our students, staff members, and their families, and we will continue to be proactive in our social distancing and sanitation measures as well as keeping communication lines open. To report a positive case within the Searcy School District, contact Tammy Bishop at tbishop@searcyschools.org.
Holiday Self-Care Tips
Wal-Mart Distribution Center #6018 Donates to McRae Elementary School
SHS Cross Country Team Earns Runner-Up
Choudary Earns Top Spots at Arkansas Student Congress
November Shooting Star Award Winners
Leah Barber, McRae Elementary School Kindergarten
Meg Eddins, Westside Elementary School Special Education
Victoria McConnell, Sidney Deener Elementary Custodian
Ms. Victoria McConnell goes above and beyond her duties as a custodian for the district. She is always pleasant, positive, and shows respect at all times. She volunteers to help at other campuses and work late as needed. Victoria is a model employee for Searcy Schools.
Dee Dee Pettit, Searcy High School Administrative Assistant
Searcy School District Board of Education
Vice-President-Dr. Brent Blakely
Secretary-Dr. Chad Joice
Member-Jimmy Simpson
Member-Philip Williams
Superintendent-Diane Barrett
Searcy School District
Email: ssd@searcyschools.org
Website: searcyschools.org
Location: 801 North Elm Street, Searcy, AR, USA
Phone: 501-268-3517
Facebook: facebook.com/SearcySchools
Twitter: @SearcySchools