This multidisciplinary, inquiry-based project is based on a research problem related to prairie grasses and forbs. The open-ended problem lends itself to a variety of investigatory directions and is appropriate for students at all ability levels. SIMply Praire is a student research project that has the potential to link classrooms in areas where the prairie once flourished.
Students develop research questions with a special focus on the prairie plant population.
Students publish their data and their research study on the SIMply Prairie Website. As the project matures we expect classes will collaborate with other classes on joint research studies. The student data will be available to research scientists who encourage students to take an active interest in preserving and recreating native North American prairies. Teachers guide the student research study using the SIMply Prairie Website as the organizing structure. Quadrat Study - Information includes background, skill development activities, access to other data and how to report data.